‘Many Muslim leaders unknowingly support terrorism’

Nasrul-lahi-l Fatih Society says the silence of many Islamic leaders on terrorist activities in some parts of the country is a way of supporting the perpetrators unintentionally.

The group noted that the failure of the leaders to openly condemn killings of innocent people by Boko Haram under the guise of propagating Islam, was responsible for the negative impression some people had of the religion.

The NASFAT President, Mr. Kamil Bolarinwa, who spoke in Lagos on Saturday during a world press conference to mark the association’s 21 years of existence, urged massive campaign against terrorism and public enlightenment on peace, love and unity.

While lamenting that terrorists were often wrongly tagged Muslims, he said anybody could hide under the religion with a view to tarnishing its image.

He said, “Religion does not promote terrorism, neither do race or ethnicity. It is people who perpetrate acts of terrorism. Our contemporary experience has shown that when it comes to sharing lucre, big men and women, Muslims and Christians, Imams and pastors alike, act as one to fleece society.

“But when it comes to terrorism, just because eyewitnesses hear the perpetrator say ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is great) before the trigger is pulled or before a suicide bomber blows himself up, that invariably is the conclusive evidence that the perpetrator is a Muslim. Allahu Akbar is sacred to Muslims, but it is simple and anybody can be taught to say it, Muslim or not.

“Unfortunately, many Muslim leaders have not risen as one to challenge this mindset and condemn terrorism perpetrated by groups of psychopaths masquerading as Muslims. By their loud silence and indifference, they unwittingly create impression of support for these terrorists. And for us at NASFAT, our 21st anniversary provides a unique opportunity for new partnerships for public enlightenment and mass education of people on what Islam truly stands for.”

The president said terrorism was caused by lack of education, poverty and unemployment in the country.

He called on Nigerians to support the government in bringing development and restoring dignity to the country.

He said, “While we (NASFAT) remain nonpartisan and apolitical, it is our view that all well-meaning Nigerians should support the government efforts and programmes intended to restore dignity to our compatriots at home and abroad and improve the welfare of the people. The war on corruption is one of such programmes.”