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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has accused some individuals and groups of persistently profiling Islam and Muslims in Nigeria, warning that continued attacks on the faith and its adherents could undermine national peace and unity.
The apex Islamic body, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in a statement issued on Monday by its public affairs officer, Abbas Jimoh, said Muslims had exercised restraint despite what it described as repeated provocation, marginalisation and baseless allegations.
The council maintained that its commitment to Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence had informed its decision to remain calm in the face of what it called unwarranted assaults on Islam and Muslims, stressing that “restraint is not cowardice” but warned that “there is always a limit to endurance.”
The NSCIA particularly condemned comments it attributed to a former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ayo Oritsejafor, during a recent television programme, in which he allegedly claimed that 90 to 95 per cent of criminals in Nigeria were Muslims.
NSCIA described the remark as reckless, baseless and capable of inciting tension, arguing that government regulatory agencies and security institutions should have sanctioned such statements in the interest of national peace and security.
The council also criticised what it called selective responses by security agencies and sections of the media to issues involving religion, alleging that Muslim leaders would have faced swift action if similar comments had been made against Christians.
Referring to recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State, the NSCIA faulted attempts by some Christian leaders to associate the crimes with Muslims or Fulani, noting that a suspect arrested in connection with a kidnapping case in Orire was reportedly a Christian pastor.
The council also accused sections of the media of applying double standards in reporting crimes involving individuals of different religious backgrounds.
On political representation, the NSCIA argued that Muslims have continued to face marginalisation despite their contributions to national development. It cited ministerial appointments and historical political alliances as examples, insisting that Muslims had often accepted political arrangements without resorting to religious sentiments.
The council also made reference to the presidential ambitions of Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo, as well as appointments made under Yakubu Gowon, arguing that similar religious debates did not arise during those periods.
While reaffirming its appeal to Muslims to remain peaceful, the NSCIA urged the Federal Government and security agencies to take decisive action against inflammatory statements and what it described as persistent attacks on Islam and Muslims.
“The barrage of open assault 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 said.
