The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam had called the Christmas sermon delivered by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah was an attack on Islam.
In a JNI statement on Wednesday, it stated that the sermon was an attack on Muslim and Islam across the country.
Recall that Bishop Kukah, in a message on Christmas day, accused the President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism.
Bishop Kukah came under attack by the Presidency and supporters who called for the sanction of the Bishop.
However, on Wednesday in Kaduna, a statement titled, ‘Press release on Reverend Kukah’s Christmas homily,’ and authored by the JNI’s Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, described Kukah’s message as “irresponsible and seditious.”
The statement reads partly, “Though the message is disguised as political hogwash to deceive the innocent, there is no doubt that it was a poisoned arrow fired at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria, hence the need for this intervention.
“The Bishop statement was a prepared address considering the occasion and the audience; one cannot but agree that it was a calculated attempt to insult Islam which is typical of him.
“His veiled insinuation that Muslims have a pool of violence to draw from is disgusting, disheartening, as well as condemnable.
“Responsibly, Christmas homilies should come with messages of hope, unity, mercy, the forgiveness of the Supreme Being and resilience through prayers, especially in this trying time.
“The Bishop’s message was however a clear deviation from the well-established norm across the globe.”
Source: Punch
