MMWG Warns Against Religious Intolerance , Fanaticism In Nigeria

A fresh call has gone to all Nigerians irrespective of religious persuation, tribe and location to restrain themselves from actions and comments that portray them as being religiously intolerant and fanatical.

The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria [ MMWG] made the call in a Press Statement issued while reacting to the statement credited to some Traditional and Government Functionaries in Ado-Ekiti on operation of Sharia Arbitration Panel set-up by Ekiti Muslim Community under the umbrella of Ekiti State Branch of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs [NSCIA] to arbitrate on Muslim Family Matters for promotion of peace, stability and family life in Ekiti State.

In the statement jointly signed by the National Secretary of the Group, Dr. Nasir Balogun and Deputy Coordinator of the Group in the FCT Ustaz Mohammed Abdullahi Azare, the Group described as misleading the statement credited to some non-muslim Leaders in Ekiti State spreading unfounded rumours about the Panel that it is to cause trouble in the State.

It described the reaction as act of religious intolerance and fanaticism pointing out that describing Sharia that is well enshrined in Nigerian Constitution as a way of causing trouble is to exhibit ignorance of the highest order.

The statement described Sharia as instrument of peace evolved for mankind by Almighty Allah to bring peace and security to all – stressing further that its practice has reduced crimes in all Nations where Sharia Law is practised

On the statement credited to Gani Adams that Sharia could operate in the North as statement based on ignorance adding that similar Panels in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States where issues of Family Personal matters have been resolved amicably, the Group stated – adding that Sharia that is entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution is for the whole of Nigeria – it had been in operation even before the colonial masters colonised Nigeria, they came and retained it and was so retained in all our Constitutions since Nigerulia’s Independence in 1960.

On Plateau State, the Group condemned one Mr. John Appolos Maton for criticising the use of Public Address System in Mosques, calling on all State Governors in Nigeria as Chief Security Officers of their States to ward-off religious crisis by taming some unpatriotic elements wanting to use religion to cause trouble in Nigeria.

The Media Group commended the Chief Imam of Al-Habbibiyyah Central Mosque Guzape Abuja Imam Fouad Adeyemi and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council [NIREC] for promoting unity, religious tolerance and understanding in the Country.

Through his programme – ABRAHAMIC MISSION on NTA and FRCN NETWORKS, the Muslim Media Watch Group stated that more muslims and christians have been united more than ever before through sensitization and awareness on the belief that both of them worship only One God, the Group maintained.

The Group explained further that the Panel inaugurated in Ado-Ekiti on Sharia for Muslim Family matters has been existing Osun and Oyo States and other parts of South West for long without any problem, adding that religious tolerance must be exhibited by all patriotic Nigerians.

MMWG which is an NGO comprising of Media Practitioners and other Professionals committed to responsible media practice, peace and development of Nigeria, also said one of its objectives is to expose unpatriotic Nigerians using religion to fan embers of hatred and discord between citizens warning that non-muslims in Ekiti should refrain from being dragged into what does not concern them, while Government authorities all over the Country should deal ruthlessly with anyone promoting religious fanaticism and intolerance in any State in Nigeria