Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has
again attacked the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the North over the
recent kidnap of nine children from Kano State.
Recall that MURIC had described
the abduction of nine Muslim children in Kano and their alleged conversion to
Christianity as kidnapping for Christ.
In its reaction, Northern CAN
described MURIC’s statement as ‘reckless, irresponsible, derogatory and
provocative utterances.’
However, in a statement on Monday, MURIC maintained its earlier position on the matter, insisting
that CAN should put its house in order.
MURIC’s statement was signed by
its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
It added, “There is incontrovertible
evidence that Muslim children have been kidnapped, converted to Christianity
and sold into slavery. It is not the Kano 9 alone.
“There are others. There is also
indubitable evidence to prove that it did not start yesterday. What is Northern
CAN trying to tell us? They are chasing shadows.
“In our statement last Monday, we
separated good Christians from bad ones. We also made it clear that we have
both the good and the bad among Muslims too. Here are our exact words: ‘We are
aware that not all Christians are involved in this criminal behavior.
“Many adherents of Christianity
are decent and peace-loving. Such Christians will never descend so low as to
seize, convert and sell Muslim children.
“Instead of joining hands with us
to condemn the bad ones among us, Northern CAN is seeking to silence us. That
is a tall dream. We advise Northern CAN to put its house in order and stop
blaming MURIC.
“Afterall, we did not mention
anything about kidnapping for Christ until the issue of Kano 9 occurred and the
revelation has exposed other similar cases.
“We advise Northern CAN to launch
a campaign of love and harmony in the churches. There is an urgent need to
deradicalise Christian elements particularly in the Middle Belt region where
Muslims are being killed and dumped inside mysterious ponds and narrow wells.
“The same advocacy should be
taken to South Eastern Nigeria from where syndicates sponsor sleeper cells to
Northern Nigeria to abduct, convert and sell Muslim children into slavery.
“Enough of denials and
sentimentalities. Northern CAN should stop defending the indefensible. Its
current body language is not remorseful. Your fellow Christians kidnapped
Muslim children and converted them to Christianity.
“The Muslims complain but instead
of consoling them and checking your members you are firing at the victims from
all cylinders. We know you very well. This has always been your style. You
never own up.
“We warn that Northern CAN should
not drag Nigerian Christians into a controversy that involves only those who
are in the dirty business of kidnapping Muslim children for conversion to
Christianity.
“We hold Jesus (peace be upon
him) in very high esteem and our statement was not intended to malign him. No
true Muslim will do that.
“Extremist Christians can kidnap
Muslims for Christ. That does not mean that Christ is involved. In fact Christ
did not send them. They are only being more Christian than Christ himself.
“Jesus never taught men to be
wicked. He taught love, kindness and righteousness. It is highly mischievous of
Northern CAN to attempt to whip up sentiments over mere semantics.
“We find it difficult to believe
CAN’s words, ‘No Christian has associated Muslims with such criminal acts. We
only cry for our own who are victims’. Really?
“This is a false claim and
Nigerians know better. What of all the allegations against us in the early days
of Boko Haram attacks on churches?
“On a last note, we invite
Northern CAN to put its house in order and join hands with the authorities in fishing
out remaining sleeper cells for the kidnapping and conversion of Muslim
children to Christianity.
“We can all coexist peacefully
but we must first eschew parochialism and address issues objectively. We can
change this atmosphere of mutual suspicion if only we can be sincere with
ourselves.”
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Nonsense, Christianity is not by force, it is free will.
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