Deborah Samuel: 13 Muslim Groups Demand Justice Against Killers
13 Muslim organisations, united under the banner of Muslims United for Peace and Justice, have demanded justice for Deborah Samuel, a student at Sokoto’s Shehu Shagari College of Education, who was gruesomely murdered for supposed blasphemy.
The organizations urged state and federal governments to enact and faithfully implement laws criminalizing blasphemy and murdering for blasphemy outside the law.
Professor Lakin Akintola, Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), spoke at a news conference in Lagos alongside other Muslim leaders, appealing for justice against the killers, regardless of their purpose or explanation.
According to him, the terrible occurrence may serve as a watershed moment in Muslim-Christian relations, ushering in a new era of peaceful coexistence, adding that these objectives were attainable if each religion follower embraced and honestly practiced their faith’s magnificent messages.
He urged Christians to use all means at their disposal to combat intolerance and urged Christian leaders to reflect deeply.
He explained, “We express strong solidarity with voices of reason and moderation amongst scholars of Islam and declare readiness to continue working together to strengthen the pillars of national peace, reconciliation and understanding.”
He enjoined leaders of various religious faiths to continue to enlighten and educate adherents on the need for mutual respect, to focus on messages of love and work against voices of hatred and extremism, amongst them.
