Bandits Are Not Muslims, Stop Linking Criminality To Islam, Oluwo Tells Nigerians

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has condemned what he described as the religious profiling of bandits as Muslims, insisting that criminality should not be associated with Islam.

The monarch maintained that bandits lack the fundamental attributes that define a true Muslim, stressing that neither the wearing of turbans nor the adoption of Arabic names is sufficient to identify an individual’s religion.

According to Oba Akanbi, bandits do not observe the obligatory Islamic prayers, adding that the use of turbans by some of them should not be misconstrued as evidence of their faith.

He explained that turbans are not exclusive to Muslims, noting that many people living in desert regions who are not adherents of Islam also wear them.

The Oluwo further stated that the Arabic spoken by some bandits is merely elementary and not the type acquired through formal Islamic education in Madrasah (Islamic schools).

He expressed displeasure over attempts to link banditry with Islam, arguing instead that the rise of banditry is largely a consequence of the failures of some past governments.

“I condemn in totality the religious profiling of bandits as Muslims. Real Muslims are not bandits. You cannot see a mosque in the den of bandits. The herdsmen equally have no mosque in their settlements (Gaa). They have no identification with Islam in all ramifications,” the monarch said.

He added, “Bandits have no religion. Have you ever seen where bandits observe Solat (the obligatory Islamic prayers)? They might be wearing turbans, but turbans are not exclusive to Muslims. People living in the desert who are not Muslims also wear turbans.”

Speaking further, Oba Akanbi noted that Arabic is not a language spoken only by Muslims.

“Many churches in Arab countries preach in Arabic. There are many people in predominantly Islamic countries who are not Muslims but speak Arabic,” he said.

The traditional ruler described what he termed the coordinated attack on Muslims through the actions of bandits as unfair, urging Nigerians to stop associating the activities of criminal elements with Islam.

He also called on the government to consider legislative measures against social media commentators who, according to him, use online platforms to discredit Muslims.