Nigerian, Saudi clerics urge peaceful propagation of Islam

Some Islamic scholars from Saudi Arabia met with their Nigerian counterparts yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State to brainstorm on how to bring about peaceful propagation of Islam.

At the conference with the theme: Correcting The Wrongs In Society: Its Principles And Skills, the scholars averred that some Muslims have a wrong perception about the concept of jihad in propagating Islam.

They cited various historical events such as the relocation (Hijrah) of the Prophet of Islam from his birthplace, Makkah to Madinah, with the purpose of giving peace a chance between the Muslim faithful and the then unbelievers of Makkah.

The conference, organised by Darul Ikhtab Wa Sunnah, Ilorin in collaboration with the Nayat Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was the fifth in the series, as similar events had been held in Abuja, Lagos, and Ogun states.

Lead speaker at the conference, Shaykh Solih Ibn Ali Abu al-Khayl of the Saudi Arabia Islamic Centre, admonished those interested in propagating Islam to do so peacefully and in accordance with the dictates of the Holy Qur’an and traditions of Prophet Mohammed.

While reminding Islamic clerics responsible for propagating Islam (Dawah) that Islam abhors violence in whatever form and guise, he said acting in accordance with the tenets of the Holy Qur’an will ensure peace among Muslim faithful and adherents of other faiths.

Speaking, proprietor of Darul Ikhtab Wa Sunnah, Dr. AbdulKadir Salman Solagberu, said the conference was organised to acquaint Islamic scholars with the best ways of propagating Islam towards ensuring peaceful coexistence among people of various faiths.

He said there is a greater need for social interaction among human beings of various religious beliefs and this could only be achieved through peace.

Solagberu explained that Islam forbids terrorism in all its ramifications, urging those who have embraced terrorism as a means of propagating Islam to desist from the ungodly act.

Also speaking, a resource person at the conference, Dr. AbdulHamid Badmas of the University of Ilorin, urged Islamic scholars to engage in constructive criticisms, while trying to correct societal ills or personalities, rather than being combative or resorting to names calling.