The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has refuted the genocidal claim against Christians in Nigeria and caution United States and other international countries to avoid hasty generalisation.
The league refuted the claim in a communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting held on Thursday in Ibadan to deliberate on the recent statement by the President of the United States, Donald Trump regarding genocide against Nigeria Christians.
Reading the communique to newsmen on behalf of the league, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez, the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, urged international bodies and world leaders, particularly the United States of America, to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The league called on foreign countries to avoid hasty generalisations or external interference that could undermine Nigeria internal peace efforts.
According to the league, Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, has continued to thrive as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society, bound by a shared history of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among her citizens.
The League, admitted that there might be incident of insecurity or communal misunderstanding which should not be misrepresented as genocidal acts or systemic oppression of one faith by another.
” Such generalisations are misleading, divisive, and detrimental to the unity and peace we have been striving to maintain,” the league of Imam and Alfa said.
The league said Muslims in Nigeria remained committed to peaceful coexistence as exemplified by the noble Prophet Muhammad and Islam which teaches peace, tolerance, justice, and coexistence.
“Muslims in Nigeria, especially in Yoruba Land — have lived, worked, and interacted peacefully with Christians and adherents of other faiths for centuries.
“The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land remains committed to this legacy of moderation and centrism, which has guided our interactions and teachings for generations,” the league said.
The league said that Nigeria domestic challenges like those faced by many other nations should be addressed through national dialogue, cooperation, and homegrown solutions and not through foreign impositions or biased narratives.
The clerics appealed to global media outlets, international observers, and foreign governments to engage in responsible reporting and diplomacy that promotes peace rather than fuels misunderstanding.
“Nigeria’s image and unity are too valuable to be tainted by misinformation or politically motivated assertions,” the league said.
“We, the Imams and Alfas of Yoruba Land, call upon all Nigerians — Muslims, Christians, and traditionalists alike — to remain steadfast in peace, mutual respect, and national unity.
“Let us continue to demonstrate that our diversity is our strength and that faith and ethnicity should never be used as tools of division,” the league said.
The league reiterated that Nigeria wasn’t experiencing any form of genocide and urged international communities to partner with Nigeria in truth, fairness, and mutual respect and not in propaganda or political misrepresentation.
In attendance at the meeting are the President, Leaque of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Vice President, Sheikh Saadallah Bamgbola,the League Grand Patron, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere.
Others were Chief Imam of Osun State, Sheikh Muhammad Rabiu, Chief Imam of Ondo State, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi, Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Seifudeen Olowooribi, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory and General Secretary of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Hossein among others..
Source – NAN
(vitalnewsngr.com)
