Nigeria: Imam Wants Religious Laws in Constitution

Abuja, Nigeria - The Chairman of the Senate Committee of FCT Imams, Sheikh Tajuddeen Adigun, has suggested that the laws governing Islam and Christianity be incorporated into the country's constitution.

Adigun made the suggestion yesterday in Abuja at a one-day seminar on "Nigerian Constitutional Review: Imams' Perspective".

The Seminar was organised by the Committee of FCT Imams.

He said the inclusion of such laws would help reduce friction between adherents of the two religions as well as religious crises in the country.

Adigun also advised the religious leaders to teach their followers to learn to tolerate other Nigerians, adding that Nigerians should respect one another and see themselves as brothers and sisters.

"In addition, Moslems and Christians must be allowed to practise their religion as contained in their holy books," he said.

The chairman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the only way Nigeria could develop and earn the respect of members of the international community, was for every one to join hands to develop the country.

"God has blessed Nigeria with abundant human and materials resources and all we need as a people is for each and everyone of us to contribute to move the country forward.

"Nigeria will not develop if we keep emphasising those things that divide us; we should emphasis those things that unite us and not dwell on our differences," he said.

Adigun blamed the country's problem on corruption and said that those engaged in it "do not belong to one particular religion or tribe".

"Similarly, those who are rich or poor do not belong to one particular religion or tribe, so our problem has nothing to do with religion or tribe."

"We will make progress as a nation, if we work together as other multi-religious and ethnic societies have done to move their countries forward," he added.

Adigun called on the Federal Government to strengthen EFCC and ICPC to enable them win the war against corruption and said that nobody should be treated as a sacred cow.

He also said that the only way to tackle the vices in the society was for parents and leaders to live by example. (NAN)