Plateau: Jama’atu Nasril Islam rejects Gov. Muftwang’s SSA portfolio on Indigenous Muslims, cites divisive intent
The Plateau state chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has rejected the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant on indigenous Muslims by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Controversies emerged after governor Mutfwang appointed Hajiya Jamila Pam as Senior Special Assistant on Indigenous Muslims as many contested the appropriateness of the portfolio
The JNI and other Muslims in the state slammed the move as a bid to exploit ethnic differences among Muslims for political gain, stressing that the appointment should have been devoid of religious connotations
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Secretary of the group, Dr. Salim Musa Umar, said “PLSG is at liberty to appoint whoever they deemed fit to occupy any position of responsibility in discharging its duties as a government. Such is its prerogative and we are not questioning this.
“However, we deem it necessary as a religious organization to draw the attention of the state government on some salient issues regarding this appointment. We consider this appointment of an SSA to ‘indigenous muslims’ as not well thought out, because in Islam, any social stratification that is not embedded in the teaching of Islam is frowned at.
“The position of Islam as a religion is very clear on this; *Surah Al-Hujurat* (Chapter 49 of the Quran) “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (Qur’an 49:13) Going by the above verse in the holy Quran, every Muslim is not going to be comfortable with this appointment.
“We are all Muslims irrespective of any consideration. It would have been an all encompassing appointment where an SSA is appointed on Islamic affairs, where all Muslims will feel that sense of belonging. We call on the government to reconsider this appointment and accord it the necessary moral and religious approach to allow all muslims in plateau state that sense of belonging and inclusivity.”
