A fresh call has gone to all Nigerians irrespective of religion, persuasion or tribe to refrain from actions that portray them religiously intolerant.
Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria [MMWG] made the call in a Statement issued today while reacting to the statement credited to some Traditional and Government Functionaries in Ado-Ekiti on operation of Sharia Arbitration Panel set-up by Ekiti Muslim Community under the umbrella of Ekiti State Branch of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs [NSCIA] to arbitrate on Muslim Family Matters for promotion of peace, stability and family life in Ekiti State.
A statement jointly signed by the National Secretary of the Group Dr. Nasir Balogun and Deputy Coordinator of the Group in the FCT Ustaz Mohammed Abdullahi Azare, described as misleading the statement credited to some non-muslim Leaders in Ekiti State spreading unfounded rumours about the Panel that it is to cause trouble in the State.
It described the reaction as act of religious intolerance pointing out that describing Sharia that is well enshrined in Nigerian Constitution.
The statement identified Sharia as instrument of peace evolved for mankind by Almighty Allah to bring peace and security to all as its practice has reduced crimes in all Nations where Sharia Law is practiced.
On the statement credited to Gani Adams that Sharia could operate in the North as abased on ignorance as similar Panels in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States where issues of Family Personal matters have been resolved amicably.
The Group stated that Sharia entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution is for the whole of Nigeria and had been in operation even before the colonial masters colonised Nigeria.
On Plateau State, the Group condemned one Mr. John Appolos Maton for criticising the use of Public Address System in Mosques.
It called on all State Governors in Nigeria as Chief Security Officers of their States to ward-off religious crisis by taming some unpatriotic elements wanting to use religion to cause trouble in Nigeria.
The Media Group commended the Chief Imam of Al-Habbibiyyah Central Mosque Guzape Abuja Imam Fouad Adeyemi and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council [NIREC] for promoting unity, religious tolerance and understanding in the Country.
According to the Islamic Organization, through his Programme, ABRAHAMIC MISSION on NTA and FRCN NETWORKS, the Muslim Media Watch Group stated that more muslims and christians have been united more than ever before through sensitization and awareness on the belief that both of them worship only One God.
The Group explained further that the Panel inaugurated in Ado-Ekiti on Sharia for Muslim Family matters has been existing Osun and Oyo States and other parts of South West for long without any problem as religious tolerance must be exhibited by all patriotic Nigerians.
MMWG which is an NGO comprising of Media Practitioners and other Professionals committed to responsible media practice, peace and development of Nigeria, also said one of its objectives is to expose unpatriotic Nigerians using religion to fan embers of hatred and discord between citizens.
It cautioned that non-muslims in Ekiti should refrain from being dragged into what does not concern them, while Government authorities all over the Country should deal ruthlessly with anyone promoting religious fanaticism and intolerance in any state in Nigeria.
