As Abuja prepares to host a major conference of Quran scholars, Nigerians remain divided over the initiative. While some view it as a step toward unity and national progress, others have criticized it on the grounds that it is politically-motivated.
Professor Khailani Mohammed is one of the proponents of the initiative; and in response to the debate on the issue, said: “First of all, in this country, we have more Quran scholars than Saudi Arabia or the Arab world; yet, their governments has not provided them with any assistance.
“Secondly, those who proposed the idea of private schools or boarding schools during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who introduced the Islamic tsangaya schools and the support plan for them, found the opposite during the subsequent, administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari whereby the tsangaya schools were abolished .
“Now, under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we feel that there is a need to revive this important programme. All along, we have been talking for a long time about restoring this programme, how to integrate our schools with Islamic ones such as the tsangaya schools for almajirai, and then be feeding them there, so that the almajiris do not have to wander the streets begging in our towns and cities, which has led to insults against us Northerners. These are among the issues that will be discussed at the meeting; whereby we hope to draw the attention of the Government on this issue.
“Thirdly, if you consider that when you go to Saudi Arabia, once the call to prayer is given, everyone goes to the mosque; and their communities are all adhering to this, because that’s what the law says.. but here in Nigeria, everyone does what they deem fit in our religion of Islam.
“That’s why the organizers of this programme said this is the time for our Muslim community – since we have one faith, one religion – to become one single undivided community, and unite in such a way that will bring peace and the development of Islam in Nigeria.
‘I think this is very good, and in the eyes of these Quran memorizers, who will all gather at the conference, they will be seen, and they will be competing as usual. And those who win the competition should get a befitting reward.. and their performance should be recognized, and what should the Government do for them. This is what is appropriate.
“On our part, we see this as a good thing, that we want to call for God Almighty to protect Nigeria from all the negative things that are happening in our country; such that the conference will provide a forum whereby the Government would be alerted, so that they’ll know about the situation which the citizens of the country are facing; and if they were aware before but did not do anything, then they should come and do it now.
“With the planned conference, we believe that this is the opportunity which every Muslim should take advantage of positively, instead of sitting back and making accusations, or making excuses.
He further said, “It is better for us to go and see what will be done at the meeting, whether it is a good thing that will take Islam forward”.
When asked why he thinks the Muslim community does not support the plan, even though the Sultan of Sokoto came out to support this plan, he replied: “Well, in my opinion, the lack of unity among the Muslim community is the main reason why. Have you not seen even on the issue of moon sighting, His Eminence, the Sultan of the Muslims, who is the one whom God has given the leadership of the nation of this country, but you will see that there are those who believe that His Eminence is not the one who is worthy to be championing such; and so, whenever the moon of Sallah is sighted, and comes out and announce that the moon has been sighted, but some will say no, they will not do it. And the Sultan, the Head of the Muslim Ummah will come out and say that it should be done, but they will say that they refuse.
“Therefore, we believe that if every Muslim practices this religion of ours as it ought to be practiced, as God instructed us, to worship only Him and his messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him); this is the Islam we ought to be strictly adhering to.
“As the Muslim ummah, we should come together, because now is an auspicious time. These so-called experts, if you critically examine their situation, you will see that they are the ones who do not want the development of Islam in Nigeria.
“Therefore, we call on them, those who are insisting that if it is not them, then no other person or persons would do, including Sheikh Bala Lau himself, who started this thing – to have a rethink”.
“We hope that may Allah bless this upcoming conference, and bring us development in nation. Indeed, apart from Nigeria, even the Arab countries will also come to this conference, therefore, I don’t see any reason why the Muslim community in this country should be criticizing or complaining and stirring up trouble, or be whining on what we have long wanted to do, which is to achieve peace and development.
“Therefore, we urge all those who are against this programme, to put their opposition aside, and let us come and build this Islamic religion of ours, so that we may be saved on the Day of Judgment”, he emphasized.
