DCCN raises alarm over targeted killings of Muslims in South-East
The Da’awah Coordinating Council of Nigeria (DCCN), an umbrella body of all national and international Muslim organisations engaged in Da’awah (missionary) activities in Nigeria, has raised an alarm over what it described as the unfortunate credibly attested cases of targeted killings of Muslims and large scale destruction of their mosques and houses across the South East and some states in the South-South region.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the National Executive Council Meeting of the DCCN which was held at the FOMWAN National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja between Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June 2022 and was attended by all members of the Executive across Nigeria.
The meeting also noted the general level of insecurity across the country which has been exacerbated by various social vices being perpetrated by misguided elements, including social delinquency, separatist agitations, banditry, terrorism etc.
The DCCN, therefore, called on the Federal Government and State Governments in the region to live up to their constitutional responsibility by ensuring equality of opportunity for all citizens without any form of discrimination and also to bring perpetrators to justice.
According to the communiqué which was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Council, Muhammad Lawal Maidoki and its Secretary, Engineer Ahmad Jumba, the DCCN as a non-political and non-partisan Islamic group reiterates the message of Islam which enjoins social justice, good governance and promotion of moral conduct, security and well- being for the whole humanity.
The Council also noted the increasing use of social media for the spread of fake news and dangerous messages as a time bomb, adding that “Self-styled activists and conflict entrepreneurs have continued their unrestrained urge to set the nation ablaze. We, therefore, call on political actors and social commentators to put the interest of the nation above their personal interests.”
Regarding the current political development in the polity, the DCCN enjoined all the political parties and their candidates to conduct their activities within the law and avoid any act that can undermine the security and social stability of the nation.
While condemning the acts of duplicity by some individuals who have been making unguarded utterances and political statements to heat up the polity, the group also called for more collaboration and cooperation among Muslims and Christians to enhance healthy and mutually respectful relationships among the citizens for the greater good of the nation.
Welcoming the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the right of female students to the use of Hijab in Schools and Colleges in Nigeria, the DCCN said the landmark decision has laid to rest the “mischievous, self-serving interpretation and demeaning acts of some individuals in public offices and institutions using their positions to discriminate, oppress and humiliate Muslims on account of Hijab.”
The Council further called on all heads of schools; colleges; educational institutions; government establishments, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air force, Customs Service, Immigration Service, and Nigerian Civil Defence to come up with an implementation plan on Hijab in their various institutions.
The DCCN expressed gratitude to all affiliate organisations for their great work in the propagation of Islamic teachings across Nigeria and pray for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria. It also called on the International Community to restore peace in the various trouble spots across the world to ensure the purpose of creation and humanity.