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- Says “we cannot reasonably expect solutions to issues bedevilling our lives until our leaders summon the political will to address the issue of corruption”
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has noted with great concern whooping Trillions of Naira being pumped into curtailing insecurity and boosting power supply in the country without positive results over the years.
Addressing Muslim Ummah ( Muslim Community) in Nigeria on Tuesday at the annual pre-Ramadan meeting in Kaduna, the President, SCSN, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiytullah called on Muslim Ummah to impress on the federal government to put a stop to corruption, leakages and wasteful spending of public funds without meeting the targets.
Sheikh Hadiytullah said, regrettably, it is the ordinary Nigerians that are bearing the brunt of the wasteful spending, and urged the leaders to develop political Will to tackle corruption headlong to ensure sanity in the country.
He however, tasked the Ummah to stay away from hate speech and preaching before, during and after the Ramadan to avoid attracting violence, adding that Islam is not a religion of violence but love and unity.
“We should in unison, keep appealing to our governments to take concrete steps to address the issue of corruption, leakages and wasteful spending. Corruption is like a cancer, which destroys everything noble and undermines the principles of good governance. Here, it is perfectly justified to ask our leaders, why should the ordinary Nigerian be made to bear the brunt of insecurity with trillions being spent on the security agencies without positive result or accountability? Why should the ordinary Nigerian suffer difficulties from power failure and its skyrocketing cost with over $ 20 billion wasted on power, without positive results or accountability? There is no doubt that we cannot reasonably expect solutions to issues bedevilling our lives until our leaders summon the political will to address the issue of corruption, whenever, wherever and whoever is involved.
“We urge the federal government to re-examine the neo-liberal economic template guiding our policies and perish the thought of plans to totally abolish all subsidies and commercialise strategic public agencies, without any semblance of social safety net to mitigate the attendant horrendous consequences on the population.
“In these challenging times, it is crucial that we uphold the principles of peace, unity, and understanding. We should preach against resorting to violent protests against the government and strive for dialogue and constructive engagement with governments to address our concerns. Islam encourages us to seek solutions to problems with our leaders through peaceful means only. Violence only begets more violence, and it is our duty as responsible citizens and followers of Islam to promote harmony and stability. Together, let us channel our grievances through peaceful avenues, fostering a culture of tolerance and cooperation for the betterment of our society.
“We call on the Ummah to fervently pray during this sacred month of Ramadan and beyond for peace in Nigeria, and divine intervention in tackling acts of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, ethno-religious crises, and other criminal activities. We should also call upon all stakeholders, including the government, civil society and the private sector to collaborate effectively in addressing the root causes of insecurity and implementing comprehensive strategies for its eradication.
“Let us emphasise the importance of investing in and strengthening Nigeria’s security institutions, providing them with the necessary resources, training, and technology to enhance their capacity to combat threats effectively. It is necessary to also amplify and encourage the promotion of community-oriented policing, fostering trust between security forces and local communities, and the need to implement programs that empower communities economically and socially, addressing the underlying factors that contribute to insecurity.
“Let us also use our respective podiums this Ramadan to advocate for the establishment of an expansive social safety net to provide immediate relief to the most vulnerable in our populations. In this regard, we appeal to the federal and state governments, to provide immediate relief and succour to the multitudes of the disadvantaged against the stifling economic hardships. In addition, we call on all governments to also consider organising community feeding for them, in as many centres, especially during the time of iftar.
“Government should critically reflect on the implication of the proposed state police to ensure a balance between tackling insecurity, our social cohesion and the probability of abuse for personal and political agenda.
“Ulamah should highlight the increasing moral decadence within Muslim communities in Nigeria. Traditional values of Islam that once anchored the society are clearly fast eroding, giving way to a range of ethical challenges. Instances of moral corruption, dishonesty, and a diminishing sense of communal responsibility have become more prevalent. This troubling trend not only undermines the core principles of Islam but also threatens the social fabric that binds our communities together”. Sheikh Hadiytullah said.
He also added that, “for over two decades, the Supreme Council for Shari’ ah in Nigeria has been an umbrella, a pillar and consistent partner in championing the progress and development of the Ummah and our nation in general. The council has actively contributed to the political and socioeconomic development of Nigeria, with the unity and prosperity of the Ummah as the cornerstone of our efforts.
“As a religious body, one of our core objectives is to see to the realisation of a stable Ummah and country that is economically, socially and politically viable. And in spite of the formidable challenges facing our nation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to contribute to its success, through constructive engagement with key stakeholders at all levels.”
