FASON Declares Islam Has No Link to Terrorism or Criminality Amid Rising Insecurity Concerns

( FASON. Photo by Independent News Nigeria)

The Federation of Ahlus-Sunnah Organisations in Nigeria, FASON, has declared that Islam bears no connection to terrorism, b@ndity, kidn@pping, or any other form of criminal activity.

The Islamic group stated that anyone who truly believes in the teachings and principles of Islam would not engage in criminal acts against individuals, groups, or communities.

FASON National Amir, Sheikh Tajudeen Abdul-Kareem, made the declaration while addressing a press conference in Ibadan on Tuesday evening, flanked by Deputy National Amir Salisu Abdullahi, Amir of Universal Muslim Brotherhood Abdulateef Olaniyan, and Chairman of the Sharia Panel in Oyo State, Sheikh Abdullahi Adedeji.

Abdul-Kareem said the press conference was convened in response to the recent abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in Oyo State, as well as negative remarks made by some individuals and groups against Islam and Muslims across the country.

He maintained that all criminal acts perpetrated by b@ndits, terrorists, or any other groups whether in Nigeria or elsewhere have no basis in Islam, citing Qur'an 5:23 on the prescribed punishment for terrorism, b@ndity, and related vices.

He further stated that those linking Islam to terrorism and criminality were enemies of the religion and its adherents.

Abdul-Kareem urged the Federal Government, state governors, and security agencies to urgently address the growing insecurity across the country, and called on governments at all levels to enact laws and policies that would improve the living conditions of citizens.

He disclosed that members of the group had been praying for the release of the 39 students and seven teachers kidn@pped in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last month, and vowed to continue until the victims were freed.

"This press conference centres on the current issues in the country, especially the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State. It also centres on our resolve to pray for the successful release of the people who are in captivity.

It is over a week now that we have been praying for the successful release of the victims; we will continue to pray till they are released," he said.

He urged b@ndits to abandon their criminal ways, warning that such acts carry no reward in this life or the hereafter, and cautioned against attempts to exploit the b@ndity crisis to stoke tension in Oyo State or to tar Islam and Muslims with the brush of violence.

"All those who are causing trouble should know that it is not good. Whoever kills people unjustly should be killed that is the judgment under Islamic injunction," he stated, adding that a true Muslim would not k!ll a fellow human being, just as a good Christian would not do so unjustly.

He also warned politicians against mixing religion with politics, describing the two as entirely separate domains.