The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), comprised of Muslim professionals across diverse fields, has issued a call for the immediate apprehension and legal prosecution of an Islamic cleric. This religious figure had advocated for the harm and killing of Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, solely based on her Christian faith.

In an official statement signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the National Coordinator of MMWG, and shared with our correspondent in Abuja, the group emphasized the urgency for security agencies to take prompt action. The call stems from a widely circulated video on social media featuring the cleric making inflammatory remarks. MMWG denounced the cleric as “one of the bad elements in Nigerian society” and questioned his authenticity as a true scholar of Islam.

Amidst the current challenges facing the nation, MMWG asserted that irresponsible and unpatriotic individuals should not exploit religion to sow discord in Nigeria. The group underscored Islamic teachings, citing the Holy Qur’an, which refers to Jews and Christians as “Ahlul-Kitab” or “The People of the Book.” Muslims are encouraged to coexist peacefully with them, according to MMWG.

The statement clarified that “The People of the Book” include those who believe in the scriptures revealed to Prophet Moses and Jesus Christ. MMWG emphasized that neither the Holy Qur’an nor Hadith permits harm or killing of Jews, Christians, or unbelievers. The group recalled an incident during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet Muhammad in Madina when Christians were allowed to worship in their way in his Mosque during a community meeting that brought Muslims and Christians together.

MMWG appealed to the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to take decisive action against erring Islamic preachers nationwide. The group urged Muslim leaders to utilize corrective mechanisms within NSCIA to address the actions of individuals presenting themselves as clerics.

In a final appeal, MMWG encouraged President Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, not to be swayed by the provocative statements of the cleric. The group acknowledged the presence of undesirable elements in every society and expressed confidence in the existing legal framework to address such individuals, ensuring the maintenance of peace in the country.

END.