It is un-Islamic, Kaduna activist condemns Jingir’s ‘infidels’ comment

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A Kaduna-based social activist and whistleblower, Mahdi Shehu, has criticised Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Jingir, over his recent description of Christians as “infidels”, describing the comment as reckless and contrary to Islamic teachings.

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Shehu made his position known in a post on X on Tuesday, accusing Jingir of making what he described as “unguarded, inciting and reckless statements.”

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He argued that referring to Christians as infidels was inconsistent with the Quran’s description of Christians as Ahl al-Kitab, or “People of the Book.”

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“His venomous statement is contrary to the dignified name of AHLIL-KITAB given to Christians in the Quran by Allah himself as can be found in various verses of the Quran, such as in Sura Al-Ma’ida 5:19, 5:59 and 5:68 and many other places,” Shehu said.

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He warned that the cleric’s remarks could undermine efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, particularly in Northern Nigeria where he said peace remained fragile.

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“Jingir’s unschooled statement has triggered another circle of reversing efforts of building peaceful co-existence between people of different faith, particularly in Northern Nigeria where peace is fragile,” he said.

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Shehu also appealed to Christians who were offended by Jingir’s comments not to generalise his position to the wider Muslim community.

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“Christians should take note that Jingir’s irresponsible and senile statement of referring to Christians as Infidels is unislamic, cruel and insensitive and does not represent the views of millions of peace loving Muslims,” he said.

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The activist further accused the cleric of making the controversial comments to attract attention and secure political patronage.

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“His … like statement is nothing but an invitation to be noticed and solicitation for continued political patronage so as to continue living in fake and undeserving temporary comfort,” Shehu alleged.

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He also took a swipe at Jingir’s age and status as a religious leader, saying, “Jingir should be ashamed of himself for willingly and deliberately discarding his age into the dustbin of ignorance.”

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While acknowledging that Christians had legitimate grounds to be offended by the remarks, Shehu urged them to distinguish between Jingir’s position and that of other Muslims.

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“Christians have the right to feel pained and react harshly. But their anger should be directed to Jingir and his cohorts and not to millions of Muslims who don’t share Jingir’s mental derailment,” he added.

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