The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, under the leadership of its president-general, the Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar, has kicked against a debate organized by Kano State Government between a fiery cleric, Abduljabbar Nasiru-Kabara, and other clerics in the state.
On February 3, the Kano State government debarred the cleric from preaching, demolished his propagation center, and deployed security agents around his residence.
But in a move toward solving the religious impasse raging between Mr. Kabara and other clerics, the governor announced on February 7 that a debate would be held in two weeks.
Days after the expiration of the two weeks, the state government fixed Sunday, March 7 for the much-awaited debate.
But in what appears to be a setback to the planned debate, the JNI, which a leading Islamic body in the country, in a press statement by its secretary-general, Khalid Aliyu, said there was no need for a debate with a “blasphemer”.
JNI however appreciate the effort of the Kano State Government in their manner of approaching the barbaric act.
“At the beginning of this imbroglio, we commended the Kano State Government for the step it has taken to avert calamity on the land and prevent break down of law and order. We equally expected that the Government will consult widely on the way forward as this problem is not only restricted to Kano state; its a National or rather global phenomenon that affects every true practicing Muslim”
“It appears that the issue is blown out of proportion by giving it undue publicity by the Government and individuals thereby making a hero out of a cowardly and disrespectful act on the most distinguished of Allah’s creatures, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Abdul-Jabbar does not deserve the kind of publicity and attention accorded him since the break of this act of indignity”
