Lift Ban On Sheikh Abdul-Jabbar – Nigeria Council Of Ulama Urges Gov. Ganduje
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Nigeria Council of Ulama’ has called on the Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State to as a matter of importance and concern lift the preaching ban placed on the popular Kano Islamic Preacher, Sheik Abdul-Jabbar Nasiru Kabara and his Mosque.
The Council said that the lifting of the ban would be in the interest of justice, fairness and in the light of the provision of the Nigerian constitution which gives every citizens the freedom of religion.
It therefore urged Governor Ganduje to allow Sheikh Abduljabbar to go about his normal activities.
Acting National Chairman of the Council and Leader of Tijjaniya sect, Sheikh Dan’azumi Tafawa Balewa, who made the call while speaking with journalists in Bauchi, stressed that the call became necessary in order to avert the aftermath crisis that may follow.
Balewa explained that the Council which was established in 1980 embraces all sects and various conflicting Islamic organizations with the aim of creating unity through different opinions.
He further said; “This fundamental right provided by the Nigerian constitution is in total agreement of the injunctions of holy Qur’an in which God says ‘No compulsion in religion.
“We have respect for conflicting opinions and we stand to promote dialogue and understanding amongst all Muslims conflicting organizations”.
Sheik Balewa said that Sheik Abduljabbar’s case was a source of concern, adding that the dialogue earlier scheduled by the Governor between Abduljabbar and other clerics was a good step but lamented that it was stopped by a court.
He however said that if Abduljabbar’s antagonists can be allowed to enjoy their rights and privileges of saying their perspectives and propagating their teachings and even verbally attacking him, then it is only proper that the restrictions placed on the Sheikh should be lifted.
The Chairman, Council of Ulama added; “We humbly appeal to the learned governor and experienced politician, Ganduje, whom we respect and cherish to peruse and learn to adopt the application of the Quranic injunctions in which Allah ordered him as a leader to do justice and provide level playing ground to all his subjects”.
Governor Ganduje recently banned Sheikh Abduljabbar from preaching and leading prayers in his mosque as a result of a complaint over his alleged controversial preaching by some Islamic clerics in the state.
