JNI demands suspension of debate with Abdul-Jabbar
Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has called for the cancellation of the planned debate between Islamic scholars in Kano state and Abdul-Jabbar over his alleged blasphemous utterances against the Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH).
The Kano State Government had condemned the act which was described as irreligious utterances Abdul-Jabbar, suspends him preaching or teaching and equally announced Sunday 7th March as the date for the debate to counter the teacher.
However, according to JNI a statement that was issued by its Secretary-General (SG), Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the issue has been blown out of proportion and it has been given undue publicity.
He said: “A hero have been made out of a cowardly and disrespectful act on the most distinguished of Allah’s creatures, Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Abdul-Jabbar does not deserve the kind of publicity and attention accorded him since the break of this act of indignity”.
According to him, “JNI feels that it is not even proper to debate with Abdul-Jabbar as someone who openly blasphemes against the noble Prophet. His fate is sealed Islamically; there’s no point giving him additional opportunity and coverage to further spew his ungodly past-time to the world”.
“Had the Kano State Government consult most of the notable personalities invited (or expected) to grace the planned debate, the stated pitfalls would have been avoided. Therefore, JNI hereby declares that it was not privy to any of the steps so far taken hence it will not attend the planned debate and neither would any of its branches participate therein,” the SG further explained.
While wish the State Government and the Islamic Scholars (Ulama) Allah’s guidance JNI also expressed hope that the Government and other stakeholders involved in the process would reconsider their stand in this exercise.
He said: “JNI will never wither or relent in its quest for an organized, Godly, sane as well as a just society. We will never be compromised or deterred”.