"That problem can never be solved by drafting soldiers into cities where there is [a] problem - and in the process innocent lives were lost," said the sultan, who once served as military officer."
SoS
What is the SOS's recommendation of an effective solution to the wanton destruction of life and property in North Eastern Nigeria Boko Haram? If it is indeed the first time the Spiritual Leader of Nigeria's Muslims is speaking on the Boko Haram campaign, his loud silence warrants an explanation. It is intriguing that the choice is made to criticize actions by government taken to destroy the evil forces of Boko Haram at the same time that Boko Haram is not condemned for its mindless destruction of property, and innocent lives of fellow citizens. What about speaking for the many innocent victims who have lost their lives and property?
Is it not reasonable to expect a Spiritual Leader worth his/her salt to speak for victims of unprovoked violence before speaking for violent victimizers? You do not resolve a challenge by attacking its effects. You do by dealing with the bases and underlying causes of the challengeA Spiritual Leader's legitimacy is based on morality more than anything else. Religion is first and foremost a moral force. True religions are about right and wrong and not about interests and privileges. . A crime is no less a crime because the criminal is one of us. A crime is a crime is a crime.
Boko Haram is not a religious organization or movement. It is a terrorist group that threatens Nigeria's wholeness as a country as she pursues political objectives clothed as religious objectives. Boko Haram is an extremist hate group that undeniably hurts and undermines Islam. Boko Haram's continuing "successes" causes many Nigerians to believe that she has powerful domestic and foreign sponsors and supporters.
The time has come for some Nigerians to choose between a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria and their religion. This choice has become necessary because religion more than corruption in some parts of the North of Nigeria, is the greater threat to the Nigerian state.
oa
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of ifuemia [ifuemia@googlemail.com]
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 1:04 PM
To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; Nigerian IDENTITY; OBSERVE YOURSELF; USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com; pcdbooks@yahoo.com
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - BBC NEWS AFRICA: Nigeria: Sultan of Sokoto condemns Boko Haram crackdown
It is the first time the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims has spoken about the insurgencyThe sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims, has condemned the military crackdown against the Islamist Boko Haram sect.
"We cannot solve violence with violence," Mohamed Sa'ad Abubakar told a meeting of religious leaders.
The Boko Haram, based in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, says it is fighting for Islamic rule.
It has been behind recent assassinations of prominent figures and a wave of bombings.
Two years ago, Nigeria's security forces brutally suppressed an uprising by the sect, destroying its compound in Maiduguri - the capital of Borno state - and then capturing and killing its leader Mohammed Yusuf.
Instead of disappearing, the group, which opposes Western education and is fighting for Islamic rule, re-emerged last September and vowed to avenge its leader's death.
Last month, it said it had carried out an attack on the headquarters of the Nigerian police in Abuja, which killed at least six people.
But the response of the security forces has led to criticism from rights group and the governor of Borno state.
Correspondents say many residents of Maiduguri are now more scared of the army than they are of Boko Haram.
"That problem can never be solved by drafting soldiers into cities where there is [a] problem - and in the process innocent lives were lost," said the sultan, who once served as military officer.
It is the first time the sultan has spoken about the Boko Haram insurgency.
Muslim clerics who have criticised the sect have been among those targeted for assassination in drive-by shootings over the past year.
The sultan also said the five policemen who have just gone on trial this month for the killing of Mr Yusuf should not be given bail.
Boko Haram's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad".
But residents of Maiduguri, where it was formed in 2002, dubbed it Boko Haram.
Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, this means Western education is forbidden.
Boko Haram sees such education as corrupting Muslims.
Nigeria - Africa's most populous nation - is split between the predominately Muslim north and largely Christian south.
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