President Muhammadu Buhari has urged religious leaders in the country
to assist the government to overcome forces of destruction by
enlightening their followers to guard against religious extremism and
terrorism.
The President made the call when he received the leadership of
Qadiriyya Islamic Movement in Africa at the State House, Abuja, on
Tuesday.
According to him, Muslim leaders had a duty to promote the principles and tenets of Islam as a religion of peace and justice.
The President said those who “indoctrinate children and plant
explosives on them to harm innocent people do not belong to any religion
but terrorists who should be identified and fought until they give up
their evil ways.’’
Buhari, who commended the Qadiriyya movement for promoting education,
interfaith dialogue and good moral conduct in the society, expressed
support for the proposed Islamic Centre in Abuja by the movement.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the Qadiriyya in Africa, Sheikh
Qaribullah Kabara had congratulated the President on his emergence as
his party’s candidate for the 2019 election.
He also commended the President on the achievements of his
administration since coming into office, which he said included the
diversification of the economy, increased power supply and food
sufficiency.
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state, who led the delegation to the
Presidential Villa, told State House correspondents that the Islamic
movement was in full support of the president’s second term bid.
He said the Islamic Centre being constructed by the movement in Abuja
was aimed at providing education for the youth, in order to reduce
radicalism and other vices affecting the society.
He said: “The group is here to first of all congratulate our
President for picking the APC ticket to run for a second term of office.
“The group thanked the President for the development going on in
Nigeria, especially the economy, which has improved as well as the
improvement in electricity supply and agriculture. The group is in full
support of the President’s second term bid.
We also used the opportunity to inform the President of the
construction and importance of the Qadria Centre, which is being built
here in Abuja.
“It is basically for education; especially for reducing extremism and
radicalism in religion and this is the right time that such a Centre;
it will help to control the minds of the followers.’’
The governor stated that the President appreciated the building of the Centre and pledged his support.