Sultan urges Muslims to unite, defend religious freedom

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerian Muslims to unite and protect their right to practise Islam without hindrance.

He made the call  Thursday at the General Assembly of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, held at the National Mosque, Abuja.

The Sultan said the gathering was significant, coming about seven years after the council’s last General Assembly.

He said the meeting offered Muslim leaders from across the country an opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen their bonds as “one big family of Islam.”

The Sultan added  that although the council had continued to hold expanded General Purpose Committee meetings, some decisions and engagements required a properly constituted General Assembly.

“All of you are aware why we didn’t hold the General Assembly for some  years. But we’ve been holding expanded General Purpose Committee meetings,” he said.

He attributed the delay partly to financial constraints, saying the council had sought assistance to enable it to continue fulfilling its responsibilities to the Muslim Ummah.

The Sultan said the assembly came at a critical period, given the challenges confronting Nigeria and the wider world.

“It is coming at a time when we should be attentive, we should be a little more conscious because we all know the situation in the country, the situation in the world, and we Muslims have a lot of roles to play,” he said.

He urged Muslims not to remain passive when issues affecting their faith and welfare arise.

He said Muslims should engage constructively to protect their religious interests while respecting the rights of others.

“What we need in this country and anywhere else is for us, as Muslims, to be allowed to practise our religion without hindrance,” he said.