By Usman Ibn A. Lapai
As the Ramadan fasting period draws closer, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Religious Affairs Islamic Matters, Abdulrahaman Mahmud, has urged ulamas conducting Ramadan Tafsir to avoid unguarded utterances or risk a two-year jail term.
Mahmud said the law had been in existence since 2010 even thought in the past it did not take effect, adding that “this time it will be effective.”
He made the call in Kaduna while receiving the Imams and Ulamas who paid him a courtesy visit, saying that “this is the resolution of the meeting between the bureau for religious Affairs Islamic matters and ulalmas over the weekend.”
Mahmud added that the Islamic preachers must avoid insulting and unguided statements during the tafsir period.
He further called on the ulamas to desist from being politically inclined to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2011, adding that people still felt the pains.
Earlier, in his speech, the chairman of the council for Imams and Ulamas, Kaduna state, Sheikh Usman Abubakar Baban Tine, said the council embarked on a familiarisation visit to some Islamic organisations and institutions to foster unity and understanding amongst Muslims ummah.
He said the council’s activities which included creating awareness amongst Muslims; offering advice and suggestions to the government on the ways of achieving peaceful co-existence amongst different religious followers.