Experts ask FG to check rise of extremism

Don Pathan, an international expert on Islamic extremism, has warned the Nigerian authorities not to waste time in taking action regarding the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

Pathan spoke during an international seminar organised by the Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) in Abuja on Friday.

He said the group’s activities pose a threat to the sovereignty and the authorities’ continuous indifference towards the sect is akin to sitting with a keg of gun powder.

Oliver Agundu a senior lecturer at the Benue State University, who also spoke at the event, said religious fundamentalism in Nigeria, especially the activities of IMN, have assumed a destructive dimension threatening peace and stability.

Agundu said the consequence of fundamentalist dynamism has created skepticism and insecurity among Nigerians.

“The IMN as fundamentalists do not believe in individualism, liberty of personal choice or plurality of thought,” he said.

“They do not encourage or enter free debate, they deny others the right to express their own views freely and they cannot tolerate anything which they perceive is going against their faith.”

In his presentation, Mahfouz Adedimeji, whose paper centered his topic on “Religions as a catalyst for peace building, National Integration and conflict Management in Nigeria” identified the population grouping of the global religious sects.

He said conflicts have been given different names based on the various views of liberal, radical and neo-liberal perspectives.

Dr. Adedimeji identified models of conflict management to include; conflict avoidance, compromise, collaboration and accommodation.

Religion is key to every individual as human beings noting that there are three remarkable phases in existence which include Birth Marriage and Death.

Dr Adedimeji observed that religion has given rise to violence in the country and the world at large with adherents using power, illiteracy and intolerance.

Contributing at the conference via Skype from Rome, veteran broadcaster and conflict journalist John Fiegener, identified the dynamics of religion in all its ramifications as the Middle East serve as the headquarters of the world’s major religions.
Using Iraq as a case study, Fiegener identified foreign interests working for their interests who eventually end up destabilising the country.