The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has called on the Governor of Kano
state, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje to drop the charges of blasphemy against the
embattled Kano based cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara and release him.
This is contained in a press statement released by the President
Media Forum of the Movement, Ibrahim Musa today to newsmen.
The Islamic Movement said this has become necessary in view of the
fact that Nigerian constitution has guaranteed citizens religious right of
their choice. “Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara’s Constitutional rights as guaranteed
in the Nigerian Constitution include the right to freedom of religion and
conscience and freedom to worship, teach, practice, and observe his religion of
choice. Arresting and charging Sheikh Abduljabbar by Ganduje government is a
serious violation of these rights and we strongly condemn it as it should be
condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians irrespective of their religious
affiliations,” said the statement.
It further argued that the much talked about religious debate
between Sheikh Abduljabbar and the coalition of Kano clerics was a sham and
staged managed. “We have closely followed events with regards to his
differences of understanding and opinion with these Kano-based coalition of
Clerics and how the Ganduje-led government took sides by closing the Sheikh’s
school and mosque without first substantiating the accuracy of the allegations
against him. He was lured into engaging in a “debate” with these government
supported Clerics that turned out to be a secret trial, in which those who
accused him of heresy were the prosecutors and the judges at the same time. The
so-called “debate” was clearly designed from outset to favour the Coalition
against the embattled Sheikh. It was held behind closed-door populated by only
those who were openly opposed to him,” according to the Islamic Movement.
Hence the Islamic Movement concluded that, “Finally, we call on Ganduje to drop all these phony charges against the Sheikh and restore his fundamental human rights immediately. The Sheikh has as much rights as the coalition of clerics opposed to him to preach as each understands.”
Below is the full Press Statement:
We demand justice and nothing less for Sheikh Abduljabbar
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria condemns in totality the way and
manner the Kano Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara was harangued
in a stage-managed “debate” with a coalition of Kano-based Islamic clerics,
before being unjustifiably arrested and subsequently arraigned last Friday,
July 16 before an Upper Sharia Court on charges including blasphemy, incitement
and other sundry offences. He was thereafter remanded in prison till July 28.
We have closely followed events with regards to his differences of
understanding and opinion with these Kano-based coalition of Clerics and how
the Ganduje-led government took sides by closing the Sheikh’s school and mosque
without first substantiating the accuracy of the allegations against him. He
was lured into engaging in a “debate” with these government supported Clerics
that turned out to be a secret trial, in which those who accused him of heresy
were the prosecutors and the judges at the same time. The so-called “debate”
was clearly designed from outset to favour the Coalition against the embattled
Sheikh. It was held behind closed-door populated by only those who were openly
opposed to him.
Furthermore, the moderator of the “debate”, Professor Salisu Shehu,
is part and parcel of the coalition of petitioners against the Sheikh and an
extremist Wahabi/Salafi ideologue who is openly an avowed opponent of the
Sheikh and his teachings. Expectedly, the coalition and Ganduje government all
claimed that Sheikh Abduljabbar had not satisfied them and must be prosecuted,
with a section of them even calling for death sentence!
Fillers from some video clips of Kano state Governor and his
commissioner for religious affairs going viral in the social media however have
exposed the secret agenda of the state government and the rainbow of these hate
mongers in the garb of clerics. They only seek to keep Sheikh Abduljabbar out
of circulation and ban his religious teachings and activities simply because he
differs in his religious outlook and viewpoint from theirs. We strongly believe
that Ganduje government is misusing the instruments of power to gag Sheikh
Abduljabar even as he is known to conduct his religious activities peacefully.
His antagonists are only exhibiting extreme religious intolerance to those who
differ with them. The coalition of Kano clerics must not compel their
understanding on others by force. This is clearly an infringement on his
constitutional rights of freedom of worship in a secular country like Nigeria.
Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara’s Constitutional rights as guaranteed in
the Nigerian Constitution include the right to freedom of religion and
conscience and freedom to worship, teach, practice, and observe his religion of
choice. Arresting and charging Sheikh Abduljabbar by Ganduje government is a
serious violation of these rights and we strongly condemn it as it should be
condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians irrespective of their religious
affiliations.
Finally, we call on Ganduje to drop all these phony charges against
the Sheikh and restore his fundamental human rights immediately. The Sheikh has
as much rights as the coalition of clerics opposed to him to preach as each
understands.
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