Katsina’s politicisation of preaching

During the military administration of Col. Akergerge in 1991, a law was promulgated to among other things regulate Islamic education in the state as well as preaching by the various religious groups working in the state. These laws were the Islamic education bureau law cap 153 of 1991, and the religious preaching regulation law 115 […]

During the military administration of Col. Akergerge in 1991, a law was promulgated to among other things regulate Islamic education in the state as well as preaching by the various religious groups working in the state. These laws were the Islamic education bureau law cap 153 of 1991, and the religious preaching regulation law 115 of the same year.

However, despite the existence of these laws, there were growing agitations for proper regulation of laws in the state in view of the need to ensure peaceful co-existence between all Muslim sects in the state, as well as other religious groups. Many discussions were carried out by the stakeholders in the state agitating for improved laws that will assist in sustaining the cordial relationship between all religious groups in the state.

For the record, Katsina State is one of the most peaceful states in federation, enjoying long peaceful coexistence among all religions even at a time when many states in the federation were engulfed in crisis and strife.

Although previous administration’s decision to promulgate laws 153 and 115 were done in good faith, their relevance in ensuring sustained peace and the development of Islamic education in the state was not far fetched. Funding of Islamic schools, support for their programs and the needed recognition for Islamic education was not properly tackled by the existing laws.

In 2010, three years after the emergence of Governor Shema as the executive governor of the state, a group of Islamic scholars demanded for the repealing of the laws and its amendment to ensure adequate funding, research, development and growth of Islamic education.

They also demanded for increased cooperation with security agencies in the state and governments at all levels so as to ensure continuous co-existence among all religious groups in the state.

Part of the recommendations of the Islamic scholars was the creation of a data on Islamic schools in order to assist in there development and financing. The scholars also called for establishment of a research and development agency so as to ensure knowledge-based preaching in the state. The scholars further called on the state government to include the facilitation of reconciliation amongst the various religious groups in the state, all these in their efforts to foster greater respect, cooperation, peace, harmony and the overall growth and development of the state.

It was these recommendation that were misunderstood to mean regulation of preaching as raised by several commentators without understanding the genesis of the repealing of the laws and the amendments. It should be noted that these laws do not and has no intention of denying any scholar as insinuated, the right to preach, after all is preaching not an avenue to foster peace? What the new law aim to achieve is harmonisation for proper coordination among all the various religious groups so as to ensure proper and adequate funding. This is a recommendation from all the religious groups in the state.

And when the controversy over the amendment of the law started, the state government in its wisdom invited all the religious groups in the state where another committee was set up to look into the law and come up with an all inclusive recommendations that will ensure justice to all.

This committee comprises of council of Ulama, Fitiyanul Islam, Jamaatul nasril Islam, Izalatul bid’a, centre for legal studies, ABU, and many other learned scholars as well as media representatives in the state and beyond. At present this committee is working on the proposed harmonised law and has not even concluded its deliberations before the controversy that trailed the so- called anti-preaching law.

For those who may not understand the significance of the law, as well as mischief makers who are taking the opportunity of the amendment to cause chaos and crisis in the state, it is pertinent for them to study history and see whether or not the decision was on the path of justice, unity and Islamic growth or not before embarking on their destructive campaign that can only work against our faith and religion.

I would like to use this medium to call on all the stakeholders in the state to give peace a chance and contribute to the prosperity, unity and development of the state, and not engage in mischief and politics with religion. In countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan and all other Muslim countries, preaching is placed on the pedestrian of law and order where those who preach are known and assisted.

If these countries, where we mostly derive our religious allegiances from will promulgate laws for the harmonious and peaceful co-existence of their people, why is a genuine effort being misrepresented? Is Islam not a religion that was built on law and order? Or are these political mischief makers saying chaos and disorder is a norm in Islam where everyone is allowed to do whatever he wills without recourse to laws and regulations?

The prophet (SAW) has enjoined the Muslims to be law abiding, peaceful and cooperative in all efforts at community development, Da’awah and the good of the people. What then is wrong with an effort to foster unity, peace, cooperation and development of the Islamic school system this law tend to entails?

The state government is determined to strengthen Sharia laws as guiding principle of its people through collective deliberations with Islamic scholars that know what the laws are all about, and not those whose motive is the politicisation of a religion that preaches unity and harmony.

Both Allah (SWA) and the people of the state are watching the actions of the state government, and those of the opponents of the law and are in the best position to judge. We wish to call on the state government to disregard this mischievous, politically motivated, and unnecessary controversy being promoted by some people whose motive is neither Islam nor peace.

Shari’a is the way of our life, and the Katsina State government understand this, and this is what motivated the amendment of the law to broaden the scope of Islamic preaching, knowledge, research and development so that correct information on Islam will be preached to the people.

For those whose preoccupation is the stirring of emotions for their selfish agenda, Islam has been with our people for decades and they understand its teachings and cannot be misled by anyone.

Kagara writes from 2, Na-Alhaji Road, Dutsinma and can be reached at [email protected]