The CTF Imams Initiative Committee (CFII) advocated the inclusion of religious leaders in the country’s security architecture to tackle this challenge in the country.

The initiative’s chairman, Dr Tajuddeen Adigun, made the request during the 17th Extraordinary Dawrah (Conference) of CTF Imams on Saturday in Abuja.

The theme of the conference is: “The Unity of Imams as a Force of the Ummah and the Secure Nation”.

Adigun said imams are among those who could make the nation peaceful because they have supporters who listen to them more than politicians.

“The reality is that people believe and listen to their imams much more than politicians. This is not to underestimate the position of politicians because Allah has given them the power that we must respect.

“However, politicians should not underestimate the influence of imams. If the government decides to pay religious leaders a salary in order to keep the peace, it is not too much. When I say religious leaders, I mean generally include non-Muslim religious leaders because all religions influence their followers.

“At FCT, I can tell you that we have so many examples of calamities that when 75% of imams deliver uniform sermons on Fridays, it will calm the situation,” Adigun said.

The cleric insisted that imams have a central role to play in reducing the ongoing security problems facing the country. He said that even if the government does not recognize the role of imams in tackling insecurity, imams should recognize it and play their role responsibly.

Previously, CTF Minister Malam Muhammad Bello praised the contributions of CTF imams not only to tackle insecurity, but also to ensure the implementation and success of the policies of the CTF administration.

Represented by Malam Bashir Mohammed, Director of Human Resources Management of the FCTA, Bello said that the FCT administration particularly appreciates the efforts of the League of FCT Imams in the fight against COVID-19.

In addition, the Chief Imam of Al-Furqan Mosque,Kano, Dr Bashir Umar, described imams as the guardians of the nation’s conscience and emblems of the country’s security as well as development.

The conference was attended by Imams from the 19 northern states.

(NAN)