Accusations of religious persecution not in national interest – NASFAT missioner

The Chief Missioner of the Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, has urged Nigerians of different faiths to, in the spirit of the season, imbibe the culture of mutual trust and sincerity in their effort to promote freedom of religion and belief. He said this would go a long way in ensuring […]

The Chief Missioner of the Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, has urged Nigerians of different faiths to, in the spirit of the season, imbibe the culture of mutual trust and sincerity in their effort to promote freedom of religion and belief.

He said this would go a long way in ensuring good interfaith relations and peaceful coexistence.

• Killers of EYN pastor, 2 sons release kidnapped daughter
• Train Attack: Buni has ensured no single Yobe indigene is in that forest – negotiator

Onike, in his goodwill message on the Eid el-Kabir festival, said the accusations and counter accusations of religious persecution and intolerance would not do the nation any good.

He said, “As the people of faith, we are not expected to fan the embers of discord and heat up the polity by feeding our members and the outside world with distorted facts about the insecurity situation in the country, which evidently does not discriminate on the basis of religion or ethnicity.

“Both Muslims and Christians and their worship centres have fallen victims to the dastardly acts of haters of peace, and we all should work together to defeat the enemies of peace. 

“We need peace, security, love and tranquility. Our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says, ‘You will not enter paradise until you have faith and you will not have faith until you love each other. Shall I show you something that, if you did, you would love each other? Spread peace between yourselves.”

He advised Muslims to emulate Prophet Ibraheem and Prophet Ismaeel in their obedience to Allah’s command, admission of their weaknesses, submission to Allah’s superiority, yielding to Allah’s greatness and patience in the face of trials, while awaiting Allah’s mercies for us to triumph over the trials.