Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Muslims in South West region of the country, for promoting peaceful coexistence of Nigerians from different religious backgrounds in the region.

He gave the commendation on Sunday in his speech at the grand finale of the 10th anniversary celebration of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) and N5billion launch of MUSWEN international Centre, which took place at International Conference Centre of University of Ibadan.

The President, who was Chief Guest of Honour at the event and represented, by Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, assured of the readiness of his administration to continue to promote religious tolerance in the country.

He lauded MUSWEN for giving "a voice to Muslims in Southwest Nigeria", noting that the region has continued to contribute immensely to the development of Islam in the country.

In his speech, Sultan of Sokoto and President - General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Mr Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, warned Muslims against violence, urging them to remain calm, even at the point of provocation.

He said whenever Muslims are denied their rights, they should not use foul and abusive languages, stating that this was hallmark of Prophet Muhammad as a messenger of peace.

He said, "Let's show decorum, let's show people that we are Muslims. We should not use foul languages. We can be aggrieved, but don't let us allow grievances to make us to be violent".

Similarly, in his keynote address, Mr Muhammadu Sanusi 11, Emir of Kano, insisted that Islam is a religion of peace, adding that national security should not be threatened or undermined all in the name of Jihad.

On his part, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state, host governor, urged Southwest Muslims to continue to embrace peace as 2019 general elections are fast approaching.

Mr Ajimobi, who noted that it is only in the atmosphere of peace that meaningful development could be witnessed, commended MUSWEN leadership for promoting religious harmony in the region.

A former President of the organization and chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr. Abdul-Jabar Bola Ajibola, who stressed the need for unity among Muslims in South West with credible leadership, noted that in the last 10 years, MUSWEN had made conscious efforts to have robust engagement with its internal and external stakeholders.

He said MUSWEN had taken genuine steps that have set the Ummah in the region on the path of development and progress, adding that the body had recorded some modest achievements especially in the areas of education, scholarship scheme for female medical students, empowerment scheme through zakat, free medical and professional development opportunities among others.
Guided by the time-honoured principles of Islam, he said MUSWEN would continue to work for a united Ummah, united Nigeria and united humanity.