OSOGBO—Yoruba Waziri Muminina Ustaz Abdul-Lateef Adekilekun claims blasphemy killing is unIslamic.
Adekilekun told NAN on Friday in Ede that Islam is a peaceful faith.
The priest was speaking against the background of the assassination of Usman Buda, a butcher who was stoned to death in Sokoto State on Sunday for allegedly blaspheming against the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
The priest said that although Islam frowns on blasphemy, there are ways to punish it without death.
Adekilekun highlighted that ignorance was one reason individuals killed others for blasphemy and underlined the need for increased information and education on how Islam desired a blasphemer handled.
“I studied a book and was taught in class precisely 61 years ago that anybody who accused Prophet Muhammad should be executed.
The book is neither the Qur’an nor hadith. It’s a self-proclaimed jurist’s book. Ignorance plagues Nigeria.
Ignorance causes blasphemy in northern Nigeria.
“You seldom hear of such in the southern part of the nation where enlightenment and understanding is more pronounced,” he remarked.
Adekilekun praised the Federal Government for mixing Islamic-oriented education with Western education via the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies for religious understanding.
The cleric said the government was doing its utmost to simplify Arabic schools in accordance with the 6-3-3-4 method to eliminate out-of-school youngsters.
Before leaving office, President Muhammadu Buhari signed a bill to establish a Commission for Almajiri and out-of-school children. I suggest the current government raise awareness.
“Islam is affluent and peaceful. “In Islam, you may study history, math, and others, but people who lack proper understanding of Islam constantly depend on hearsay in drawing conclusions,” he stated.
Adekilekun, the Grand Mufassir of Edeland, called Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi’s installation of another Waziri of Yorubaland illegitimate.
The Southwest Nigeria Union of Imams and Alfas recognised him as Yorubaland’s Waziri.
