Just in: Nigeria’s economic downturn worries NSCIA, sets up ‘Ummah Care Initiative’ to cater for Muslims

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has expressed deep concerns about the current economic reality in Nigeria caused by the eventual removal of subsidy on petrol.

The Council, in a statement signed by His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, NSCIA, and Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, ON, FNAL, Secretary-General, NCIA, and made available to Afrireporters, raised concerns about the aftereffects of the move on Nigerians, who are just recovering from the aftershocks of terrorism and insecurity and are now confronted with the biting economic downturn that has affected several households.

While highlighting the efforts of the federal and state governments in making palliatives available to Nigerians, the Council said it is aware that some states are discriminating against Muslims by excluding them from such interventions, citing Plateau State as an example.

To address the challenging situation in Nigeria, the apex Muslim body in the West African country said it has set up “the Ummah Care Initiative, conceived as an emergency palliative intervention to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship on the vulnerable members of the Muslim ummah.”

The statement said, “Given this emergency situation, the Initiative will mobilise resources across the country for the benefit of the socially excluded members of the Muslim community. After the exercise, the Initiative will dissolve into MESH which will continue with its generic work of alleviating the suffering of the Nigerian Muslims, giving hope to the poor and providing the basic needs to the most vulnerable.”

“The specific objectives of the Initiative are to: offer psycho-social support to Muslims facing natural and manmade disasters; advocate state response to the economic challenges that face the Muslim ummah at the moment; give religious and educational guidance to the poor, the weak and the socially excluded so that they will cope better with life; serve as the link between the rich and the poor in order to make the former fulfill their obligations on the latter in line with the Islamic provisions that prescribe rights and responsibilities for Muslims; and cooperate with other stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental, in advancing the cause of the Initiative.”

It added that the “NSCIA is poised to strengthen Muslims with support and assistance, especially at their critical points of need. Even if it is not enough, it is a demonstration that we care about one another and if there were more means, Muslims would still do better.

The Council called on Muslims in the country to continue to care for their brothers and sisters by giving the Initiative their unflinching support.