Ramadan: Uwakwe tasks Imo Muslims on religious tolerance
By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
As Islamic world observes the 2026 Ramadan, the Chairman of Imo State Muslims Council, His Eminence, Prince Basheer Mohammed Uwakwe has charged Muslims in the state to always ensure total adherence to the tenets of Islam by being patient and tolerant.
Uwakwe who spoke exclusively to newstap.com.ng in Owerri Thursday urged healthy Muslims to use the opportunity of this year’s Ramadan to renew their faith and relationships with Allah by praying day and night, fasting, reading the Qur’an as well as giving alms to the needy in society.
The chairman enjoined Muslims to shun all vices such as terrorism, banditry, religious bigotry and intolerance in order to ensure a safe and peaceful Ramadan season.
His words, “A good Muslim following the instructions of Allah is not supposed to be a terrorist, bandit or killer of fellow men or destroyer of other people’s property because they are non Muslims.
“Islam abhors extremism and preaches moderation in the conduct of human affairs. Extremism is not of Islam. Islam is all about patience. The shortest way to paradise is patience. Anyone claiming to be a good Muslim and is a terrorist or an extremist is not a Muslim but just using Islam as a cover-up.
“A Muslim is not supposed to be a killer of fellow human being because Islam condemns that. There is nowhere in Islam jungle justice is permitted. If one offends a Muslim, the Muslim should take the aggressor to court or the Sharia for redress. If Muslims are free to kill those who offend them without prosecution and conviction, then there is no need for Sharia.”
Reacting to the recent designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ by the United States of America government under President Donald Trump, Prince Uwakwe declared that the disgrace is slammed on those whose illicit activities attracted the CPC tag, not on the country or her good citizens.
He condemned violent attacks by terrorist organisations like ISWAP, Boko Haram and Lakurawa in parts of the country insisting that they are not acting on behalf of Muslims despite their chants of ‘Allah kubar’ during their nefarious operations.
“Those carrying out genocide against Christians are being perpetrated by people who do not fear God. Christians, Muslims and Jews who believe in the Bible, Qur’an and Torah respectively are one as ‘People of the Book.’
“The issue of genocide against Christians is not an Islamic affair or project but a Fulani conquest agenda. It began in 1804 through Uthman Dan Fodio and it’s still being prosecuted till date.”
