CAN Condemns Islamic Group Asking Kukah To Apologize Or Leave Sokoto

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed
displeasure over the call by the Muslim Solidarity Forum on the
Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, to
apologise for his alleged attack on Islam and Muslims or leave the
Caliphate.

The forum, which labelled itself as an umbrella body for Islamic
organisations, scholars and clerics, last Tuesday asked Kukah to
apologise or leave the state, insisting that his Christmas message
was capable of triggering religious violence in the country.

Reacting to the development, CAN described the call for Kukah to
apologize as ‘no issue’ adding that he is saying the truth.

The General Secretary of CAN, Barrister Joseph Daramola, who
spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday said: “there is no issue
there. Why are they personifying the matter. The man (Kukah) is
saying the truth and they trying to put religious politics into it.
This people are myopic in everything they are doing. Let them go
and read his message. What do they want to do to him? Why would he
apologise?”

Kukah’s homily also drew censures from the federal government
and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by Sultan of Sokoto,
Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, which attacked the bishop for
allegedly denigrating Islam and Muslims.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed
displeasure over the call by the Muslim Solidarity Forum on the
Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, to
apologise for his alleged attack on Islam and Muslims or leave the
Caliphate.

The forum, which labelled itself as an umbrella body for Islamic
organisations, scholars and clerics, last Tuesday asked Kukah to
apologise or leave the state, insisting that his Christmas message
was capable of triggering religious violence in the country.

Reacting to the development, CAN described the call for Kukah to
apologize as ‘no issue’ adding that he is saying the truth.

The General Secretary of CAN, Barrister Joseph Daramola, who
spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday said: “there is no issue
there. Why are they personifying the matter. The man (Kukah) is
saying the truth and they trying to put religious politics into it.
This people are myopic in everything they are doing. Let them go
and read his message. What do they want to do to him? Why would he
apologise?”

Kukah’s homily also drew censures from the federal government
and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by Sultan of Sokoto,
Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, which attacked the bishop for
allegedly denigrating Islam and Muslims.