Nigerians Should Ignore Sheikh Jingir

Like most Nigerian Muslims, let me state without any equivocation that Sheikh Yahaya Sani Jingir—who recently made controversial remarks describing non-Muslims in unacceptable terms—did not speak for me, nor does he represent the majority of the more than 120 million Muslims in Nigeria. Jingir speaks only for himself and his own self-serving motives.
Granted, Sheikh Jingir has the right to his opinion, but when such a view is ill-informed and voiced by someone of his age and social standing, we have a duty to express our concerns. As the National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Jingir commands a considerable following. When ...