Shekh Ibrahim Yakubu El-Zakzaky (H)

Monday, 14 January 2013

Sheikh Zakzaky Cautions Against Violent Conflicts

Posted By: Unknown on 10:22

By Ibrahim Usman

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqub Zakzaky was the centre of attraction at the just concluded innaugural ceremony of an NGO, Christian/Muslim Alternative to Conflict at Arewa House, Kaduna, as he was among the special guests of honour at the occasion.

The innaugural ceremony which was attended by both Muslim and Christian clergies, as well as many of followers of the faiths, discussed roots of conflicts, its management and resolution among other things.

Sheikh Zakzaky in his goodwill message, explained that having many ethnic and religious groups in a country is not a problem. “It is not a problem at all, for that is natural and that is how God want us to be, there is no avoinding it. If one views this as a problem, then is there a problem that has no solution? Tell me no, then any “problem” that has no solution is not a problem at all”.

He pointed out that having different ethnic and religious groups becomes a problem only when people perceived it to be, adding that the society should reap from the blessing of the diversity through understanding and respect for each other’s culture and beliefs. “There can never be a society with one religion or ethnic group. Dialogue is used when it comes to religion,” he said. He also cautioned against engaging in violent conflicts, and laterlook for resolution. “Why fight in the first place?”, he asked.

Sheikh Zakzaky also said, to get to the root of a problem, the society must find out beneficiaries of the conflict, who he said are the perpetrators of the conflict. He called on both Muslims and Christians not to be used by perpetrators of conflict as agents of destruction. He also warned perpetrators of conflicts: “One day you will be devoured by the same conflict you instigate”.

Sheikh Zakzaky commended the organization for the innitiative worthy of emulation and pledged co-operation of the Isamic Movement in Nigeria to achieve the set objectives.

Earlier in his presentation, the chief host, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Musa Gashash (Sardaunan Matasan Nijeriya), identified the many categories of conflicts in the Nigerian context and the trauma within.

He pointed out that part of the objectives of the organization was to curb these violent traits and trauma in all shades and colors, and “to examine our own lives and to make our own commitment to live peacefully with all around us and to accept one another as brothers and sisters.

He extended invitation to all religious bodies, individual and groups to share experiences and find alternative to conflicts in Nigeria.

Chairman of the occasion, Comrade Sheuhu Sani of the Civil Rights Congress, represented by Mohammed Lawal Salisu, innaugurated officials to run affairs of the organization, and called on them to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

Sheikh Zakzaky: ethnic groups, regions are NOT Problems at all

Posted By: Unknown on 03:06

During the Inaugural ceremony of the Association of Christian/Muslim Alternative to Conflict(C-MAC) held at Arewa House Conference Hall, Kaduna on Wednesday the 9^th of January 2013, the Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky delivered a goodwill message

to the attendants comparising of Muslim Clerics, Bishops and large number of both Muslims and Christians participants.In his message the Leader wished the Association the best of success in its endeavour to achieve its goals adding that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria will contribute to the success of the new association.

He further said the problems in Nigeria are perceived by people to be many whereas it is not. He elaborated that having ethnic groups is blessing from Allah as nobody has made an application to choose the ethnic group or area he wants to be. He therefore said, the issue of regions and ethnicity are not problems at all. This is because; he said these are natural things which have no solutions.

Speaking further on issue of religion he outlined that religion is the matter of believe and conviction and working in accordance with its teachings. He therefore said religion is to do with discussions on areas where adherents of the religions agree and where they differ. He however, stressed that one thing which is very clear is that “we must live together”.

He further called on all people to embrace peace “if we must live together why then must we fight” adding that people must skip the problems and go to the solutions. He further stated that ‘are we going to have a country with single religion?’ the answer is No, he said, adding that then people must live together in harmony.

On the issue of crises in Nigeria, Sheikh Zakzaky stated that whenever there are crises, look for those who benefits from the crises, one can easily arrive at the right answer. One of the causes of crises in Nigeria is by the leaders just to maintain their position on Power, the Sheikh said. He therefore warned that those who cause crises for power and selfish interest will be consumed by it one day. He also called on all the people, especially the youths, not to be used or involved in any crises whatsoever.

Sheikh Bin Fodiye Annual Conference: Sheikh Zakzaky Clears Historical Distortions

Posted By: Unknown on 10:25

By Ibrahim usman

Some historical perspectives on life and times of legendary revivalist, Sheikh Uthman Bin Fodiye were distorted and significance of his jihad misconceived over the years.

This was stated by Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky(H), at the 5^th Annual Conference of Sheikh Uthman Bin Fodiye, organized by the Resource Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Abuja branch held at the Abuja Central Mosque.

Sheikh Zakzaky pointed out that, right from the onset, Sheikh Bin Fodiye did not bring Islam to the region but fought injustice and innovation through preaching, teaching and examplary good conduct.He said, Sheikh Bin Fodio devoted his 63 year life span in the search of knowledge and teaching, which made him a symbol of learning.

According to Sheikh Zakzaky, Sheikh Bin Fodiye was an Islamic scholar, and not a traditional ruler as he is being portrayed. The name “Fodiye”, he explains, means Islamic scholar and he therefore represented knowledge.

“Sheikh Bin Fodio could not just keep silent on the prevailing situation of injustice and religious distortion by rulers he found himself, being a schloar who was divinely vested with the trust of speaking out against injustice and misrule”, said Sheikh Zakzaky.

Sheikh Zakzaky also explained that some mythical historical distortions had given Bawa Jan Gwarzo, the ruler at the time of Sheilh Bin Fodiye’s struggle, supernatural powers over and above Sheikh Bin Fodiye, which he said were unfounded.

He pointed out that, though Sheikh Bin Fodiye was a threat to Bawa Jan Gwarzo, he was however diplomatic with him, til his death and subsequent rulers took over him.

Another misconception cleared by Sheikh Zakzaky was portraying the Jihad of Sheikh Bin Fodiye as a tribal issue, to be specific Fulani versus Hausa. “This is why sometimes they refer to it as Fulani Jihad”, he added. He emphised the Sheikh Bin Fodiye’s Jihad was an Islamic Jihad which changed the course of history, as there were Fulani, Hausa and other tribes among his students and disciples. He cited the example of Shehu’s flagbearer in Bauchi, Yakubun Bauchi, who he said was not Fulani.

“Sheikh Bin Fodiye did not necessarily used sword to successfully actualized his revolution. His, like other revivalists, was a revolution of knowledge and good conduct which he used as basic weapons to change the unjust system of his time. The then rulers were Muslims who mixed Islam with sorcery, bad innovations and tyranny. Sheikh Bin Fodio could not have kept quite silent in the face of these as an Islamic scholar who was looked upon as a role model”, said Zakzaky.

Drawing the lessons to be learned in the life and times of Sheikh Bin Fodiye, Sheikh Zakzaky said in the current Nigerian situation, where traditional institutions similar to the time of Shehu are intent on destroying the remnant of his good work, it is incumbent on those who are now living in the land where the Shehu lived to revive the Jihad of Shehu.

He said, Islam is now portrayed as a religion of terrorists through evil machinations, and that they only way out of this is taking up the model of Sheikh Bin Fodiye.

“This is the land of Shehu and the land of Muslims and Islam, wheather one likes it or not, it is the truth. We are not dead, but in a slumber, and surely we will be awake”.