Blasphemy: JNI rejects debate with Abduljabbar

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), an umbrella of the Muslim community in Nigeria, says it will not attend a debate with controversial Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara.

The debate scheduled for March 7 was organised by the Kano government.

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It will pit Kabara against the Kano Muslim clerics who have considered his preaching to be against the Prophet.

JNI, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto HRH Sa’ad Abubakar III, said it had not been privy to any steps taken so far so resolve differences.

In a statement by its secretary-general, Khalid Aliyu, JNI condemned “blasphemous utterances” against the Prophet, his family members and dedicated companions.

“At the beginning of the imbroglio, we commended the Kano State government for the step it has taken to avert calamity on the land and prevent break down of law and order,” he said.

“We equally expected that the government will consult widely on the way forward as this problem is not only restricted to Kano state; it’s a National or rather global phenomenon that affects every true practicing Muslim.

“It appears that the issue is blown out of proportion by giving it undue publicity by the government and individuals, thereby making a hero out of a cowardly and disrespectful act on the most distinguished of Allah’s creatures, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Abdul-Jabbar does not deserve the kind of publicity and attention accorded him since the break of this act of indignity.

“JNI based on most jurisprudential deductions feels that it’s not even proper to debate with Abdul-Jabbar as someone who openly blasphemes against the noble Prophet (SAW). His fate is sealed Islamically; there’s no point giving him additional opportunity and coverage to further spew his ungodly past-time to the world.

“Had the Kano state Government consult most of the notable personalities invited (or expected) to grace the planned debate, the above stated pitfalls would have been avoided. Therefore,  JNI hereby declares that it was not privy to any of the steps so far taken hence it will not attend the planned debate and neither would any of its branches participate therein.”