Activities of Nigeria’s Boko Haram sect negates Islamic doctrine, says scholar

OSOGBO (NNN-NAN) -- A Lagos-based Islamic scholar, Abdul’liadi Ishola, has asserted that the activities of the Boko Haram sect, a Nigerian Islamist group seeking the imposition of Shariah law in the northern states of the country, negates Islamic doctrine.

Delivering a lecture on "Islamaphobia: Challenge of Modern Time", organized by the branch of the Muslim Congress in this capital of Osun state in southwestern Nigeria over the weekend, he described members of the sect and their sponsors as enemies of God and the human race.

Saying that killing innocent souls and bombing public places were not in accordance Islamic teachings, he decried the idea of equating the behaviour of the Boko Haram members with that of Muslim faithful.

"These criminals called Boko Haram are ignorant of Islamic teachings; they know nothing about the religion; in fact, they lack understanding of Islam. We have Muslim faithful among scores of people who have been killed by these hoodlums; yet they are claiming to be followers of Prophet Muhammad,'' Ishola observed.

He attributed the rising spate of violence and other criminal acts in Nigeria to the ineffectiveness of the security agencies and urged the government to ensure the protection of all Nigerians.

The scholar further charged all Muslims to be focused and to live by example for other people to emulate. "Live peacefully with your neighbours and try as much as possible to present Islam correctly through your good disposition. Study and understand the religion, proclaim it, abide by its teachings, practise it and avoid chaos and other acts that can tarnish your image."

Another guest lecturer, Alhaji Musa Babalola, a banker, who spoke on Islamic Banking, allayed fears over the planned introduction of the Islamic banking system by the Central Bank of Nigeria, saying that it was not intended to introduce Sharia nationwide, as being alleged.

According to Babalola, all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliation, would benefit from the facilities of the Islamic banking system.

He explained that Islamic banking was a non-interest banking system for every Nigerian who had genuine business or useful project which would benefit other people. He called on all Nigerians to support its introduction, adding that it would go a long way in boosting the nation's economy, when introduced.

Hundreds of Muslim faithful across the state and beyond attended the 2011 Special Annual Lecture of the congress. -- NNN-NAN