Gumi takes on Zakzaky, says cleric should repent

By Samuel Aruwan
Kaduna

A prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, yesterday took on fellow cleric Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqub Zakzaky, saying he should seek repentance from “misleading” his followers.
The Zaria-based Zakzaky is the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, the nation’s largest Shiite community, while Gumi is a leader of the Sunni sect, the Izala. Both sects are known to be sorely opposed to each other.
Gumi wrote an open letter to Zakzaky yesterday following the ongoing symbolic trek by thousands of Shiites from many cities to Zaria in Kaduna state.

The trek began on Sunday in commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain bin Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), along with scores of Muslims, in  680 A.D. at Karbala, in the present day Iraq.
In the letter, Gumi said: “After registering my condolences to the recent loss of your three children who were gunned down by some elements in the military, I find it an obligation to help you see that some of your actions too are the contributing factors in this unfortunate avoidable tragedy.

“What I fear most for you and your followers is that the consequence of this tragedy may further alienate your group from the mainstream society and create a cult – if it’s not already one – with disastrous consequences on you, your followers and the nation at large. For you especially, on the Day of Judgment you will have your account to answer.”
Gumi also questioned the ongoing trek, saying, “What triggered my attention to your group now is the most recent close encounter I made with a procession of your followers on the highway from Kano to Zaria yesterday, 8th Dec. 2014, on my way to Dutse. About four to six thousand youth and children trekking long distance for hours. I gave a two-hour lecture in Dutse and met them still trekking on my way back.
“I cannot understand under which civil or religious law you have the right and liberty to block one side of the double-carriage road, forcing motorists to cramp each other dangerously on one lane. If your actions are to propagate your creed, I am telling you, you will only attract the poor young ignorant miscreants of the society. Never the same except of course the disgruntled.”

Gumi, who said Zakzaky should practice “real Islam”, said, “This is the good example you should copy. But unfortunately, instead of that, you are doing exactly the opposite by blocking roads and forcing vehicles to dangerously face each other on one lane, displaying arrogance and lawlessness.
“My Brother, I write you this open letter for others also not necessarily in your sect to get admonition. It is never intended to trigger a sectarian argument. It’s about public order and mannerism.”
A spokesman for the Shiite movement, Malam Ibrahim Usman, told Blueprint at the time of filing this report that Zakzaky was preparing his reply to Gumi.