The Committee of FCT Imams Initiative (CFII) has advocated the inclusion of religious leaders in the nation’s security architecture to combat insecurity in the country.
Chairman of the initiative, Dr Tajuddeen Adigun, made the demand at the 17th Extraordinary Dawrah (Conference) of the FCT Imams, at the weekend in Abuja.
The conference was themed: “Unity of Imams as a Forte to the Ummah and Secured Nation”.
Adigun said that Imams are part of those who could make the nation to be peaceful because they have followers who listen to them more than the politicians.
“The reality is that people have believes and listen to their Imams much more than the politicians. This is not to underrate the position of politicians because Allah has handed over power to them we must respect.
“However, politicians should not underrate the influence of Imams. If government decides to be paying salary to religious leaders so as to maintain peace, it is not too much.
“When I say religious leaders I mean generally including the non-Muslim religious leaders because all religions have influence over their followers.
“In FCT, I can tell you we have so many examples of calamities that when 75 per cent of the Imams deliver uniform Friday sermons it will calm the situation,” Adigun said.
Earlier, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, commended the contributions of FCT Imams not just in tackling insecurity but also in ensuring the implementation and success of policies of the FCT administration.
Represented by Malam Bashir Mohammed, the Director, FCTA Human Resource Management, Bello said the FCT administration was particularly appreciative of the efforts of the league of FCT Imams in the fight against COVID-19.
Also, the Chief Imam of Al-Furqan Mosque Kano, Dr Bashir Umar, described Imams as gatekeepers of the consciousness of the nation and emblems of security as well as the development of the country.
