▪︎ Says Muslims, first to engage the insurgents’ strange ideology
▪︎Islamisation claims, mere political statement
▪︎ Our children risk being victims of bad influence without parental attention
In this exclusive interview with Muslim News’ Publisher, RASHEED ABUBAKAR and crew photographer, ADENIYI ABDUL WAHEED, at his Abuja office on Friday, February 27, one of the 3 Chief Imams of the National Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh (Dr.) MUHAMMAD KABIR ADAM addressed a number of burning issues including Boko Haram, misrepresentation of Islam, maintenance of the 25,000 capacity national mosque, parental responsibility and Sultan of Sokoto’s quest for one United Nigeria regardless of religion, tribe and geographical location.
Read excerpts from the interview below:
Why is Islam misrepresented in the media?
First of all, there is no doubt about the fact that Islam is a religion of peace. It is also a religion of knowledge and understanding. So, in the absence of knowledge, of course, misconceptions and misrepresentations arise. The ignoramuses among us are responsible for the misconceptions created about Islam. They’re using the media to propagate the wrong misrepresentation of Islam among their ignorant audience, even among Muslims. Otherwise, Islam is a religion of peace and understanding.
In fact, Islam respects every other faith. So, for non-Muslims, there should be no fear of Islam. If somebody did wrong and it was a coincidence that such person is a Muslim, his wrong does not represent Islam in any way whatsoever. In every society among humans, there is always the good, the bad and the ugly. These are human beings. So, if somebody becomes an armed robber and ia unfortunately found to be a Christian, this does not mean that all Christians are armed robbers.
The same way and manner, if it happens that a Muslim becomes an armed robber, that does not mean that all Muslims are armed robbers. So, misrepresentations of Islam have nothing to do with Islam. Islam stands as the religion of Allah that preaches peace, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
In fact, the Noble Qur’an says:
“O you mankind, surely We created you (out) of a male and a female, and We have made you (into) races and tribes that you may get mutually acquainted. Surely the most honorable among you in the Providence of Allah are the most pious; surely Allah is Ever-Knowing, Ever-Cognizant.” Q49: 13 This is Islam.
How true is the allegation that the Muslim community didn’t publicly condemn Boko Haram when it started its killings about a decade ago?
I have heard people saying this but it is not true because I remember that when this insurgency started, many Islamic scholars engaged them (the leaders of the insurgent group), telling them their actions were wrong and totally unIslamic, so many times.
For example, late Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmoud Adam told him (Shekau) in so many instances and places, including Maiduguri and even at Saudi Arabia that what he was doing was wrong. He wasn’t afraid to say it to his face and he (Shekau) should have admitted his wrongs, instead, he vowed not to abandon his strange ideology.
But what happened?
Watch out for the full interview in the March/April 2020 edition of Muslim News. Consider a kind donation to support our journalistic effort. Donate HERE
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