25th May, 2018

The Muslim Congress (TMC)


Press Release

We condemn CAN's advice to FG and other countries to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem

 
The Muslim Congress condemns in the strongest terms the advice of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to the Federal Government of Nigeria to relocate Nigeria's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as done by the United States of America - a move that has attracted global condemnation from countries with conscience and integrity.


The ill-informed advice is akin to asking the Federal Government to relocate its capital from Abuja to the disputed Bakassi region between Nigeria and Cameroon. 

 
It is obvious that CAN, as presently constituted, does not like Muslims and the development of Islam locally and internationally. This unfortunate comment is shameful and inimical to global and local cooperation and solidarity.


Instead of this misguided religious organisation to address the lingering allegation of the N40 million “transport money” collected by its leaders from President Buhari during their visit to him,  the group diverted attention by issuing an unsolicited advice to the Federal Government.  

 
We have said severally in our timely press releases that the present CAN is a political association with selfish interests. It does not represent the best interests of peace loving Christians in Nigeria. 

 
Ignorantly and shamelessly, the group asserted that the declaration made by President Donald Trump on December 6, 2017 was a fulfilment of a Biblical prophecy. On what basis did CAN make this assertion? Is Trump a Crusader or another King David? 

 
Worse still, CAN stated that “It is our prayers that other countries including Nigeria will relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem”, thereby taking a position different from the position of Nigeria. Is this patriotism? 

 
While many freedom-loving people and countries are angry and upset that Palestinians are being killed on their land and denied human dignity, the leadership of CAN was unfortunately affirming that “We are happy that countries such as the United States of America, Guatemala, Honduras, Romania and Paraguay have relocated their embassies from Tel Aviv.’’  Who elected these hate mongers and uninformed theologians who lack empathy, solidarity and conscience to run the affairs of Christians in Nigeria? Can't they emulate their counterparts in South Africa, the Vatican, Britain and other upright nations?


Finally, TMC counsels the Federal Government to maintain its rational and thoughtful posture on the Israeli - Palestinian conflict. President Buhari and the foreign policy leaders of government should disregard the misguided barking of CAN. The issues of concern are the Christian and Muslim Palestinians who are being killed by Zionist Israel. Must these inhuman atrocities be allowed to continue because America is involved? We should remember that Rome, Greece and many other civilisations in the world collapsed on the crucibles of injustice and impunity.

 

Long live Palestine!  Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

 Signed
Imam Luqman AbdurRaheem, PhD, MNIM, FIFP
Amir, TMC