Bashir Ahmad Calls Out Islamic Scholars

Bashir Ahmad, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s former special assistant on digital communications, has chastised Islamic scholars for failing to speak out on the subject of banditry in northern Nigeria.

Bashir Ahmad said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that he is “puzzled as to why our Islamic scholars aren’t vocal in denouncing any association between Islam and banditry.”

He went on to say that the bandits have no link to the Islamic religion.

“Their actions contradict the teachings of our religion. Statistically, they have harmed more Muslims and Hausas than any other religious or ethnic group, with attacks constantly in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, etc.,” Ahmad wrote on X.

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“However, the lack of strong condemnation from our scholars often leads to the misconception that those barbaric acts of banditry are linked to Islam.

“The actions of those bandits are purely acts of terrorism, and they should be recognized as terrorists by everyone. They do not represent us or our religion,” he added.

Nigerians, on the other hand, retaliated, reminding him that he remained mute on banditry while his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, was in charge, only to suddenly speak up. Others accused him of encouraging violence in the north after a student, Deborah Samuel, was slain for supposed blasphemy.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli