NAHCON Commissioner cautions clerics against blaspheming Prophet 

From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto

A Commissioner with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON), Sheikh Abubakar Yagawal, has called on Muslims to abhor and oppose any cleric perpetrating blasphemous contents in whatever guise, to ensure peaceful coexistence in the country.

Yagawal, a renowned Islamic cleric who is also the Leader of the National Sufi Council of Nigeria and National Commissioner in the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), made the call after Friday prayers in Sokoto.

He described the recent utterances made by a cleric in Sokoto, which were attributed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), as unbecoming and capable of instigating violence among Muslim communities.

He enjoined Muslims to refrain from attending such gatherings and engage in collective prayers to stop such reckless statements against the noblest Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Yagawal stressed that a coalition of Islamic religious groups in Sokoto state had called on the federal and state governments and security agencies to investigate and sanction Lukuwa over the utterances.

According to him, the groups are strengthening collaboration to ensure justice is done on the issue for safety and peaceful coexistence, noting that blasphemy against the Prophet surely attracts calamity and chaos in society.

The scholar made references to religious provisions, stressing that similar incidents occurred in some states where authorities ensured the rightful handling of the situation and that erring persons were sanctioned accordingly.

He warned that religious tolerance should not be misconstrued as a licence for individuals to make pronouncements capable of provoking religious sentiments, inflaming passions or undermining matters regarded as sacred by millions of Muslims.

According to him, the demand was not for mob justice, intimidation or extrajudicial punishment, but for accountability, due process and the application of the law if competent authorities establish that an offence has been committed.

He further called on Muslims across the state and beyond to remain calm and refrain from actions capable of worsening the situation.

“We have contacted government and law-enforcement authorities to demonstrate that even the most emotionally charged religious disputes can be resolved through justice, transparency and the rule of law,” he added.

He appealed to scholars, traditional rulers, community leaders and the public to exercise maximum restraint, arguing that differences in theological interpretation should be resolved through scholarship, dialogue and the courts rather than through street action.

It could be recalled that the utterances made by Lukuwa went viral on social media platforms and had attracted reactions from different individuals and groups within and outside the state.