In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Press Release
: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, 28 April 2012

 

MPAC Sympathizes with ThisDay, The Sun and The Moment Newspapers
 
(Lagos, 28 April, 2012) The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) sympathizes with the management and staff of ThisDay, The Sun and The Moment newspapers on the violent attacks targeted at the newspapers’ offices in Abuja and Kaduna. These attacks symbolize the lethal and present danger that all Nigerians face at the hands of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and the fact that such dangers are indeed widening.

The MPAC stands fully in support of press freedom and the ability of the media to discharge its functions and responsibilities in a free manner. We therefore express our solidarity with the affected media houses during this period and we affirm that every attack by the terrorist organization is a human tragedy which affects us all.

The ongoing attacks by Boko Haram, and the threat of more to come issued by the sect, mean that we all must not relax our vigilance against those who do not blink an eye when killing indiscriminately or while undermining national security. These types of attacks indicate once again that all those who engage in the false debate about a mythical Islam calling on its adherents to kill are wrong, as the evil agenda of the Boko Haram has evidently not excluded any faith group. It is getting clearer each day that the dangers that the terrorist organization represents have devastating effects on us all- equally, irrespective of our beliefs- and that they observe no ‘no-go areas‘.

Now more than ever, the media has a duty to turn the tide of public opinion against our common enemy- those terrorists killing Nigerian citizens, and spreading fears. It is time to work together and expose the violent ideology they preach as something totally alien to the faith they are disfiguring. This terrorist organization has engaged in unspeakable brutality, in horrendous and obscene waste of humanity all in the name of forcing the nation under its evil and vile ideology.  But if Nigerians recommit to individual and collective life of discipline, generosity, unity, self-restraint, kindness, forgiveness and patience, we can, over time, change the reality of our nation and overcome the terrorists, insh’ Allah.

Increasing number of Nigerians are starting to realize that although we may be of different tribes and religions but surely, we have the same (God-given) right to life and any individual or group that threatens the life of one represents an existential threat to the lives of all. All Nigerians must therefore stand up for truth and justice at these troubled times, and in our present predicament, we must think carefully of the choices available to us. Today when we are threatened by the ills of extremism, all Nigerians must reflect on how to work together to confront and defeat the terrorists blowing innocent lives into pieces and destroying the lives of their victims’ families. The Qur’an reminds us that as human beings we have been endowed with the power of thought and the knowledge of good and evil. Therefore those who kill indiscriminately or target properties for destruction may think of themselves as doing good deeds, but by the eloquent testimony of the Qur’an they know they are committing evil acts, sinful crimes, for which they shall be judged and severely punished by Allah (SWT).


The matching response of all Nigerians to attacks like these must be to work closer together, join forces in amplifying a total condemnation of terrorism and together walk on the path to peace, unity and understanding. We simply cannot afford to fail.

We pray that God Almighty strengthens the families and friends of those killed to deal with the loss of their loved ones, and we pray for peace and security in our country, amin.

 

 

Contact:

Disu Kamor
 
Director of Media and Communications
Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC
Nigeria.
 
e-mails: communications@mpac-ng.org , kamor.disu@mpac-ng.org
Website: www.mpac-ng.org

 

 

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