The Organization of Islamic Conference (IOC) has expressed its willingness to assist the Nigerian Government in fighting the Boko Haram insurgents, describing them as criminals.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed door talks with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja, OIC Secretary General, Iyad Ameen Madani, condemned the sect’s activities.
He said they were in Nigeria on a solidarity visit to President Jonathan and to explore possible areas where the OIC could be of assistance in fighting the terrorists.
Madani said, “We are here primarily to listen to His Excellency, his vision about the OIC, on the priorities of the OIC in the years to come. We’re also here to express our solidarity with Nigeria in facing up to this terrorist organisation and to condemn the terrorist acts they’ve been committing and to show our condolences to Nigerian people, especially the families of these who have been affected.
“The OIC has already issued statements, and we’re very clear that these people are out-laws. What they do is criminal acts that have nothing to do with Islam, Islamic teachings, the religion and history of Islam, the culture and civilisation of Islam; and we should identify them for what they’re, a terrorist group. So, we listened to His Excellency, the President”.
The OIC Scribe pledged the organisation’s resolve to join forces with the Nigerian Government to fight the insurgents.
Mandani, also said the organisation could organise an interfaith dialogue in Nigeria to explain why people of all faiths must live together, as well as help in alleviating all the social and economic conditions of areas where terrorists operate.
He spoke further, “We offered anything that the OIC could do in terms of expressing its support and willingness to be actively involved in facing up to this terrorist group. Such crises are always multi-dimensional and there are many possibilities where the OIC could be involved.
“First, in declaring its position morally, o declare its position from a religious point of view, the OIC is not a religious organisation.
“It is a political organisation made up of 57 member states with each state represented as a government. Nigeria is a member of the OIC. It (OIC) has to express its concern about the misuse of Islam. That’s morally and ethically.
“We can also be and we are willing to do that if our brothers here would like us to do that; to organise interfaith dialogue. We feel that there is a lot to be said about the veracity of these claims and to show the many aspects in similarity in living together between not only Christians and Muslims, but between all faiths and convictions.
“There are of course the economic and social aspects to this conflict and similar conflicts. The OIC, through its different organs, could be available on the request of Nigerian government and in any way it can, to help alleviate the social and economic conditions in any areas where these elements may be breeding.
“We keep saying that Africa is a model of such tolerance. Its history is the history of tolerance, of living together and that African tradition is something that needs to stay. This is where the principle of the OIC position is”, Madani said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali, also had this to say about the OIC leadership visit, “We’ve already made our request for support in all aspects and the OIC has been doing that in South Africa, Mali, Somalia and other places. As a member of the OIC, Nigeria will certainly look forward to support from the OIC for those that have been internally displaced”.
