The Emir of Kano, Malam Mohammeed Sanusi II, on Saturday called on Muslims across the country to rise against insurgency.
Sanusi made the call at the closing ceremony of the 29th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.
“We have people fighting in the name of Islam; who are the people being killed in Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Adamawa?
“Borno must be liberated, Gombe must be liberated; every state with insurgency must be liberated.
“Every Muslim must come together and say no to insurgency.’’
Sanusi urged governments to ensure the protection of lives and property of their citizens.
“Any state that cannot not protect its citizens has no fundamental reason of existence and we must continue to ask that we are protected,’’ he said.
The emir faulted the Boko Haram sect for using Islam to fight their war, saying that the group were destroying what Islam stood for.
He urged Muslim leaders to continue to preach peace and to ensure that Islam was not distorted by the Boko Haram sect.
He, however, advised the competitors to always practice what they memorize from the Holy Qur’an, adding that ‘’it is not enough to memorize the holy Quaran but to act on the content of the Holy Book’’.
Also speaking, Vice President Namadi Sambo urged Muslim leaders to continue to pray and support government in the fight against insurgency.
Sambo, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Islamic Matter, Malam Tahir Usman, restated government’s committment to ending insurgency in the North East zone.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, said that the Holy Quaran enjoined Muslims to stand for peace, justice and greater understanding and the knowledge of the book.
“I urge the Imams and other Muslims to rededicate themselves to the teaching and learning of the Holy Qur’an.
“Islam is a religion of peace and we must apply every principle to it.
“It is, therefore, imperative for us always to pray for peace and security in our country.
“Violence will not pay; that is my Goodwill message.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one Khadija Abdullahi from Plateau Sate emerged the overall winner in the female category of the competition while Yusuf Dukku from Gombe State emerged winner in the male category.
NAN also reports that the event, which started on Jan. 7, was organised by the Centre for Islamic Studies, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
