A leading Islamic scholar and preacher, Sheik Muyideen Ajani Bello, has declared that no true Muslim kills in the name of God, saying those found wanting of such crime are sheer criminals and not true Muslims.
He noted that Prophet Mohammed, who is the leading light of the religion, accommodated people of other faith and treated them with dignity.
Bello stressed that religious harmony remains elusive in the absence of tolerance and clear understanding of individual differences in all facets of life.
He made the assertion on Thursday, while delivering Pre Ramadan Lecture at the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, titled ” Religious Harmony, Panacea for Political and Economic Development in Nigeria” .
Bello further condemned those using God’s name to justify violence, saying God has no need to be defended by anyone and does not want His name to be used to terrorise people.
“We cannot restore the dignity of man by killing innocent people, we should desist from anything that can make us to be seen and regarded as fanatics.
“Without mincing words, anybody who kills while shouting Allah is not Muslims and will surely go to hell,” he said.
Bello described Islam as a religion of peace, which ultimately implies total submission to the will of Allah, while continue to live harmoniously with people irrespective of their faith.
In his remarks, nhe Governor of Osun, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola described religious disharmony as a bane to social and economic development.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Adeyanju Abdullahi Binuyo urged Muslims across the country to continue promoting peace and eschew any thing that could trigger religious crisis.
He however enjoined Muslimseto use the holy month of Ramadan to reach out to the needy and sustain cordial relationship with non Muslims.
Speaking earlier, the Genera Manager , NTA, Osogbo, Mr Abduwaheed Amusat said the topic of this year Ramadan lecture becomes imperative in the face of security challenges in Nigeria.
He added that NTA made an excellent choice in selecting Sheik Bello to deliver the annual Pre Ramadan Lecture.
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