AbdulRaheem Aodu
As a result of Monday’s bomb explosion that killed over 200 people at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has called on government at all levels to partner with the traditional and religious institutions in the country to “quickly end the killings.”
JNI called for more commitment to education among Muslims saying it planned to collaborate with donor agencies and friendly countries to establish skill acquisition and vocational centres for the teeming Muslim youth, while it would work with government to run the 125 integrated almajirai schools to address the menace of street begging among Muslim children.
Speaking in a communiqué signed by JNI Secretary General, Dr Khalid Aliyu, issued at the end of its annual Central Council Meeting yesterday in Kaduna, the Islamic body urged Nigerians to put ethnic and religious sentiments aside and come together with government to find lasting solution to the “senseless violence and killings that has turned the country into a theatre of bloodshed.”
The meeting commended the leadership style of JNI President General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in uniting Muslims and promoting mutual respect, tolerance and understanding amongst them.
It said: “Government, at all levels, should take all necessary measures to provide security to all the citizens. It was considered necessary for the government to join hands with traditional and religious leaders.
“JNI will continue to cooperate with the government at all levels in dealing with all insecurity situations according to the laws of the country. We must be more proactive in dealing with issues so as to contend them before they become problematic. JNI should be more decisive and firm in addressing all issues affecting Islam and Muslims.”
To reduce poverty among Nigerian Muslims, the Council urged the Muslim community to focus most on establishing zakat and Awqaf institutions and ensure their proper management for economic development.
The meeting thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his support, and called on Muslim groups and individuals to join hands with the Sultan in working towards ensuring the much-needed unity, peace, stability and development of the country.
