Cleric admonishes Muslims to embrace dialogue

ABUJA – Prof. AbdulRahman Oloyede, University of Ibadan Mosque Chief Imam, on Thursday called on Muslims to seek dialogue in resolving crisis.

Oloyede made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, dialogue is important toward achieving the peaceful co-existence and development of any nation.

He said that without dialogue there could be no peace in any part of the world whether “we like it or not’’.

He, however, advised the Muslim Ummah across the world to always see it as a most to dialogue in which ever condition they found themselves.

“I want the Muslims to co-habit more with non-Muslims within and outside the country for a peaceful world.

“I want the Muslims to use this holy month as a usual sacrifice, spiritual cleansing and closeness to the Almighty Allah,” he said.

He said that the religion of Islam was anchored on peace; therefore, the Almighty Allah frowned at any believer who does something on the contrary.

The chief Imam appealed to Nigerians to shun the idea of ethnic, tribal and religious affiliations in order to move the country forward.

“The era of Ijaw man, Igbo man, Itsekiri man, Yoruba man, Hausa man is gone.

“ Let us see ourselves as one Nigeria striving to take the country to a greater height,” he added.

He urged the Muslims to make the Holy Quran their companion and always act according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He also called on Muslims to give alms to the needy not only in the month of Ramadan, but even in other months.

The cleric reminded those in authority that justice was the hallmark of any administration, saying that without justice there would be no peace.

He enjoined Muslims to continue to see dialogue as a veritable tool for conflict resolutions no matter the situation.

Oloyode said there was no society that could develop in an atmosphere of rancour; therefore “we should all embrace peace’’.

He urged Muslim leaders to lead their followers on the right path and avoid any act capable of breaching the peace of the land.

“We Muslims should cultivate the habit of giving alms to the needy, especially in this holy month.

“We Muslims should also make it compulsory to love our neighbours as we love ourselves for peaceful co-existence,” he admonished. (NAN)