By Idowu Oyelere
The Chief Missioner of Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih, also known as NASFAT, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to take a step beyond commiserating with the Kaduna bomb victims to providing palliatives that would aid their livelihood.
During a special prayer by the organisation, tagged, “Remember me and I will remember you,” on Sunday, Onike explained that Islam provides what is called Diyah and its purpose is to serve as palliative to the dependants of the victim.
The PUNCH reported that the Kaduna accidental bombing by the military killed over 100 innocent villagers.
He said, “It is quite unfortunate that people have become widows in the village, children have turned to orphans; are we going to close our eyes because we said such will not happen again? That’s not justice. Allah has commanded us to be just and for the government to be just they should identify the family of all the victims and compensate them monetarily.”
Speaking on the impact of the incident, the chief missioner said, “Some children will be taken out of school because their breadwinners are gone; the women whose husbands were killed will now turn to beggars, the government should give these children scholarships from primary school to higher institution level.”
Speaking on the essence of the prayer problem, NASFAT’s President, Mr Niyi Yusuf, said, “Muslims believe in the power of prayers and we know that there is nothing Allah cannot do. Today’s gathering is to pray that Almighty Allah should guide our leaders to do the right things for us and grant us ease after this difficult period that the country is going through.”
Yusuf maintained that Allah would not change the condition of people unless they make the changes first within themselves.
“Our request from our leaders is for them to serve with integrity, and to be selfless and have the fear of Allah,” he said.
The National Women Affairs Secretary for the organisation, Kupolati Bola, urged Nigerians to maintain peace and exercise patience with Allah and the government.
Kupolati said, “Allah will continue to give us trials, those that pass it, they will be elevated in this world and thereafter. Let us all be the ambassadors of Islam,” she said.
Source: The Punch
