 |
| El Rufai |
The Kaduna State Government said on Wednesday that it had not placed any ban on Shi’a Muslims in the state.
Mr Samuel Aruwan, the government spokesman said at a news briefing in
Kaduna, that what the government did, was to declare the operation of
the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) illegal, as the group was not
registered.
“Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) was never a registered
organisation and it refuses to conduct itself with full adherence to the
laws of Kaduna state.”
He added that the group had consistently blocked roads and inconvenienced road users.
“It occupy without permission, facilities that did not belong to it,
and it has ignored the law and neglected the obligations of civility,”
he added.
Aruwan said that the IMN should follow due process and get the
required government certificate for it to operate as an organisation.
He noted that other groups that practice Shia Islam were not included in the ban.
The government spokesman also dismissed insinuations that the state
was trying to muzzle religious freedom, stressing that the restriction
on the IMN has nothing to do with the right to worship.
“The government has a duty to uphold fundamental right and security of everyone.
“This involves ensuring that nobody exercises their rights in ways
that restrict the right of others or subject them to danger, distress or
violation of their humanity,” he said.
According to him, all residents are free to practice whatever religion they profess, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
He said that government would only interfere if, in the exercise of
such right, the person infringes on the rights of others and by putting
danger to public order and safety.
“It is the fundamental obligation of the government to preserve the security and uphold the right of all citizens.”
Post a Comment