The Central Council of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has urged the federal government to move towards rescuing other innocent Nigerians arrested by the Saudi Arabian authority from being executed for alleged drug trafficking.
JNI’s call followed the rescue of Miss Zainab Habibu Aliyu of the North West University, Kano from Saudi Arabian authority and the arrest of the syndicate responsible for planting drugs in travelers’ luggage at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Speaking in a communique issued after its recent Annual Central Council and Pre-Ramadan meetings, as well as the Annual Conference held at its National Headquarters, Kaduna, with the theme “the Islamic solution to the menace of poverty, insecurity and the influence of drug abuse in the Muslim society”, JNI lamented the lamented the prevalence of drug abuse among old, young, male and female in Nigeria.
The communique jointly signed by JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu and Chairman, Conference Organising Committee, Prof. S. Junaidu said, “the Council observes with dismay, the prevalence of drug abuse which cuts across the strata of our societies; old, young, male and female. The Council is extremely concerned on why it is so easy for the vendors to get the substance across to not only towns, but even into households.
“The Council commended the efforts of the NDLEA on the arrest of the syndicate that plants drugs in travelers’ luggage at airports and applauds the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) for securing the release of Miss Zainab Habibu Aliyu of the North West University, Kano. It equally calls on the FGN to intervene on similar cases of innocent Nigerians arrested for alleged drug trafficking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a view to rescuing them from execution.
“Government at all levels should intensify fight against all forms of drug and substance abuse. Muslim scholars, parents as well as the traditional institutions are also called upon to rededicate themselves to fight drug abuse in whatever forms; spiritually, materially and morally. Change must start with the fear of Allah (SWT) and our resolve as leaders, parents, scholars and elders is to be role models for the younger generation.” JNI said.
The meeting presided over by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of JNI, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, also expressed concern over the condition of orphans, widows and other destitute languishing in various IDP camps in Nigeria. “Most Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are being taken advantage of, by ill-intentioned groups masquerading as humanitarian Organisations,” it said.
The Council however called for proper care of the IDPs and expressed hope that concerned and urgent attention would continue to be given to them by the government through programmes that would immediately alleviate their sufferings by addressing their challenges in a holistic manner, involving all stakeholders, including Muslim leaders and organizations.
It equally urged the Federal Government to take all necessary steps to encourage the IDPs interested and capable of going back and getting rehabilitated in their respective villages and towns, and to come up with a more humane and functional approach to cater for and rehabilitate the minors, widows and orphans who have lost members of their families.
JNI noted that, myriad of socio-economic challenges facing the Muslim communities globally, and especially in Nigeria, are largely connected to the Muslims’ neglect of the institutions of Zakah and alms giving and endowment funds, which had been effectively used as viable tools for economic prosperity throughout Muslim history.
“Despite the numbers of the well to do Muslims in the country, Muslims have not been able to overcome poverty and wretchedness due to lack of commitment to the institution of Zakat as ordained by Allah (SWT).”
It therefore called on all Emirate Councils, in collaboration with Muslim organizations, to start the process of establishing Zakah and Waqf committees and ensure their effective administration, while Muslim scholars should also embark on massive education and enlightenment of Muslims on the objectives of Zakah and Waqf.
The communique said that in spite of efforts by successive governments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and private individuals to combat the menace of the Almajiri system, the phenomenon keeps lingering. It urges that, “government initiative on the Almajiri schools needs to be strengthened. In consideration of the effective structures maintained by the Muslim traditional institutions as the custodians of Islam in Nigeria, the Council calls on the government to involve the Emirs in the proper management of the schools.”
While condoling the families of those who lost their lives and property in what it called senseless and primitive crisis in Zamfara state, as well as victims of kidnapping and banditry in Katsina and Kaduna states and other parts of the country, JNI asked the security agencies to brace up in its fight against the criminals.
“It sympathizes with the victims and affected families of reoccurring insurgency in the North East, especially Maiduguri, Borno state. That government and its relevant agencies charged with safe guarding the lives and property of Nigerian citizens should brace up to the challenge of the menace of kidnappings, armed banditry, and other forms of social vices bedeviling the nation.”
