Sultan Asks Muslims to Unite against Boko Haram, says "Insurgents are not Preaching Islam"

 

The Leader of Muslims in Nigeria and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, has challenged Islamic sects in the country to unite and fight Boko Haram insurgency.

In condemnation of the suicide bomb blasts at the Kano Central Mosque on Friday, which reportedly left about 120 worshipers dead and many others injured, the Sultan stated that “those behind all the attacks are not Muslims.”

Speaking on Saturday in Abuja during a post-2014 Hajj conference organized by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria held at the National Mosque, Abubakar said:

“I do not believe those perpetrating these are Muslims, because if they are Muslims, they are not professing what Islam teaches.

“In the world over, it is the duty and responsibility of government to provide security for the citizenry. This is the time for all the various sects in Islam in this country to rally round one another and end insurgency in this country.”

“I think it is very important that this matter be looked at with all purposes and intents, and with a very serious focus on efforts from the government which has the constitutional mandate to look after the security and welfare of the people.

“We have called with the loudest of our voice on the government but up till this moment, we hear only mere speeches not matched with actions and efforts aimed at curtailing this scourge and epidemic threatening the lives of the Muslims.

“Where have you ever heard that even in a worship environment, a mosque for people to worship is bombed and over hundred people killed? Up to this moment, no arrest has been made; nothing from the government unto whom we are going to rely. I call on all Muslim leaders, elders, parents, Imams and scholars to come together to speak and brainstorm on how they can provide succour and help in any effort that we are going to get from the government.”