#EndSARS: Sultan directs Imams to dedicate Friday sermon to calm followers

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed all Nigerian Imams to dedicate their sermons on Friday, Oct. 23, to calm the people over the ongoing EndSARS crisis in the country.

Sultan, who is also the President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), gave the directive in a statement signed by Alhaji Femi Abbas, Chairman, NSCIA Media Committee.

The monarch strongly emphasised the fact that only a peaceful environment backed up by fervent prayer could propel hope and harmony for the citizens of any country in which God was believed to be in control.

He particularly praised the Imams of the various Mosques in all parts of Nigeria, for not transgressing in their sermons during the crisis, either by maligning any group or instigating any particular tribe or religious adherents.

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“As a matter of serious concern and urgent expectation of tranquillity in Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared the coming Friday, October 23, 2020, as a day of special prayer for the nation.

“Such a special prayer, according to him, should not be limited to Nigerian Muslims living in Nigeria alone, but to include others, who are residing abroad.

“They should also join their brothers and sisters at home in this crucial prayer since Nigeria is for all Nigerians, irrespective of their places of residence.”

He commended the Nigerian Muslims generally for handling the ongoing ‘EndSARS’ mass protests with moderation, according to Islamic norm and as expected of them as Muslims.

He implored Muslims to further ensure that they do not get distracted from the scope of Islamic guidance concerning conflict and resolution at any time.

He emphasised the need for the Imams to calm down strained nerves through clement preaching for peace as well as their verbal ventilation of the national atmosphere for permanent tranquillity to the benefit of all and sundry.

Abubakar also implored all Nigerian Muslim congregations to heartily join their Imams in offering the special prayer on Friday, for the stability of the country.

The monarch noted that for any people who believed fervently in Allah, there could never be a crisis that was irresolvable with prayer.

He beseeched Allah never to allow the bountiful blessings with which He gloriously endows the country to end up in a regrettable history.

The Sultan appealed to the government to sincerely consider a quick implementation of the demands of the protesting youths to which it had graciously agreed.

The Islamic leader also counselled the protesters to allow the government to act positively on those demands in the overall interest of peace and tranquillity of the country.

He cautioned Muslim youths against joining any evil gang of violence into which some disgruntled Nigerian adults, with hidden agenda, may cunningly lure them with a bait that could lead them to irreversible contrition.

He also counselled them to be wary of any sugar-coated utterances that may eventually turn their hope into forlorn and jeopardize their future at a time when the deceptive elements will not be available for rescue. (NAN)