Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has described terrorism as a foreign creation allegedly designed to tarnish the image of Muslims, arguing that Muslims themselves are among the major victims of terrorist attacks.
Gumi made the assertion on Monday in a post shared on his Facebook page.
According to the cleric, “Terrorism is a foreign creation to stain Muslims who are largely the victims of.”
The Kaduna-based Islamic scholar has, in previous commentaries, criticised what he considers an unfair global narrative that associates terrorism and extremism primarily with Muslims.
He has also pointed to the impact of insurgency and banditry on Muslim-majority communities, particularly across Nigeria’s North-East and North-West geopolitical zones.
Gumi’s latest comments come amid ongoing military operations against terrorists and bandits in parts of the country under Operations Hadin Kai and Fansan Yamma.
The cleric has previously advocated dialogue, deradicalisation and improved socio-economic conditions as part of broader measures to address insecurity and violent extremism in northern Nigeria.
His latest remarks are likely to renew debate over the causes of terrorism, the portrayal of Muslims in discussions on extremism, and the most effective approaches to tackling insecurity in the country.
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