The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCI, in its reaction to the allegation by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, that the issuance of Sukuk bond by the Debt Management Office was an attempt to make Nigeria an Islamic nation, has alleged that Nigeria’s official cultures are mostly Christian traditions foisted on the country’s Muslims.
NSCI’s claim was contained in a statement its Deputy Secretary General, Salisu Shehu, released on Friday, where it condemned CAN’s position on Sukuk bond, saying the Christian body could not claim ignorance of the fact that even the World Bank had been involved in issuing Sukuk bond.
The Muslim body that is headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said Muslims faithful had been putting up with the country’s official cultures, which are Christian traditions.
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According to the statement, “This has been the factor that made Muslims to tolerate several practices or things that are essentially Christian in nature and outlook, in substance and form and indeed in principle and practice, but imposed on us.
“We have not been talking of Christianisation because Sunday has been forced on us as a work-free day, or the Cross as our hospital sign and symbol, our membership of the International Red Cross, and many other things including almost all the titles of the heads of academic institutions (chancellor, provost, dean, rector, etc.).
“Despite this remarkable tolerance from Muslims over the years, CAN appears to be increasingly becoming Islamophobic and paranoid about its hate and intolerance of Islam, casting aspersions, unnecessarily overheating the polity and unjustifiably creating fear and distrust in the minds of peace-loving citizens of our great country.”
