An Islamic organization on its official Facebook page last week mischievously claimed that it has uncovered a plot by the Shiites to use the annual Maulud processions to cause mayhem, it therefore urged the security agents to use their power to deal with the Shiites.
It also called on the Tariqa Sufi groups to distant themselves from the Shiites during the Maulud festivities.
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria finds this allegation as mischievous, unfounded and out of touch with reality. It is also a deliberate intention at blackmailing the Islamic Movement to further instigate the security agents to engage in their usual extra judicial killings.
For decades the Islamic Movement has been in very good and commendable relations with all Muslim groups and non-Muslim groups alike in the country with the exception of the said group which considers any Muslim outside its fold as an infidel.
This Muslim unity concept by the Movement has led to the fact that during Maulud celebrations the Tariqa Sufi orders and the Islamic Movement join hands in conducting their programs peacefully to uphold the Muslim unity concept.
We therefore have no reason to believe that this year’s event will be any different, let alone result to chaos as insinuated by the mischievous group.
However, there are reports reaching us that some infiltrators dressed in black attires will be sent to join our Maulud processions ostensibly to foment trouble. This is not the first time such attempts have been made and we have successfully repelled such machinations and Insha Allah, this plot will also fail.
We hereby declare to the general public that as always our processions shall be peaceful and will continue to be. Last month we held mourning processions for the vicious killing of Imam Husain (AS), the Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S), but this month the processions are for the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet (SAWA) himself.
The mischievous group has no business advising the Tariqa Sufi orders to distance themselves from us, since just like us, they don’t also consider them as Muslims. We however use this medium to advise them to accept the saying of the Holy Prophet (SAWA) that anybody who proclaims the Kalimat Shahada is a Muslim, and stop the work of dividing the Muslim Ummah.
Whether in mourning or celebratory mood, we will always call on the authorities to obey court order and release our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky from detention. We will not relent in our efforts towards that.
SIGNED BY
IBRAHIM MUSA
PRESIDENT MEDIA FORUM OF ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA
Skype: Ibrahim.musa42
19/11/2018