Ramadan: JNI warns against divisive preachings, tasks Muslims on moon sighting

As the annual Ramadan starts worldwide, the umbrella body of Islamic organisations in the country, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) on Friday asked Islamic scholars, Imams and preachers to avoid preachings that can cause violence in the country.

The Kogi state chairman of JNI, Ambassador Usman Bello, who said this at the annual pre-Ramadan press briefing in Lokoja, the state capital, also tasked the people of the state to commence moon sighting on Saturday (today).

According to him, the Muslim Ulamas in the country has the responsibility of contributing to the peace and tranquillity of the country, saying their preachings during Tafseer should be devoid of an attack on persons or religion.

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He said the JNI had put together guidelines for the scholars to ensure that the situation in the country is not aggravated by the contents of the preaching during the holy month.

He said part of the guidelines adopted was that preaching should be delivered with major highlights on what is halal and what is haram.

“During Tafseer/preaching, the Ulama should not engage in controversial issues that are capable of dividing the Ummah and diverting attention from the major problems affecting the Ummah.

“The Ulama should, during Tafseer/preaching,  proffer solutions to problems that have become endemic in the society, specifically corruption and injustice at all levels, political thuggery,  kidnapping,  armed robbery, adultery,  cultism, banditry,  the breakdown of Muslim family values, insecurity and other social vices and moral decadence bedeviling the society”, he added.

The JNI chairman, however, tasked Muslims in the state to start watching out for the moon that would herald the month of Ramadan and communicate to the appropriate authority for the eventual announcement.

He said, “The announcement of the moon-sighting will Insha Allah be made by His Eminence,  Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI”.

Bello said in Kogi state some royal fathers including the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe, Ejeh of Dekina, the Maigeri of Lokoja and the Olukotun of Ife-Olukotun should be contacted whenever the moon is sighted.