Act before Muslims lose patience, Nigerian Islamic council tells government

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government and security agencies, urging them to act promptly before Muslims "run out of patience." The council emphasized that the community's continued restraint amid persistent attacks, profiling, and marginalization should not be misinterpreted as weakness.

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While the NSCIA continues to appeal to Muslims for continuous restraint, it is imperative that government and security agencies should act decisively before the Muslims run out of patience in the light of persistent attacks and unbridled marginalization.

In a statement released on behalf of the council, led by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the NSCIA highlighted that Muslims have deliberately exercised restraint despite repeated provocations. The council demanded swift justice for recent killings in Kaduna and Benue states and called for thorough investigations into alleged police misconduct.

"While the NSCIA continues to appeal to Muslims for continuous restraint, it is imperative that government and security agencies should act decisively before the Muslims run out of patience in the light of persistent attacks and unbridled marginalization," stated Abbas Jimoh, the NSCIA’s Public Affairs Officer. The council stressed that failure to bring perpetrators of heinous crimes in Kaduna and Benue states to justice would be "an invitation to anarchy."

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The NSCIA hereby calls on government to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes in Kaduna and Benue States are brought to justice, without delay and according to the laws of the land. Anything short of this is an invitation to anarchy.

The NSCIA also urged authorities to curb what it described as persistent attacks on Islam and Muslims in public spaces, deeming it essential for preserving peace and national cohesion. "The barrage of open assaults on the integrity of Islam and the Muslims in public spaces should be checked in the interest of peace and order. Enough is enough," the statement declared. Furthermore, the council demanded investigations into allegations of police officers handing over a female Muslim scholar for burning and the alleged involvement of an officer in the death of the Chairman of the Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

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The barrage of open assaults on the integrity of Islam and the Muslims in public spaces should be checked in the interest of peace and order. Enough is enough.

The council asserted that Muslims remain committed to Nigeria's unity despite feeling increasingly marginalized and unfairly portrayed. "The commitment necessitates silence and restraint despite unwarranted provocation, assault, and baseless profiling of Islam and the Muslims in the country. It should be clear that restraint is not cowardice. But there is always a limit to endurance," the statement concluded. The NSCIA also criticized remarks made by a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), calling them reckless.

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The commitment necessitates silence and restraint despite unwarranted provocation, assault, and baseless profiling of Islam and the Muslims in the country. It should be clear that restraint is not cowardice. But there is always a limit to endurance.