The Katsina State Government has stepped in to address rising religious tension in the state, summoning popular Islamic cleric Malam Yahaya Masussuka to appear before a special committee of Ulamas. The directive follows a wave of public complaints alleging that his teachings are steering away from established Islamic principles.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, acting through the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari, has mandated the cleric to defend himself against these accusations. The government noted that the situation has generated significant concern among the public, necessitating a formal review of his sermons.
However, the issue appears to be a two-way street. The government acknowledged that it also received a counter-complaint from Malam Masussuka himself.
He alleges that members of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a group have subjected him to insults and have even issued threats of physical attacks against him.
The state previously forwarded these concerns to the Katsina Emirate Council. The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, had convened a meeting with Masussuka and other scholars to broker peace, yet reports indicate the friction has persisted.
The government statement recounted the previous efforts made by the traditional institution to resolve the matter amicably.
The emir subsequently convened a meeting with Malam Masussuka and other scholars, during which he cautioned all parties against delivering sermons that could offend or provoke other Muslims – the statement read
With the situation unresolved, the government is now taking a firmer stance on regulating religious discourse in the state.
The committee is expected to set standards and guidelines for preaching in the state, and anyone found contravening them will face government action – the SSG stated
The Katsina State Government has urged all residents to remain calm and patient, assuring the public that the matter is being handled with due diligence, as the panel of Ulamas prepares to hear the case.
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