The National Da’Wah Officer of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Abdul-Ganiyy Raji, has declared that terrorists and bandits operating in Nigeria are not Muslims and do not represent the teachings of Islam, insisting that the religion stands for peace, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Raji stated this on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme as Muslims across the country marked the Eid al-Adha celebration.
Reacting to concerns over insurgency and banditry associated with extremist groups such as Boko Haram, the NASFAT cleric said Muslim leaders had consistently condemned terrorism and violence, contrary to claims that clerics had remained silent.
“People have come out to say these people are not Muslims. These people are not Muslims,” he said.
“And I’m going to say it right here too, that they are not representing Islam.”
According to him, groups that initially claimed religious motivations had now evolved into criminal networks focused on kidnapping and extortion.
“They are now kidnapping people, asking for money. Are you now going to say that the ransom they are collecting is being used to sponsor people to Mecca or to build mosques or schools for Muslims?” he queried.
Raji noted that many children in insurgency-affected communities had been denied access to education, arguing that such actions directly contradict Islamic principles of justice, compassion and human dignity.
The cleric also appealed to media organisations to create more platforms for moderate Islamic scholars to educate the public on the true teachings of Islam and counter extremist narratives.
“I also need to appeal to a TV station like Channels Television that coming to your station should not be a one-off event or an annual event. You need to provide a platform for Muslim clerics who have very good messages to pass across,” he said.
He added that prominent Islamic leaders in Nigeria, including the Sultan of Sokoto, had repeatedly denounced terrorism, extremism and violence carried out in the name of religion.
Raji cited several verses from the Qur’an to support his position that Islam rejects coercion, intolerance and violence in matters of faith.
Referencing Qur’an 2:256, he said: “God says there is no compulsion in religion.”
He also cited Qur’an 109:6 and Qur’an 60:8-9, which he said encourage peaceful coexistence and kindness toward non-Muslims who do not oppress others.
The NASFAT official further referenced the life of Prophet Muhammad, noting that the Prophet established peaceful relations among Muslims, Christians and Jews in Medina through the historic Charter of Medina.
According to him, the example set by Prophet Muhammad demonstrates that Islam encourages dialogue, justice and mutual respect among people of different faiths and backgrounds.
