Suspended Imam Sheikh Nuru Khali has determined at all cost to continue speaking his mind against bad governance of Nigeria, not minding the leading consequences.
Prior to his suspension, he was the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque in Abuja.
The Islamic cleric was suspended by the mosque’s committee for spreading what it called anti-government campaign in his sermons.
But Sheikh Khalid said he was undeterred by the suspension, and would rather continue to speak against government’s failings.
The Chief Imam noted that instead of the suspension dampening his spirit, it has elevated his personality and made him more popular.
“Instead of destroying me, the suspension has increased my followers, my sympathisers. Those who believe in Nigeria are praying for me. The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) released a statement today (Sunday) that the most trending name in Nigeria on Twitter and Facebook is Sheikh Nuru Khalid. So, you can see that I have to celebrate,” he said.
The Chief Imam spoke with our correspondent few hours after reports said he had been suspended from his position.
The mosque committee of Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja had suspended Sheikh Khalid over a sermon he delivered during the Jum’at service on April 1.
Khalid, who is also the Founder of Islamic Research and Da’awah Foundation, in the sermon, criticised the government for its failure to stop insecurity across the country.
He specifically told the electorate not to vote for any politician who cannot guarantee them the safety of life and property.
In a statement sent to BBC Hausa Service, the chairman of the mosque committee, Senator Saidu Muhammed Dansadau, said the imam was suspended over his sermon.
The statement accused Sheikh Khalid of “inciting public outrage”, saying his sermons negated the tenets of Islam.
The statement reads: “I am informing you that you have been suspended from leading prayers in the Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque from today, being April 2, 2022, until further notice.
“The decision was taken out of the inciting Friday sermon you delivered on April 1, 2022, where you advised people not to vote in 2023 general election unless politicians respond to some critical questions.
“You should have advised them to vote out those that transgress the Almighty and breach people’s social contract as well as the state.”
Sheikh Khalid told our correspondent that there were signs of reconciliation between him and the mosque committee with some conditions, which he did not disclose.
He added that the committee had no choice but to reconcile.
