Community based NGO, Allamin Foundation, has commenced training for Islamic vlerics/psychologists involved in the deradicalisation of repentant insurgents to enhance their skills.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the training, supported by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, drew clerics from Maiduguri Metropolitan, Jere, Konduga and Mafa Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the flag-off of the training yesterday in Maiduguri, the Director of the foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, said after the training, the clerics/psychologists were expected to do more as champions of peace.
Allamin said the training would focus on the use of the Holy Quran, Hadith and Islamic history to present superior arguments to the insurgents on how they misinterpret the Qur’an and teachings of Islam “which never supported violence and shedding of blood.”
Allamin noted that the foundation had so far deradicalised 120 Boko Haram women that continued to play a vital role in convincing others to also repent from the ideology.
“Borno State government under Governor Babagana Zulum has done its best by facilitating mass surrender, while the military also demobilised them with the society accepting them.
“It is now a task for Islamic scholars to engage them one-on-one to address their misconceptions about Islam and provide solutions to other challenges arising after many years of insurgency,” Allamin said.
Facilitator of the training, Shiekh Ali Mustapha, who spoke on “Islam as a Religion of Peace”, showed how Islam kicked against forceful conversation of anyone.
He pointed out that the concept of jihad has to do with self defence, while accepting Islam has to be a “personal conviction and believe in the Qur’an which specifically says: ‘There is no comulsion in religion’.”
He cited Islamic history that showed how the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was able to attract people to Islam based on his kindness and tolerance, adding that no war took place when the people of the historic Borno Empire embraced Islam.
A cross-section of male and female clerics undergoing the training described it as critical and apt, assuring that it would go a long way in enhancing their engagement with their targeted clients.
Babagana Shettima and Falmata Abdulkadir said the training was highly educative, innovative and persuasive. (NAN)
