Tagged: Nigeria, Religion, West Africa

An Islamic scholar Mallam Umar Paiko has said that, rather than label Islam as extreme, it is some Muslims who had taken extreme posture giving the religion a bad image.

Umar while speaking at a Ramadan lecture organised by a group, Concerned Muslim Forum (CMF), on the theme ‘Islam and Extremism’ at the Shariah Commission Lecture Hall in Minna, said that there is no room for extremism in Islam.

“Islam does not accept the shedding of blood or any form of brutality. It is a religion of dialogue and not war. In Islam, things are done with moderation, not with extremism. Although some Muslims have chosen to be extremists and this extremism is as a result of the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Islam, which is why I would suggest that Islamic education be put under check to avoid the grooming of extremists. Islamic education should only be taught by scholars who understand and can interpret Islam perfectly,” he admonished.

The national chairman of the forum, Dr. Muhammad A. Ndagi, earlier in his speech enjoined all Muslim faithful to maintain and sustain good practice in Ramadan, urging them not to go back to their old ways of life.

“We all know Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and the Holy month full of Allah’s blessings and favour. I want to hereby advise all Muslim faithful to abide by the good practice in this period, even after Ramadan rather than returning to our previous way of life,” he said.

He disclosed that CMF is a nongovernmental Islamic association established in 2000 with the aim of reaching out to the less privileged Muslims in the society.