• Cautions against rumoured deposition talks on Sultan of Sokoto
The national leadership of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) has condemned the attack on a Muslim family orchestrated by a pastor in Iseyin on Eid-el-Adha day.
The umbrella body of all Muslim women groups in Nigeria described the attack as callous and inhuman, calling for severe reprimand for the pastor and the soldiers he reportedly hired to inflict the mayhem on the family.
Speaking with Muslim News on Tuesday, June 24, the National Amirah of FOMWAN, Alhaja Rafiat Idowu-Sanni, who is currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of the NAHCON Ulamah Team for Hajj 2024, described the pastor’s action as heartless violence against helpless women.
According to her, “We are particularly disturbed to see the video of our sister in niqab (veil), who apparently suffered severe injuries on the head from the attack by the hired soldiers. This is a heartless violence against helpless women and we join other well-meaning groups to condemn it in totality.
“From reports, we also learnt that one of the brutalised niqab-wearing women is pregnant and even at that, was made to face indignant treatment by the soldiers. That is the height of insensitivity, cruelty and heartlessness.”
FOMWAN called on the federal government and relevant authorities including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army to serve justice in a timely manner and make the lawless pastor and his unruly hired soldiers face the wrath of the law.
Alhaja Idowu-Sanni said this will serve as a deterrent to others who want to toe the dishonourable path in the future.
“We also appeal to public-spirited individuals to assist the Muslim family to complete the fencing of their building. It is our belief that this will further protect them from unnecessary aggression in the future and reduce their exposure to security risks,” the National Amirah said.
FOMWAN appreciated the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and all other stakeholders for their roles, saying the rights of the attacked Muslim family must be protected.
• Cautions against rumoured deposition talks on Sultan of Sokoto
The Muslim body meanwhile also cautioned against rumoured deposition talks on the Sultan of Sokoto, saying that Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III has been a unifier and a bridge linking all Muslims in Nigeria together.
“We are currently in Makkah, about to go to haram to pray for our dear country when we heard the news. We also read that the Governor is saying it’s not true. We are using this medium to appeal to whoever is planning to make such move to resist all temptations to depose the Sultan. The Sultan is beyond a traditional ruler in Sokoto; he is the leader of the all Muslims in Nigeria, and we are immensely proud of his great leadership which is uniting Muslims on all fronts in the country.
“We pray that Allah will grant the Governor wisdom to manage this phase and direct his affairs. We want peace and do not support any move that will throw the country into chaos and violence,” the group said.
Urges FG to ease pains of Nigerians
Speaking on the economic condition of the nation, FOMWAN charged the leaders to step up policies that will ease the pains and deprivation being faced by people.
The group also urged the people to desist from cursing Nigeria and its leaders, stating what we need at this junction is to continue praying to Allah to change the narrative.
“Let us keep exhibiting patience and show more understanding for our leaders. After pain, ease will certainly come,” the statement read.