By Samuel Aruwan
Kaduna
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, yesterday said the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have failed Nigerians in telling truth to power.
Gumi, in a statement, said the religious organisations had become self-serving, hence Nigerian Muslims and Christians should rise and redeem the country.
He said: “With all the atrocities being committed in this nation by the use of both illegal arms in the hands of terrorists or insurgency or the illegal use of legal arms through extra-judicial killings, mass punishment and embezzlement by corrupt officials, and the near paralysis of the nation economically and security wise, the CAN like the JNI never directly speak out against the government responsible and call them to order or resignation. We know why. The ‘leaders’ dine with it.”
Continuing, he said: “The JNI was principally established by the Sardauna and Sheik Gumi to promote Islamic education of the border-less ignorance of the Nigerian Muslims about the basics of Islamic knowledge, today after 50 years it cannot boast of even a mushroom university. The deviation or hijack needs no mention. That is why it lost its grip on the psyche of the Muslims more especially the youth predisposing them to fanaticism.
“CAN now and then makes a shout when the ‘envisaged’ interest of Christians appears to be affected without ever directly censoring the government responsible. Likewise the J.N.I or the self appointed NSCIA. Statements issued here and there for the followers consumption no less no more; all this while the nation is drifting to total chaos and collapse.”
“Muslims and Christians should reclaim their voices through the ballot boxes in free and fair elections to elect representatives who speak for them and not by self appointed ‘councils.’ Let us elect good leaders to do our job and the speaking. Leaders we can challenge to measure up to their responsibilities. Let religious organisations stick to their mandate of teaching religious virtues and good mannerism to all segments of the society or else they will continue to be the boot of the society.”