Islamic Banking has come to stay

The Sultan of Sokoto and Muslim spiritual leader, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III has condemned the military crackdown against the Islamist Boko Haram sect, and the criticism that has followed the introduction of Islamic bnaking also known as non-interest banking in Nigeria.

Speaking on both issues for the first time in public during a pre-Ramadan meeting in Kaduna, Alhaji Abubakar reviewed the Boko Haram insurgence and the proposed controversial Islamic banking and warned against antagonisms against the Muslim community over the issues.

Alhaji Abubakar also insisted that the controversy surrounding Islamic banking was unnecessary, saying it has come to stay.

 “There are two key issues that have been bothering the Muslims in this country; the issue of violence in the north eastern part of the country and the issue of comments made on Islamic banking across the country.  So many people have said so many things about non-interest banking”.

He said, “The issue of Muslim unity is not negotiable because we all know the importance of unity in Islam as clearly spelt out in the holy Qur’an, and we know the importance of unity in anything we do because if we are not united those who are opposing you will have an opportunity to hit you harder than ever. The Sultan went on to ask so many rhetorical questions concerning the views of others about Muslims in the country.

“Why is it that whenever anything Islamic is mentioned, those who are not Muslims kick against it? That is what we need to ask ourselves here. Is the word Islam bad? Why is it that when anything Muslim is mentioned it is equated with violence? We have to ask ourselves that question too and we have to come out with a solution because I have asked myself many times I can’t get an answer because I know what Islam is Islam is a religion of peace. Why is it that anybody who is not a Muslim is afraid of peace? What is there to be afraid of in Islam? If Muslims want a particular way of life as Muslims, why should anybody try to stop them? but if it is the other way round it is good but if it is for Muslims, it is bad; so these are challenges for us” he stressed.

The Sultan also said the policemen who are facing trials for the killing of the leader of the Boko Haram sect; Yusuf Mohammed should not be given bail.

 "The issue of violence in the North-East is what people wrongly put as an issue of Boko Haram. And this is something we really have to look into in this meeting. The violence in the North East is not caused by Boko Haram.

"So we have to ask ourselves why is there violence in the North-East. Those who cause the violence, who are they? The government must fish them out and say look we know you are the cause of this thing from day one. This thing did not start today."

"So stop equating any violence with Boko Haram. Because who are the members of Boko Haram? They were extra judiciously killed! What happened to those who killed them? They were even asking for bail. And I know in criminal justice system, you don't bail anybody who is charged with murder.

"So in whatever you do, you must come back to the negotiating table and discuss issues and agree. So we don't agree to violence, we don't believe in violence I want to call on every Muslim here and outside, let us not take laws into our hands. We can take issues up and be successful without taking up arms because even wars are fought to make peace so you can make peace without fighting war”. The Sultan said.
He also urged Muslims to look out for the crescent of the new moon on Saturday, to commence this year’s Ramadan fasting.

Speaking earlier in a progress report on the level of compliance with the Tafsir guidelines for last year, the Secretary-General of JNI Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu cautioned that, "the issue of Islamic Banking must be properly articulated, as its benefit is for Nigeria as a whole and not Muslims alone, and we should all remember that we shall be accountable for all our actions and in-actions," he said.

He urged that Tafseer should be jealously guided and Muslim should be steadfast in prayers and the preaching of peace and peaceful co-existence.

On Ramadan Dr Aliyu said, "it is therefore expected of all Muslims to be disciplined during the blessed month of Ramadan, the unity of the Ummah is very paramount at this material point in time, it should not be cajoled, our unity is our strength, we must maximally utilize this avenue provided by the Almighty to properly enlighten our teaming listeners and redirect their consciousness to Allah", he said.

In Attendance were: Emir of Zaria, Akh. Shehu Idris, the Shehu of Borno, Alh, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El Kanemi, , Emir of Katsina, Abdulmini Kabi Usman; Etsu Nupe, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, Chief Iman of National Mosque, Alh. Sheik Musa Mohammed