Ramadan: JNI cautions scholars against misinformation, spreading divisive ideologies 

Ramadan: JNI cautions scholars against misinformation, spreading divisive ideologies 

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has cautioned Islamic scholars against using the social media to misinform their followers or spread divisive ideologies.

The Secretary-General of JNI, Professor Khalid Aliyu said during the Annual Pre-Ramadan Meeting held in Kaduna that the organisation has articulated guideline for scholars who will preach during the Holy month.

The theme of the meeting was ‘Social Media and Islamic Scholarship: Causes of Conflict among Muslim Scholars’.

He observed that the social media has made it easier for the scholars to share their teachings and connect with a wider audience.

The JNI scribe however said “this has also led to the spread of misinformation and the promotion of divisive ideologies”.

Aliyu therefore said that the preaching guideline rolled out by the JNI emphasised the need for the scholars to adhere to proper scholarly ethics and avoid sectarian propaganda.

He also called on the scholars to prioritise wisdom and humility in their teachings.

“This includes avoiding public disputes and instead focusing on promoting a positive and uplifting message.”

In his speech, the President-General of JNI, who is also the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said Muslims must unite under one umbrella despite sectarian differences, “how we see things and how we understand things”.

He said that the task on all Muslims is to  “speak and work for Islam”.

“This is imperative in this part of world. We must not allow our differences and level of understanding of Islam to divide us to the point that we insult one another.”

The Sultan reminded scholars of the infinite nature of knowledge, as such nobody has monopoly of it.

He emphasised that whatever knowledge any scholar has, “somebody knows better than you”.

Abubakar explained that the Ramadan preaching guidelines and ethics were meant to promote “positive and uplifting Ramadan experience for all”.

The meeting was attended by several first-class Emirs, Islamic scholars, and academics from across the country.