metro

Be united irrespective of sects, Abuja National Mosque Imam urges Muslims

Published

9 months ago

February 8, 2025

Abuja National Mosque Imam, Sheikh Dr. AbdulKadir Al-Salman Sholagberu

Be united irrespective of sects, Abuja National Mosque Imam urges Muslims

An Abuja National Mosque Imam, Sheikh Dr. AbdulKadir Al-Salman Sholagberu, has called on Nigerian Muslims to unite and live with one another irrespective of sect differences.

Mr Sholagberu, who is the Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin Emirate, made the call on Friday while giving his Inaugural Jumat Prayer and Lecture at the National Mosque in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria could only witness development through unity, peaceful coexistence among religious groups, and religious scholars.

He said: “It is only through unity, righteousness, of preachers and scholars of the nations that people of a nation will be happy, attain progress, resulting in a successful progress and developmentnof such nations.

“And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ, except whom your Lord has given mercy. And for that He created them…” Al-Hud/ 118119.

“Scholars of the nation, it is time to unite ranks, an era of rapprochement between parties and sects, no party is better than the other, remember your Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, who said: “If a man says, ‘People are doomed,’ then he is the most doomed of them.” Narrated by Muslim.”

The Imam, therefore, urged preachers, scholars of the nation to learn from one another while also forgiving each other for there to be advancement and progress of society and the nation at large.

READ ALSO:

“Scholars of the nation, why don’t we excuse each other, learn from each other, and forgive each other.

“Isn’t it correct according to Sharia and belief, or is it not among the established principles of religion, that we cite the words of someone who has made a mistake? And if our answer is “No” and that it is not permissible!! Then you should not benefit from the knowledge of many of the scholars of Islam, nor from the authentication of the hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) by these scholars, such as Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, Imam Muhyi Al-Din Al-Nawawi, Jalal Al-Din Al-Suyuti, Ibn Al-Jawzi, and Al-Haythami. You should also boycott their books such as “Fath Al-Bari”, “Sharh Muslim”, “Fayd AlQadir”, etc. And if you do this, then peace be upon Islam,”

“Preachers of the nation,cast hatred behind you, and follow the path of the great imams in exchange, taking and giving. Look at Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his students citing the statements of those who had some innovations and some errors, so they cited the statements of al-Juwayni, Ibn Hazm, al-Ghazali, and others, may God have mercy on them all.

“My fellow preachers,the truth is accepted from any source, and whoever says it. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, accepted the truth brought by Satan in reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping.

“The Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, cited the words of the poet Labid when he was an unbeliever: “Behold, everything except Allah is false.” So if the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, accepted from Satan and cited the words of an unbeliever… then what about a Muslim who has made a mistake! Why do you hate and criticize him just because he does not follow your school of thought, and it may even go so far as to expel him from the religion!! What will you say to “There is no god but Allah” when it comes to you on the Day of Judgment?

READ ALSO:

“My brothers in the call, feel your responsibilities, and diagnose yourselves in a way that befits your position. There you will discover that you are the core of society, and that you are its pivot. You are like teachers in schools and doctors in hospitals. Without you, society would not be a society.

“From you, to you, in you, and with you will come the advancement and progress of society. It is time for you – may God protect you – to rearrange the papers of the call, unifying the ranks, and bringing together the parties and religious sects (Has not the time come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of God and what has come down of the truth?

“And they will not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened, and many of them are wicked) Al-Hadid/16 My fellow scholars… Excuse me, perhaps I have hurt you, but do we let the patient not take medicine for fear of disturbing him??!! And do we leave the wound without stitches for fear of causing him pain??!!

“So excuse me, O preachers, if I have hurt you, for you know that the skillful, honest, and firm doctor is the one who cuts open the stomach of the afflicted, cuts off the hand of the leper, and stitches the wounds of the wounded, and does not pay attention to groans or heed to screams. May God bless the one who said:

“If the wound heals on corruption # It shall be known of it neglect of The doctor. If the wound heals on corruption # the sickness will spread to the patient’s stomach,” said Sholagberu.

He urged muslims make up for what they owe from the past Ramadan as they await the coming of Ramadan and also refrain from hide grudges, hatred, lies, hypocrisy, drinking alcohol, adultery, embezzlement, and false reports.

“May God let me and you reach Ramadan, accept our offerings in it, and may God return it to us and to you for many years and times,” prayed Dr Sholagberu.

Related Topics:abuja Featured Muslims National Mosque

Up Next

Court orders Nnamdi Kanu to appear before Justice Nyako

Don't Miss

Police rescue Edo chief four days after abduction

metro

Falana faults FG over plan to transfer Ekweremadu’s prison sentence to Nigeria

Published

16 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Trends Admin

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana

Falana faults FG over plan to transfer Ekweremadu’s prison sentence to Nigeria

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to facilitate the transfer of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to Nigeria to serve the remainder of his organ harvesting sentence currently being served in the United Kingdom.

