Unite against extremism, Sani tells religious leaders

Senator Shehu Sani on Sunday in Kano State charged religious leaders in the North to be united against extremism and terrorism in the region.

Sani, who is representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the Senate, spoke at the residence of Sheikh Ahmad Datti  whom he paid a Sallah felicitation visit.

Sani, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts, also condemned the activities of terrorists, particularly in the North-East and advised religious leaders to rise up to the challenges, so as to orientate their followers on the need to live in peace and foster national unity.

He said, “Terrorism and religious extremism have given us a different perception from people outside Nigeria; as well as given us a wrong image of what we are in this country. Religious extremism has become a stumbling block to the unity of the North.

“It has also undermined the economic progress of the region and at the same time become a stumbling block for unity among the people.

“Terrorism and extremism have destroyed many countries of the world, like Yemen, Iraq, and so many other places. I believe as a region and a predominantly Muslim society, we should see Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia as role models; and not Somalia, Afghanistan or Iraq.”

Sani charged religious leaders in the region to, as a matter of duty, dissuade their followers from violence and terrorism.

He said, “You as religious leaders in the North which people are naturally attached to have a duty to uplift moral and ethical orientation of the society.

“We have seen that most times, people with little knowledge have always been the major problem and there is also problem with people who have too much knowledge.

“I think on the last note, religious leaders have a duty to lead a moral crusade that will deliver the North from the stranglehold of those who think differently from the way Islam is founded.”

He added, “In that sense, as religious leaders who millions of people listen to, you should not stay by the sideline and watch, you should not be passive, you should also not sit on the fence.”