The Jama”tu Nasril Islam (JNI) on Thursday appealed for calm, prayers and more restraint to all Nigerians in the ongoing protests.
The appeal is contained in a statement issued by JNI, Secretary General, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, in Kaduna.
Aliyu said, “The ongoing protests in Nigeria and the information reaching the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, Sa’ad Abubakar.
“He once again appeals to the protest conveners, their covert and overt benefactors, as well as other critical stakeholders to sheath their swords and urgently come to the table for dialogue.
” We genuinely feared the escalation to an uncontrollable scenario and the reports are tilting towards that, “he said
”Therefore, in the name of Allah, the Most High, we are calling for an end to the snowball rampaging, in the name of protests.
“We should all understand that there must be a stable country called Nigeria, before we can proudly call ourselves Nigerians.”
According to him, with tomorrow being Friday, Jumu’ah Mosque Imams and Muslim leaders are implored to calm frayed nerves and call on the Ummah to appreciate peace rather than chaotic state of affairs, which may even deny congregational prayers.
“The Qur’anic guidance in trying moments remains “when the suffering reached them from us, why then did they not learn humility?”
” Hence, sober reflection, sincere humility and continued prayer to Allah, the Ever Merciful is the antidote of the quagmire.
” Let’s therefore pray for Allah’s apt intervention, ” Aliyu said.
Aliyu said all the Imams were equally called upon to commence sustained supplications and/or prayers at this moment of grief, saying, ”special prayers at calamitous periods in the last Raka’ah of each obligatory prayer and non-obligatory prayers.”
He added that this call has become imperative bearing in mind that the protests were getting out-of-hand, and the consequence of which may be too heavy on the West-African sub region.
He said the Sultan further called on all knowledge seeking gatherings, study circles, Islamic schools, as well as the leadership of all Muslim organisations and/or societies’ in Nigeria to commence special prayers in calamitous situations and trying times and seek Allah’s compassion for Nigeria.
He said, “A clarion call is therefore made to all leaders and the Nigerian citizens to fear Allah, for it is through such a spiritual medium that Allah’s intervention descends with full assurance from Him, the Ever Merciful.
”Muslims are as well urged to be introspective and should embrace more remembrance of Allah, through glorification of Allah, seeking Allah’s forgiveness and ceaseless prayers and invocations, for ease and relief in these trying moments.
“The Sultan of Sokoto, implores the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria to address the nation, by assuring all Nigerians that peace, security, stability, relief to hardship and food security would be achieved under his stewardship, in-sha Allah..
“State Governors should also calm nerves, as silence is no longer golden at this moment of anxiety.
“In this time of challenge, we pray for guidance, protection, good health, and peace for all leaders, and for tranquility to prevail in Nigeria.
” May Allah, the Most High, also provide the quickest relief to all problems bedeviling the Nigerian state. ” Aliyu said.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna Peace Commission has expressed concern over reports of aggression in various parts of Kaduna metropolis during the nationwide protests that commenced Thursday.
In a statement issued by Saleh Momale, the Executive Vice Chairman, the commission called on all the citizens, especially the youth, to refrain from violence and social disorder.
While acknowledging the right of the citizens to express their views and grievances regarding government policies and programs, the commission emphasised that such expressions should remain within the bounds of the law.
Momale said, “We appeal to parents, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and all people of goodwill to persuade the demonstrators to cease activities that threaten the peace and coexistence in the state,” the statement read.
“We urge everyone to respect the rights of others and protect state properties from vandalism.”
The commission also called on the security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and properties, adhering to their constitutional mandates.
“In these challenging times, we must all cooperate with the government, community leaders, and security agencies to maintain peace, tranquility, and social order,” Momale said(NAN)