Cleric tasks religious leaders to unite against terrorism

From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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Religious leaders have been urged to campaign against terrorist groups who claim to be fighting to expand the frontiers of Islam in the country.

An Islamic scholar, Imam Tijani Dawud Igiogun made the call while delivering a lecture on Terrorism and Islamophobia at the sixth Ramadan lecture organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council in  Osogbo.

Dawud stressed the need for more prominent Islamic leaders and clerics in Nigeria to publicly denounce Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.

Quoting from Qur’an (60:8), which says Islam is a religion of mercy that does not permit terrorism noted that “God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your home. God loves righteous dealers”

He added that muslims are commanded to take lives of animals for food in a manner that causes the least amount of fright and suffering to know how Islam values life not to talk of human beings.

He cautioned media practitioners to be careful while reporting religion related issues and sensitizing the general populace of one another’s religious doctrines.

Imam Dawud charged all muslims to emphasize that Islam is a religion of peace that upholds love between their neighbours, peaceful co-existence and the sanctity of human life.

He called on government to address issues of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, marginalization and exploitation among others, stressing that if decent jobs were handy, disgruntled citizens that end up as terrorists may have a rethink.

According to him, “Islamic religion clerics should not get weary in tactfully trumpeting splendid Islamic values, love, justice, forgiveness peace, pacifism and sanctity of human life awith compelling hermeneutic.

Earlier, Chairman, Osun NUJ Council, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji appreciated members of NUJ and other  invited guests who deemed it necessary to attend the lecture.

Ayantunji urged the members of the union, especially muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan  to pray God to restore peace to some northern parts of the country currently experiencing security challenges.

Describing Islam as a religion of peace, the NUJ Chairman charged muslims to eschew any act capable of tarnishing their image.