Bauchi suspends Islamic cleric for ‘inciting preaching’

Bauchi State Government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Community Relations and Social Welfare, has suspended an Islamic cleric, Malam Abubakar Idris of Azare in Katagum Local Government Area for alleged inciting preaching,

The suspension of the preacher was contained in a statement with reference number, MORA&CR/S/OFF/04/II/26 dated 27 April 2021 and signed by Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu Jalam the Commissioner in charge of the ministry.

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The suspension letter titled, ‘Violation of the ethics of preaching and sermons in the state’ reads: “The attention of the Bauchi State Government has been drawn to the manner of your preaching and sermons. The report revealed that you are castigating the companions of our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) while conducting your preaching.”

When contacted on phone, the suspended cleric denied the allegations, saying, “The truth of the matter is that all the allegations were not true rather it was some people whom we have misunderstanding because of the differences between us that take advantage and put in politics in the issue.”

“To be frank, government officials did not understand the motive behind it because I was not contacted to hear from me on the matter. They just received the one-sided report and acted. I have no doubt on the content of my sermons and preaching and neither am I afraid of them to be taken to any authorities because I have not breached the tenets of Islam or contravened the law of the land,” the preacher said.