Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has urged Nigerians to judge religions by their teachings and scriptures rather than the actions of their followers.
Gumi made the call in a brief social media post on Saturday, October 31.
“Judge a religion by its teachings and scriptures, not by the actions of its followers,” he wrote.
His comment comes amid public debate over a viral video involving a member of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) movement, who was accused of threatening Christians in Enugu and Jos.
The individual, identified as Umar Ibrahim Gandi, a 22-year-old first-aid volunteer associated with the movement, reportedly made the threats in a video that circulated on social media.
The video attracted condemnation from JIBWIS National Chairman, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, who described the alleged conduct as contrary to the group’s teachings and called on security agencies to investigate the matter.
Gumi subsequently defended the movement, arguing that the alleged actions of an individual should not be used to judge the organisation.
The Islamic scholar has previously attracted public attention for his positions on religious and security matters, particularly his advocacy for dialogue with armed bandits in northwestern Nigeria.
In 2021, he visited several bandit camps and called on the Federal Government to negotiate with armed groups, arguing that dialogue could help end insecurity in the region.
