A cleric, Alhaji AbdulRofiu Muhammad-Jamiu, has advised Muslim preachers who are in the habit of using social media to bully or abuse one another or other religions to shun the habit to avoid causing religious disharmony in Nigeria.
Muhammad-Jamiu gave the advice on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the national conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Preachers, South West Nigeria.
The theme of the conference was ‘Exploring the Misuse of Social Media in the Context of Islamic Values and the Contemporary Devastation between Palestine and Israel’.
The cleric stated that some preachers now use social media to abuse one another and interpret the Qur’an incorrectly for selfish gains; to attract more followers and make money.
Muhammad-Jamiu said such a habit contradicts the teachings of Islam and could cause disharmony and portray the religion in a bad light.
“As preachers, we must fear Allah in whatever we do. We should use social media to right the wrongs in the society, promote the beauty of Islam and encourage religious tolerance, and not to do otherwise.
“A lot of Muslims are now confused as a result of some messages we spread on social media. We must be careful and watch whatever we say in order not to misinterpret the Quran for our selfish gain and mislead the people.
“As Muslims, we must unite in doing the right things, condemn what is wrong in the society and adhere to the teachings of the holy Qur’an and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad in whatever we say and do,” he said.
He called on the preachers to be steadfast in the correct interpretation of the Qur’an and preach to people with wisdom, in a way that would not create disharmony among Muslim groups as well as other religions.
Earlier, the council’s National Chairman, Sheikh Taofeek Akeugbagold, said the aim of the conference was to address the issue of bullying among Muslim preachers, especially on social media, a situation which he said had become an embarrassment for many Muslims.
According to Akeugbagold, Islam teaches modesty and the conference was expected to critically look at the problem of misuse of social media and find a lasting solution to it without causing any rancour.
He called on Muslims to unite to address the problems confronting Muslims in the society so as to build a better world for generations to come.
In a remark, the deputy governor of Oyo State, Mr Bayo Lawal, called on all preachers, irrespective of religion, to be just in whatever they say.
Lawal, represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Salihu Adelabu, called on the preachers to avoid being sentimental in the way they preach to people.
On his part, another guest lecturer, Dr Ibrahim Adelani, called on media organisations to report accurately the conflict between Palestine and Israel, noting that many of the happenings in Palestine are underreported.
A highlight of the conference was the presentation of awards to some Muslims who have contributed to the progress of Islam in one way or another.
The awardees include the Oyo State deputy governor, Lawal; Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.
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