By Akinwale Kasali
Hate preachers must be held accountable
A shocked top Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Musa Khalid, has called for the arrest and prosecution of Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over his hate speech against Christians.
The unguarded public speech of Sheikh Jingir, during which he referred to Christians as “infidels”, has has continued to generate reactions across Nigeria.
Shocked by the intensity of his hate speech, not a few religious leaders public figures and associations have called for his immediate arrest and prosecution.
Aside from his unfortunate outing, worrisome too was the that at least four State Governors, including those of Kano, Kaduna and Niger States were present.
But Sheikh Musa Khalid, former Chief Imam of the Apo Legislative Quarters Central Mosque, Abuja, has called for Jingir’s prosecution, and urged security agencies to hold him accountable over his inflammatory preaching that could lead to religious bigotry and hatred.
The condemnation of Sheikh Jingir by Sheikh Khalid has been applauded as netizens says that his action shows that he is against the fanning of the ember of hatred along religious line.
Sheikh Khalid described the alleged remarks as painful and unacceptable, particularly because they were reportedly made in the presence of State Governors who had sworn to uphold peace, fairness and security in their respective states.
Speaking on a Radio programme on Raypower FM, the former Chief Imam called for the reprimand and prosecution of Jingir, warning that allowing religious leaders to make inflammatory statements without consequences could further endanger Nigeria’s fragile religious harmony.
“It is painful. The more some search for peace and religious harmony in this country, the more some others intentionally scatter it. Should such individuals be left alone to keep spreading hate, raising tensions? That should not be.
“We should behave as a people with governing laws, that there were Governors in that gathering makes it more shocking and disappointing. Why did they allow that? They even nodded and clapped like others. How can we have social cohesion, peace and harmony?
“Those who use religious teachings to threaten others must be made to account for their careless words.
“That Sheikh does not represent Islam. What he said is despicable and unacceptable. He has no right to call Christians infidels. The security agencies should not only caution him; they should do more,” he said.
He further stated that
the presence of political leaders at the gathering where the controversial remarks were allegedly made made the incident even more disturbing, stressing that Governors have a responsibility to protect all citizens irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Khalid called on President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to publicly distance themselves from Jingir and condemn the alleged remarks.
“The unity and peace of Nigeria should not be compromised at all. We have had enough of violent deaths in the country already. Someone has to say, enough is enough.
“As faith leaders, we must not promote Islamisation or Christianisation. Just be a good person. Preach peace, righteousness and togetherness. Do not incite anyone.
“Let us ensure that those who preach hate are severely dealt with according to our laws. Governors must not aid them at all,” Khalid said.
The Islamic Cleric specifically commended Niger State Governor, Umar Bago for warning against inflammatory preaching in the state and urged other Governors to take similar steps to prevent religious rhetoric capable of aggravating tensions.
“The Governor of Niger State has warned against such preachers in his state. All of them should take a cue and not clap or laugh when embers of hate and division are fanned,” he said.
The condemnation from Khalid has further added to the list of religious leaders who have call for the arrest of Sheikh Jingir.
Recall that Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church at a Press Briefing on Monday called for the arrest of Jingir for fanning the ember of hatred.
He also called for restraint and accountability, stressing that it was necessary for him to be called to order, arrested and prosecuted, that of it was a Christian leader that made such statement, there would have been ‘religious war’, and criticism coming from different direction, and immediate arrest of such Clergyman by the Department of State Security, DSS.
Rabiu Kwankwaso, Former Kano State Governor has also condemned the remarks,warning that religious and political leaders had a responsibility to promote truth, peace, unity and reconciliation, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Vice Presidential Candidate also stressed the need to dissociate the people of Kano from the controversial remarks, saying, “Such crudity does not represent the views of Kano residents.”
Following this development, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, has denied endorsing the controversial remarks, describing a viral statement purportedly issued by the organisation in defence of Jingir as fake.
It further stated that the purported statement did not emanate from it and called on security agencies to investigate its source and prosecute those responsible for fabricating and circulating it.
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