Sheikh Gumi: Don’t judge religion by actions of its followers

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged the public to assess religions by their doctrinal teachings and scriptures rather than the conduct of adherents.

Gumi made the call in a terse Facebook post on Saturday.

“Judge a religion by its teachings and scriptures, not by the actions of its followers,” he said.

This comes amid fresh debate around a viral video involving a member of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS).

In the video which circulated earlier in the week, Umar Ibrahim Gandi, a 22-year-old first-aid volunteer of the Izala movement was accused of making threats against Christians in Enugu and Jos.

The clip drew condemnation from JIBWIS National Chairman, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, who said it was contrary to the group’s teachings and called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute those involved.

In a reaction on Wednesday, Gumi defended the 47-year history of JIBWIS as a peaceful movement.

He argued that the group has contributed to religious stability and that no act of institutional violence has been directly attributed to it as an organisation.

He recalled that the movement has itself been a target of violence, including the killing of Malam Aliyu Barnawa inside a mosque in its early years.

On the suspect, Gumi maintained that individual misconduct should not be conflated with the institution.

He said, “If a 22-year-old first-aid volunteer is implicated in an act of wrongdoing, the appropriate course is to investigate the matter thoroughly.

“Where evidence establishes criminal responsibility, bring the individual before a competent court of law. Justice must be guided by evidence, not sentiment.”

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