By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Borno State Police command has convened a stakeholders meeting with the Ulamas, traditional rulers and media on the need to regulate Islamic preaching and do away with the use of abusive language and inciting words.
Addressing the stakeholders at a meeting in Maduguri, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Abdu Umar said ” this meeting is a fellow up to our earlier meeting held on Sunday with Governor Babagana Zulum and the inauguration of reconstituted Borno state Islamic Preaching Board, as well as the need to sensitized media and general public on the law”.
” As the Ramadan fasting commences there need for collaboration and partnership between the media and the police in editing and shelving any abusive and inciting words. Those of us in Borno are aware of the consequences of inciting preaching .
“Media plays a great role in enlightening the Ulanas and general public on the Borno state Islamic Preaching Board Act 2010 for the regulation of Islamic Preaching in the state.. The law was signed into law by the former Borno State Governor, Senator Aki Sheriff on 39th day of July, 2010,” Abdu said.
In his remarks, the Director, Department of State Security, Alhaji Mamman Murtala said ” Islam is all about peace, as such government cannot allow anybody to preach inciting words. This stakeholders meeting is to inform and educate general public on the Act and you (the media) are the centre of this meeting”.
” We need to bring all preachers and the media to help us in gate keeping all inciting and abusive words before it get to the public. There is a place for the regulation of religious activities in the state.. Preachers should avoid misleading and creating inciting world “, Murtala said
In his remarks, the Borno state Commissioner of Religious Affairs, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Hassan Abdallah said the ministry is mother body that regulates the activities of the preaching board.
“I want to assured you of the ministry’s commitment to support the board to actualize its mandate”, he said.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Preaching Board, Mohammed Shettima said religious matters are sensitive issue and he assured that the board will do everything to regulate the activities of preachers..
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