The mosque committee of Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, has reportedly sacked its Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, for criticising the Muhammadu Buhari government.
Recall that the cleric, who was earlier suspended, had delivered a sermon last Friday where he lampooned the federal government over ongoing security challenges in the country.
During the sermon, Sheikh Khalid preached some measures that the electorate should consider if the government fail to protect their lives.
Hours after his preaching, the mosque committee suspended the cleric for allegedly violating the tenets of Islam and inciting public outrage.
Reacting to his suspension, the embattled cleric vowed not to be intimidated or bullied by anybody, adding that he would accept whatever God decides for him and Nigerians.
In a statement on Monday, the chairman of the mosque committee, Senator Saidu Muhammed Dansadau, said the committee has sacked the cleric over his controversial sermon last week.
The committee stated that it relieved Sheik Khalid of his job for not showing remorse and insisting that he was right to have criticised the federal government.
The statement reads: “We regret to inform you that from today the 4th day of April 2023 you have been disengaged from the services of the above-mentioned mosque. This action is occasioned by the non-remorseful attitude you exhibited following your suspension on 2nd April this year.”
“Akamakallah, you know better than me by the teaching of Islam, the essence of administering punishment is to correct behaviour. Unfortunately, your media reaction to the suspension creates the impression that you are not remorseful, NOT to talk of humbly reflecting on the consequences of your utterances. Leadership demands a great sense of responsibility. If our words do more harm than good to the larger interest of the country or the public. We have a responsibility to maximum restraint for the good of the public. It is obvious, however, that you don’t seem keen to modify your Friday sermon to be reflective of the totality of the security situation in the country.
“You are an influencer; your words carry a lot of weight, and your words can make or mar our situation. Your words can be taken advantage of by mischief makers, those responsible for these security challenges or enemies of the country for their devilish agendas. As leaders of the mosque, we have a sacred responsibility to avoid utterances that are capable of making a bad situation worse. This is our fear and concern.”
