Those Killing In The Name Of God Are Not Muslims-Sheik Muyideen

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The popular Islamic Preacher, Sheik Muyideen Ajani Bello, has said that those killing in the name of God are not Muslims.

Bello said this on Thursday while delivering Pre Ramadan Lecture at the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Osogbo, entitled ” Religious Harmony, Panacea for Political and Economic Development in Nigeria” .

Commenting on diversity of religion, Bello said that anybody who killed in the name of Islam was not a true Muslim as the religion is against taking one’s life.

He condemned those using God’s name to justify violence, saying God has no need to be defended by anyone and does not want His name to be used to terrorise people

“We cannot restore the dignity of man by killing innocent people, we should desist from anything that can make us to be seen and regarded as fanatists , we are not fanatists.

“Anybody who kills people while shouting Allah is non Muslims and not a true Muslim and will go to hell.”

Describing Islam as a religion of peace, the renowned Islamic preacher urged Muslims on the need to always ensure peaceful coexistence among the people living around them regardless of their religious differences.

He noted that Islam is a total submission to the will of Allah , adding that what Allah wants from human beings is to believe in His existence, worshipping Him and regard Him as only one who can give and take.

Calling for religious harmony and tolerance amongst various religious groups, Bello said it would be out of the place for any Muslim to force non Muslims to convert to Islam.

He said there can only be development where there is peace and harmony, urging all religious believers to see themselves as one and leave the judgement of which of the religious is acceptable to Allah to judge on the day of resurrection.

Speaking , the Governor of Osun, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola described religious disharmony as a bane to social and economic development in the society.

Oyetola who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Adeyanju Abdullahi Binuyo urged Muslims across the country to continue to promote peace and eschew anything that can provoke religious crisis.

He however enjoined them to use the holy month of Ramodan to reach out to the needy and ensure they relate with non Muslims harmoniously.

Earlier, the Genera Manager , NTA, Osogbo, Mr Abduwaheed Amusat said the topic of this year Romadan lecture becomes imperative because no any country can develop in an atmosphere where there is a religious disharmony.

He thanked all the Imams and Alfas , Muslims, religious groups and especially, the guess lecturer, Sheikh Muyideen Bello for his numerous contributions to the growth of Islam.

He said that the NTA made an excellent choice in selecting Sheik Bello to deliver the annual Pre Ramadan Lecture, promising to sustain the tempo.