Govt urged to caution extremist preachers •As Tijaniyya celebrate Niass’s 117th birthday, 31st Mawlid anniversary in Nigeria

A group known as the Tijaniyyah Movement has attributed the actions of Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria to the activities of extremist Islamic preachers.

The chairman of the group’s local organising committee for the 117th birthday of Sheik Ibrahim Niass and 31st mawlid anniversary in Nigeria, which is taking place in Ilorin, Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrafiu Ayinla, therefore, urged security agencies in the country to arrest all preachers spreading messages of hate and teaching extreme doctrines.

He denied insinuation in some quarters that Tijaniyyah is a sect, saying the movement was conceived as an institution to influence the spiritual growth of adherents.

Ayinla, who said no member of the movement had been involved in crime, added that the movement had been peaceful since it was founded.

“Tijaniyyah is not a sect. As I said earlier, it is a spiritual institution to develop your soul towards attaining spirituality. That is the reason why in Islam, the Tijaniyyah Sufis are the only Muslim brothers that accommodate any other faiths. Because we believe that everybody is a servant of God. Whether you are a Muslim or a Christian, you are not subject to anybody other than Allah.

“If you get to a police station, you can’t find any record that Tijaniyyah had a clash with other religions. Without fear of contradiction, I can boast of that. All over Nigeria, we have that reputation,” he said.

According to him, the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State are billed to attend the forthcoming mawlid event in Ilorin.

A conference in respect of the event, held between Wednesday and Thursday (yesterday) at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, attracted delegates from within and outside the country. The Jumat service, dhikr Jumat and dhikr kasa will hold today at the Ilorin Central Mosque, Emir’s palace and Metropolitan Square respectively. Mawlid Day is tomorrow (Saturday) at Metropolitan Square, Ilorin, between 10.00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The LOC chairman, Alhaji Ayinla, said President Muhammadu Buhari will be the distinguished guest of honour, Senator Saraki, special guest of honour) and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, the chief host.

According to him, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, is the royal father of the day, while Khalifa Abubakar Yusuf Akoeyede, who is also the Grand Khalifa of Tijaniyyah, Kwara State, is the host.

He said the programme was designed to improve relationship among followers of Niass across the globe and immortalise the late scholar.