The founder of Islamic Research and Da’awah Foundation, Sheik Nuru Khalid, says more Imams need to damn consequences and speak truth to power on myriad of challenges facing the country.
Speaking when he appeared on Trust TV programme, Daily Politics, on Wednesday, Sheikh Khalid said very few Imams could muster the temerity to speak on the dire situation in the country.
Recall that Khalid, who was the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Central Mosque, Abuja, was suspended and later sacked by the mosque’s committee, after excoriating the president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration handling of Nigeria’s security challenges.
Imam said clerics should not be scared of calling out public officials whenever they don’t live up to expectations .
“Very few imams speak on the ugly situation in the country. And this is the right time to speak up. If you are an Imam, don’t be afraid. Speak the truth and let them take their mosque.”
Sheikh Nuru Khalid said he was not notified of his suspension personally and that he first learnt about it in the media.
He disclosed that no committee sat to deliberate on the matter, adding that it was a unilateral decision of the mosque chairman, Senator dansadau.
He stated, “It was a one-man show, as no committee sat before the said suspension. If they wanted me to go, they should have approached me in person and I would have gladly have left. I’ve nothing to lose.”
The cleric said the mosque was not owned by the government as it was established by a Muslim committee in the legislative quarters.
However, the imam accused Senator DanSadau of using the pulpit of the mosque, which he had in the past deployed to criticise past government, to defend the present administration.
He added, “I was in Jos when the congregation booed DanSadau because of his continued habit of defending the government. This is the man who criticised other governments on the same pulpit.”