Kaduna, Nigeria - THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Saad III yesterday vowed to counter the upsurge of Christian evangelization in Nigeria with the message of Islam.
But Governor Namadi Sambo of Kaduna State has cautioned that the "good intention" of the Islamic leader in Nigeria could be hijacked by religious extremists to destabilize the country.
Speaking during a meeting of Northern Traditional rulers (Emirs) at Arewa House Kaduna State, Sadiq III lamented the increasing activities of Christian evangelical organizations and vowed to counter it with Islamic religion.
The Sultan who is also the President General of the Jama'atu Nasil Islam (JNI) said the spread of Christianity has made it all more urgent that the message of Islam shall be heard loud and clear and the JNI must play a leading role in this endeavour".
The Sultan who is the spiritual leader of all muslims in Nigeria noted that the task before the Islamic body under this dispensation is to face the challenges of the future and reposition the JNI as a premier Da'awah (Muslim evangelism ) organization in the country.
"The rise of secularism and the increasing activities of western evangelical organizations have made it all the more urgent that the message of Islam shall be heard loud and clear and the JNI must play a leading role in this endeavour.
"The JNI, in the next few years, needs to establish a proactive and virile Da'wah agency to respond to these challenges. This agency must be able to deploy full time Da'wah workers in its strategic areas of operation and make maximum use of emerging media technology," the Sultan stated.
He said that another important area of focus for the Muslims is on Islamic education, saying, "We must first and foremost develop a five-year action plan to rehabilitate, reposition and expand the coverage of the schools currently under the management of the JNI."
He also lamented the increasing rate of street begging by street kids in the North and urged Northern leaders to work hard to ensure that begging is drastically minimized and ultimately eliminated.
He appealed to the National Assembly "not to domesticate any treaty or convention unless they thoroughly study their implications to our cherished culture and beliefs," adding that in making laws, the sensibilities of our culture and religion must be respected at all times.
In his address on the occasion, Governor Sambo urged muslims to continue to spread Islam adding, however that "we must endeavour to continue to spread the current ideas about Islam as a religion of moderation and tolerance in order to fortify Muslims against extremism".
He called on Islamic religion leaders to encourage inter-religious dialogue, in the course of spreading Islam in the country.
"In this wise government will continue to support the JNI and other religious organizations to strengthen their capacity in conflict prevention, confidence-building, conflict resolution and promotion of activities aimed at achieving economic and social emancipation in the nation."
"Nigeria has recently witnessed a transition to another democratic dispensation, and along with it the pressing need to address the various challenges facing the nation in political, econoimic and security.
"A nation needs to take stock of its past in order to be inspired by its hope for the future; that is why we consider this forum both timely and very appropriate. With the necessary determination and requisite political will, we shall by the grace of God, be able to chart our way confidently.
"Over the years, governments at all levels in the nation have adopted a number of policy initiatives and action plans to move the society forward. Numerous blueprints have been launched to sustain these policies for achieving realistic, economic, political, social and cultural objectives.
"We feel that the JNI, through important forum like this will offer its contribution to our quest for forging cordial and mutually beneficial relations for a better tomorrow" the governor stated.