- The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has accused the Christian Association of Nigeria of being intolerant
- It explained that the Sukuk bond issued by the federal government was being adopted by non-Muslim countries
- The group advised Imams to preach peace to their followers
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of intolerance over the issuance of Sukuk bond by the federal government.
CAN had released a statement describing the issuance of Sukuk bond by the federal government as an attempt to islamise the nation and sell the country to the Arab nation.
Salisu Shehu who is the deputy secretary general of the NSCIA in a statement said the Sukuk bond has been used by non-Muslim countries.
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He said: “CAN cannot claim ignorance about the fact that even the World Bank has been involved in issuing SUKUK and the floating of SUKUK Bonds. Interestingly also, several non-Muslim countries across Africa, Europe and Asia have also instituted Islamic Financial System generally and SUKUK in particular. Worthy of mention here are Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Russia, China, Singapore and a number of firms in the United States.
“Less than two years ago, Britain hosted a World Conference on Islamic Banking and Finance and David Cameron, the then British prime minister, openly declared that their intention was to make UK the hub of Islamic Finance in the World.
“It would certainly be embarrassing for CAN to be told that the first and foremost state in Nigeria to submit application for loan to the Islamic Development Bank is a Christian-dominated state in the South-East.”
The NSCIA said the culture of mutual understanding, tolerance, had kept Nigeria together.
“This has been the factor that made Muslims to tolerate several practices or things that are essentially Christian in nature and outlook, in substance and form and indeed in principle and practice, but imposed on us.
“We have not been talking of Christianization because Sunday has been forced on us as a work-free day, or the Cross as our hospital sign and symbol, our membership of the International Red Cross, and many other things including almost all the titles of the heads of academic institutions (Chancellor, Provost, Dean, Rector, etc.).
“Despite this remarkable tolerance from Muslims over the years, CAN appears to be increasingly becoming Islamophobic and paranoid about its hate and intolerance of Islam, casting aspersions, unnecessarily overheating the polity and unjustifiably creating fear and distrust in the minds of peace-loving citizens of our great country.
“We are poised to advise CAN to, in the spirit of Biblical injunctions, uphold the truth for its sake and tread the path of honour and refrain from statements capable of causing disaffection and promoting disharmony that may lead to conflict in the country.”
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The group called on Imams to use their sermons to preach tolerance and forgiveness.
The group added: “Our Imams should tell our Muslim brothers and sisters that they should not in any way try to retaliate the unwarranted attacks and killings of Muslims in the South-East on innocent Igbo citizens within their localities or neighbourhoods with whom they are living peacefully and harmoniously.
“That is the injunction of the Qur’an and must be complied with. Allah says in the Qur’an, chapter 60, verse 8 that:”Allah does not forbid you to be kind and just to those who did not fight against you on account of religion, nor drove you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are equitable.”
NAIJ.com had reported that CAN warned the country’s government against Islamising Nigeria through the back door with the floating of the Sukuk Islamic bond.
In a statement by the Christian body, the Sukuk bond is nothing but an avenue to Islamise the country and sell it to the Arab nations.
The statement, signed by CAN’s general secretary, Rev Musa Asake, and released in Abuja, is asking that the laws and framework behind the bond be stopped immediately.
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Source: Naij.com
ROSY CREST
Friday, 22 September 2017