Buhari meets Islamic group, says education is solution to terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with the Qadiriyyah Islamic Movement of Africa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, he urged religious leaders in the country to assist government to overcome forces of destruction.

He implored them to do so by enlightening their followers to guard against religious extremism and terrorism.

Buhari told the Muslim leaders that they have a duty to promote the principles and tenets of Islam as a religion of peace and justice.

He said those who indoctrinate children and plant explosives on them to harm innocent people do not belong to any religion but “terrorists who should be identified and fought until they give up their evil ways.”

The president, who commended the movement for promoting education, interfaith dialogue and good moral conduct in the society, expressed support for its proposed Islamic Centre in Abuja.

Leader of the Qadiriyya in Africa, Sheikh Qaribullah Kabara, congratulated the President on his emergence as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 election.

Kabara lauded the achievements of his administration since coming into office, citing the diversification of the economy, increased power supply and food sufficiency.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor of Kano State, Abdulahi Ganduje, who was part of the meeting, said that the group prayed for the president’s success in the upcoming election.

Ganduje said the group congratulated Mr. President for picking the ticket to run for second term and thanked him for the strides in the economy.

He expressed satisfaction with the economy, which has improved tremendously, as well as efforts in the area of electricity and agriculture.