Nigerian Muslim scholars are vehemently opposing a decision to restrict preaching in a northeastern state to only those vetted by the government, warning the move could backfire, reports IslamOnline.net. “Censorship is not Islamic at all,” said Sheikh Abeebullah Adam, spokesman of the League of Imams and Alfas of South Western Nigeria, adding, “To ask scholars to seek permit before they preach is totally alien to Islam and unacceptable.” Ahead of Ramadhan, which began on August 22, authorities in the northern state of Borno gave 150 scholars temporary permits to preach, provided that they abide by 11 conditions, and banned 30 others. Borno state Governor Ali Modu Sheriff also plans to amend the law and create a new preaching board to vet preachers.
Sheikh Adam, director Markaz, Nigeria’s largest centre of Islamic study, insists that there are eminent sheikhs who can be approached for such action. “They should do the censorship, and not the government,” Sheikh Adam said, adding, “Any attempt to gag preaching is like repressing the rights of people to access information about their religion.” Justice Abdulqadir Orire, former Secretary of the Jamaiyyatu Nasrul-Islam (JNI) and a retired Judge of Kwara State, also urged the government to be cautious.