Borno police holds stakeholders’ sensitization meeting on inciting, misleading preachings

AHMED MARI, Maiduguri

To regulate preaching activities in the state, the Borno State Police command has convened a stakeholders’ meeting with the Ulamas, traditional rulers, and media on the need to regulate Islamic preaching, the use of abusive language and inciting words.

Addressing the meeting, the Borno State Commissioner of Police,  Abdu Umar, said: “This meeting is a follow up to our earlier meeting held on Sunday with Governor Babagana Zulum and the inauguration of reconstituted Borno State Islamic Preaching Board, as well as the need to sensitize media and general public on the law.

“As the Ramadan fasting commences, there is the need for collaboration and partnership between the media and the police in editing and shelving any abusive and inciting words. Those of us in Borno are aware of the consequences of inciting preaching”.

He further said: “Media plays a great role in enlightening the Ulanas and general public on the Borno State Islamic Preaching Board Act 2010 for the regulation of Islamic Preaching in the state. The law was signed into law by the former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Sheriff in July, 20210.”

Also, in his remarks, the Director, Department of State Security, Alhaji Mamman Murtala, said: “Islam is all about peace; as such government cannot allow anybody to preach inciting words. This stakeholders’ meeting is to inform and educate general public on the Act and you (the media) are the centre of this meeting”.

“We need to bring all preachers and the media to help us in gate keeping all inciting and abusive word before it gets to the public. There is a place for the regulation of religious activities in the state. Preachers should avoid misleading and inciting word “, he stressed.

In his remarks, the Borno State Commissioner of Religious Affairs, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Hassan Abdallah, said the Ministry is the mother body that regulates the activities of the preaching board. I want to assure you of the Ministry’s commitment to support the board to actualize its mandate”.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Preaching Board, Mohammed Shettima, said religious matters were sensitive issues and assured that the Board will do everything to regulate the activities of the preachers..

He assured of the commitment to ensure that misleading and inciting worlds are edited before going on air.

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