Na’Allah Muhammad Zagga
Sheikh Ibrahim khalil has been reportedly removed as the leader of the Kano State Council of Ulama. One of the allegations against him is that he was constantly criticising the Ganduje administration. Using religion to promote your own political interests is a betrayal of public trust. And you can’t betray public trust and then expect to inspire respect.
The politicisation religious groups is dangerous because it’s capable of eroding their credibility. If you remove religious leaders who follow their consciences and speak truth to power, what do you do to religious leaders that nauseatingly suck up to politicians?
If religious groups allow politicians to hijack their activities, they will ultimately destroy what remains of their credibility. Sacrificing honour on the altar of opportunism is the fastest route to destroy the public image of religious leaders.
Religious leaders are supposed to be the conscience of the society. But they can’t play that role if they’re morally timid to speak honestly on public issues or interest. Today we have religious leaders blaming the victims of poor governance for their misery. One Imam in Kano said last week that criticising leaders is responsible for our current hardships. He didn’t however tell us the virtues or rewards of sycophancy or the refusal to speak honestly.
Zagga is a public affairs commentator
