President Muhammadu Buhari has urged religious leaders in the country to assist the government to overcome forces of destruction by enlightening their followers to guard against religious extremism and terrorism.
The president made the call when he received the leadership of Qadiriyya Islamic Movement in Africa at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.
According to him, Muslim leaders have a duty to promote the principles and tenets of Islam as a religion of peace and justice.
The President said those who “indoctrinate children and plant explosives on them to harm innocent people do not belong to any religion but terrorists who should be identified and fought until they give up their evil ways.’’
Buhari, who commended the Qadiriyya movement for promoting education, interfaith dialogue and good moral conduct in the society, expressed support for the proposed Islamic Centre in Abuja by the movement.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the Qadiriyya in Africa, Sheikh Qaribullah Kabara had congratulated the President on his emergence as his party’s candidate for the 2019 election.
He also commended the President on the achievements of his administration since coming into office, which he said included the diversification of the economy, increased power supply and food sufficiency.
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state, who led the delegation to the Presidential Villa, told State House correspondents that the Islamic movement was in full support of the president’s second term bid.
He said the Islamic Centre being constructed by the movement in Abuja was aimed at providing education for the youth, in order to reduce radicalism and other vices affecting the society.
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He said: “The group is here to first of all congratulate our President for picking the APC ticket to run for a second term of office.
“The group thanked the President for the development going on in Nigeria, especially the economy, which has improved as well as the improvement in electricity supply and agriculture. The group is in full support of the President’s second term bid.
We also used the opportunity to inform the President of the construction and importance of the Qadria Centre, which is being built here in Abuja.
“It is basically for education; especially for reducing extremism and radicalism in religion and this is the right time that such a Centre; it will help to control the minds of the followers.’’
The governor stated that the President appreciated the building of the Centre and pledged his support