Wednesday 11 January, 2012

 

(Lagos, 11 January, 2012) The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) totally condemns the terrorist attack on a Mosque in Benin City, Edo State on Tuesday 10th January, 2012, which claimed the lives of five innocent worshippers and injured many more. We utterly deplore the sentiments behind this crime as well as the crime itself and seek practical reassurance from the law enforcement agency and political leaders in Edo State that this sort of crime will not be tolerated.

Resentment towards Muslims in Nigeria has once again reared its ugly head after the Christmas Day bombings which affected us all. Notwithstanding the provocations, the MPAC reaffirms that the rule of law is the surest guarantee to defeat the ills of extremism and bigotry. We trust that community and political leaders would rise to the occasion and prevent further attacks on houses of worship.

 

We are urging the Police to investigate this matter thoroughly and find the perpetrators so that such appalling incidents and Islamophobic crimes do not recur. This is vital to prevent community relations deteriorating further.

Our heartfelt prayers and sympathy are with the victims and we pray that Allah accept them into His care as martyrs. May Allah grant their families and the whole Muslim community the patience to bear the loss, ameen.

“Do not think of those who have been killed in Allah’s way as dead. They are alive with their Lord, well provided for, happy with what Allah has given them of His favour; rejoicing that for those they have left behind who have yet to join them there is no fear, nor will they grieve; [rejoicing] in Allah’s blessing and favour, and that Allah will not let the reward of the believers be lost. ” (Qur’an 3:169-171)

 

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