EXTREMISM : Nigerians Caution To Be Wary of Divisive Activities of Religious Extremists
From Umar Dankano,Yola.
Nigerians have been cautioned to be wary of religious extremists masquerading in the name of propagating Divine teachings rather creating more divisive and disaffection among the people.
Resource persons (Scholars) gave the caution at a three-day workshop organised for fifty (50) media executives and Journalists by Dar Al-Andalus Centre on shariah intelligence,constructive alternative narratives,peace and ethical journalism in Adamawa state.
In his welcome address,Project Manager of the centre,Ja’afar Isa Dauda said the training was aimed to equip journalists with the correct provisions of the holy scriptures used by extremists to perpetrate their atrocities under the guise of Divine commandments.
Dauda explained that peaceful coexistence of Nigeria’s populace is beyond any self serving ideologies of any individual or group noting that, these extremists claims are nothing more than misrepresentation and misinterpretation of holy scriptures just to cover up their ungodly activities in the name of religion.
Sheikh Mansur Isah Yelwa in his presentation titled ‘Alternative Narratives’ and the role of journalism in the prevention of Extremism and violence said all the killings mated on innocent people by extremists groups like Boko Haram terrorists and Al-shabab in Africa are not permitted by the Islamic religion tenant.
Sheikh Yelwa stated that the extremists are always misinterpreting the Quran and teaching of the prophet Muhammad (SAW) to justify their actions against Muslims and Non Muslims who don’t toe to their line who they labeled as “infidels ”
He categorically advanced that Islam encourages peaceful coexistence and dialogue with adherents of other religions as exhibited by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during his lifetime in Mecca and Madinah contrary to hard posture of the extremists.
Another scholar in his presentation “Alternative Narrative with focus on Jihad ,Sheikh Nuru Lemu stated that there is no where in the Islamic teachings where it said Islam should be forced on unbelievers or Non Muslims.
Sheikh Lemu opined that forceful conversion of people in to any movement as portrayed by some extremists is alien to religion of Islam highlighted that Jihad is limited to removing oppression protecting Muslims and safeguarding freedom of religion.
Lemu who brown at the anti-Islam activities of extremists globally charged Muslims to follow the instructions (teachings) of the mainstream Islam which has no prejudice against modern civilisation.
Some participants interviewed on the training,Onimisi Alao of the Nation Newspaper and Austin Ajayi of Tribune Newspaper expressed gratitude to be the Dar Al Andalus Centre for opportunity maintaining that the knowledge impacted on them has changed their thinking about Islam and the Muslims.
Certificates of attendance were given to the participants of the three-day workshop which was conducted by the Centre from Wednesday 5th to Friday 7th October 2022 in Yola Adamawa state capital.
