The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Saturday stressed the need for Nigerians to continue to be united, irrespective of the diverse religious, ethnic and cultural differences.
Abubakar, however, warned Islamic preachers in the country against greed, sensationalism and the pursuit of selfish interests.
The sultan gave the advice at a one-day workshop organised by the Sokoto State chapter of the National Council of Ulamas in Sokoto on Saturday.
The workshop, the first in its series, has as theme: “The Unity of the Muslim Ummah: Steps, problems and solutions.”
The traditional ruler said: “It is disheartening that some of the clerics in the country are greedy, sycophantic and egocentric.
“We should endeavour to set aside our ideological differences and work collectively toward ensuring the unity of the Ummah and Nigeria generally.
“We are said to have between 80 and 90 million Muslims in Nigeria; we should use the advantage of our number, so as not to lag behind.”
Abubakar, who described religious clerics as “the light of the society”, advised them to preach strictly in line with the provisions of the Holy Qur’an and the prophetic traditions.
The monarch also challenged them to guide the leaders aright whenever they seemed to be going astray.
“As leaders and followers, the clerics should always advise us never to go astray and if they don’t do this diligently, they will be failing in their God-given responsibilities,” he said.
The state Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, who was represented by Prof. Musa Maitafsir, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, also called for the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
The governor, who also stressed the need for Nigerians to unite, said it was crucial to safeguard the future of generation of Nigerians.
Wamakko said his administration was “strongly committed” to assist in the propagation of Islam.
“Our Ulamas (preachers) in the state are indeed united and this should be replicated in Nigeria and the world at large,” Wamakko said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Sen. Ahmed Sani, who was the former Governor of Zamfara State, commended the council for organising the workshop.
The senator, who was represented by Alhaji Abubakar Silame, the Vice Chairman of the council, said the occasion came at the right time.
He expressed optimism that the workshop would further entrench the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the country at large.
Two Islamic scholars: Dr Salihu Abubakar and Sheikh Isa Bagarawa, called on the Muslim faithful not to allow the various ideological differences to disunite them.
Participants, drawn from Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi , Zamfara, Jigawa and Katsina states, attended the workshop.
Sheikh Isyaka Rabi’u, a Kano-based Islamic cleric and businessman, donated N500,000 to the council.
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