Speaking on Thursday at the opening of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Falana questioned why the Federal Government was prioritising Ekweremadu while 232 other Nigerians are still in British prisons without intervention.

Falana, who vowed to take up the matter, argued that the prisoner exchange programme lacks justification, especially when no British citizen is serving a jail term in Nigeria.

Addressing students at the event organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNIABUJA Chapter, Falana also weighed in on the recent clash between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer, A.M. Yerima, over a disputed property.

READ ALSO:

He condemned both parties for acting outside the law, warning that the Minister was “lucky not to have been shot” and insisting that no public official has the right to call any Nigerian a fool, including a minister.

While acknowledging that Wike acted under the Land Use Act, Falana faulted his lack of restraint and derogatory language. He also stated that the officer acted illegally by guarding private land and hiding under “superior orders.”

“Even the President cannot call any Nigerian a fool,” Falana declared, demanding that President Tinubu compel Wike to apologise.

On the theme “Litigation as the Bloodline of Justice”, Falana encouraged law students to embrace digital tools, noting that more West African courts are adopting virtual hearings and e-filing.

He was later honoured with the title Senior Advocate of the Masses, which he dedicated to the poor.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, commended the forum for bridging the gap between legal theory and practice, while urging students to uphold discipline, integrity and lifelong learning.

Falana faults FG over plan to transfer Ekweremadu’s prison sentence to Nigeria

metro

Kano JSC appoints new acting Chief Registrar, sanctions judiciary staff over misconduct

Published

17 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Trends Admin

Kano JSC Appoints New Acting Chief Registrar, Sanctions Judiciary Staff Over Misconduct

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has approved the appointment of Hussein Hassan-Suleiman as the new acting Chief Registrar of the Kano State High Court of Justice, following the retirement of Hajara Garba Ahmed on November 11, 2025.

The announcement was contained in a statement released on Friday by the judiciary’s spokesperson, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, who said the decision was reached during the Commission’s 87th meeting presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki.

According to the Commission’s Secretary, Amina Albasu, Suleiman—former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Ministry of Justice—was selected based on his “hard work, integrity, humility and dedication to duty.”

READ ALSO:

The JSC expressed confidence that the new acting registrar would uphold judicial ethics and carry out his responsibilities diligently.

In the same sitting, the Commission confirmed the appointment of 30 new Shari’a Court Judges who passed the required examinations and interviews.

The transfer and swearing-in of Magistrate Dayyabu Haruna from Kaduna State was also approved and carried out in line with constitutional procedures.

Meanwhile, the Commission disciplined a judiciary staff member, Ado Koki, over allegations of criminal conspiracy, perjury and gratification. He was accused of collecting ₦39,000 in exchange for issuing three plain affidavits used for land document processing.

Koki admitted receiving the money but claimed it was meant for newspaper publication and a Police report. Although not previously found negligent in his duties, the JSC ruled his conduct inappropriate and placed him on half salary for three months, issuing a stern warning against future misconduct.

The JSC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and indiscipline, stressing its commitment to upholding integrity, accountability and professionalism within the judiciary.

Kano JSC appoints new acting Chief Registrar, sanctions judiciary staff over misconduct

metro

Bandits kill 16 vigilantes, abduct 42 villagers in fresh Niger state attacks

Published

17 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Trends Admin

Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman

Bandits Kill 16 Vigilantes, Abduct 42 Villagers in Fresh Niger State Attacks

At least 16 vigilante operatives have been killed and 42 residents abducted following multiple bandit raids across communities in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The coordinated attacks, which occurred between Sunday, November 9, and Thursday, November 13, 2025, forced hundreds of villagers to flee their homes, leaving entire settlements deserted.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the first attack happened on Sunday when bandits stormed Dutsen Magaji village, abducting 22 people.

“Vigilantes went after them and engaged them in a gun battle. In the process, three vigilantes were killed and five people are in the hospital,” he said.

READ ALSO:

The gunmen reportedly returned before dawn on Thursday, targeting Magama village during early morning prayers.

“They surrounded the mosque while people were praying and kidnapped more than 20 people. Vigilantes followed them, unaware of an ambush. Thirteen vigilantes were killed,” the source added.

The Press Secretary to the Mashegu LGA chairman, Isah Ibrahim Bokuta, confirmed the killings, describing the slain operatives as heroes who died protecting their communities.

When contacted, the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said he would verify the attacks and provide updates.

Residents said that since Monday, several communities had been abandoned, including Dutsen Magaji, Borin-Aiki, Gidan Ruwa, and Magama, as families fled to Mashegu town, Kawo-Mashegu, and Manigi. Many displaced persons are currently staying with relatives in safer locations.

Meanwhile, the abductors of former chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Alhassan Bawa Niworo, have yet to release him despite reports that his family paid ₦70 million ransom.

He was kidnapped alongside NSIEC Commissioner Barrister Ahmad Mohammed and others on September 29, 2025, along the Mokwa–New Bussa road in Borgu LGA.

Bandits Kill 16 Vigilantes, Abduct 42 Villagers in Fresh Niger State Attacks