By Ismail Auwal
Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of its President General, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has said that it would not attend the planned debate between Sheikh AbdulJabbar Kabara and Kano clerics, and neither would any of its branches participate.
In a statement signed by the Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI also blamed Governor Ganduje of lack of consultation before coming up with this unnecessary debate.
The organisation ruled out the debate based on jurisprudential deductions, as it strongly feels that, “it’s not even proper to debate with AbdulJabbar as someone who openly blasphemed against the noble Prophet (SAW).”
“His fate is sealed Islamically- there’s no point giving him additional opportunity and coverage to further spew his ungodly past-time to the world,” JNI added.
The umbrella body of all Sunni Muslims in Nigeria, argued that the planned debate is an indication of lack of wide consultation with stakeholders by the Kano state government.
“Had the Kano state Government consult most of the notable personalities invited (or expected) to grace the planned debate, the above stated pitfalls would have been avoided.”
“We equally expected that the Government will consult widely on the way forward as this problem is not only restricted to Kano state; its a National or rather global phenomenon that affects every true practicing Muslim.”
Accoding to JNI, “the issue is blown out of proportion by giving it undue publicity by the Government and individuals, thereby making a hero out of a cowardly and disrespectful act on the most distinguished of Allah’s creatures, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).”
“Abdul-Jabbar does not deserve the kind of publicity and attention accorded him since the break of this act of indignity,” it added.
JNI concluded its statement by wishing “the Kano state government and Ulama all the best and Allah’s guidance in all their undertakings,” while hoping that the government and the stakeholders involved in this process will reconsider their stand on the exercise.
