More reactions are trailing the recent comment of a popular Islamic cleric in Kano state, Sheik Sona Jingir who described Nigerian Christians as infidels.
The cleric made the remark recently at a political event organized by the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC in Kano state, which had the state governor, Kabiru Yusuf in attendance.
Since he made the comment, the Islamic leader has received serious criticism from not a few Nigerians, who warned that such comment is capable of sparking religious crisis in the country.
Reacting, the umbrella body of christians in the country, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN described the cleric’s language as offensive and potentially dangerous, warning that such statements could deepen religious divisions and create an atmosphere capable of encouraging hatred and violence.
The Northern chairman of CAN, Rev. John Hayab, while condemning the comment said the circumstances in which the cleric made the remark made it more troubling.
Hayab spoke during an interview with Channels Television on Monday in his reaction to a viral video of Jingir’s making the remarks.
The CAN leader described the language used by the Islamic cleric as offensive and potentially dangerous, warning that such statements could deepen religious divisions and create an atmosphere capable of encouraging hatred and violence.
He also questioned why the remarks were not immediately challenged, particularly because they were allegedly made in the presence of political leaders.
“The man did not say it in his room; he said it in the presence of three governors, and they were all smiling. This is an action that should have been rebuked instantly,” Hayab said.
CAN Draws the Line
Despite its criticism of Jingir, CAN said it was not opposed to Muslims supporting Muslim candidates.
Hayab stressed that political support based on a candidate’s competence, character or political record was legitimate. What he rejected was the use of religious identity as a weapon against another faith.
According to him, describing Christians in derogatory terms could further damage relations between Nigeria’s religious communities.
He also called on the government to respond more firmly to inflammatory religious rhetoric, warning that silence could embolden individuals who make statements capable of threatening national peace.
“We must call out people like Jingir and the man in Kano who wants to sack every Christian. We must call them out so the government can act responsibly,” he said.
Meanwhile, the remark has also drawn sharp criticism from some Muslims and Islamic leaders in the country, who said the clerics opinion is not a true representation of the Muslim community in the country.
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