PHOTO: Acting National Chairman of the Council of Ulamas, Sheikh Dan'azumi Tafawa-Balewa,
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi-
Islamic Scholars under the aegis of Nigerian Council of Ulamas have condemned the ban placed by the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on popular Cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru and the closure of his mosque, saying the action was unconstitutional.
Recall that Governor Ganduje, last month, barred Sheikh Nasiru from preaching and leading prayers in his mosque as a result of a complaint over his alleged controversial preachings by some islamic clerics in the state.
Speaking to journalists during a press conference at his residence on Thursday, the acting National Chairman of the Council and leader of Tijjaniya sect Sheikh Dan’azumi Tafawa-Balewa, also described the action unjust and a breach of his constitutional rights.
He urged Ganduje to lift the ban and reopen what he termed “one of the biggest mosques in Kano state” in the interest of justice and fairness.
The Islamic Scholar stated that in the light of the provision of the Nigerian constitution which gives every citizens freedom of religion, Governor Ganduje should allow Sheikh Abduljabbar to go about his normal activities.
He said that the council, since its establishment in 1980, embraces all sects and various conflicting islamic organizations with the aim of creating unity through different opinions.
“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,” he stated.
Tafawa-Balewa said the banned Islamic Cleric’s case was a source of concern to the Council of Ulamas in Nigeria 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 opined that if Nasiru’s antagonists would be allowed to enjoy their rights and privileges of saying their perspectives and propagating their teachings and even verbally attacking him, restrictions placed on the Sheikh should be lifted.
He said: “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 Qur’anic injunctions in which Allah ordered him as a leader to do justice and provide level playing ground to all his subjects”.