Lekki Central Mosque’s Chief Imam, Ridwanullah Jamiu, has responded to the issue over a banner that read, “Jesus Christ is Not God.” Many people saw the statement as an attack on Christianity, which caused a lot of social media reactions. Jamiu noted, however, that the banner only represents Islamic views on Jesus, who is referred to in the Quran as Isah.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
According to Guardian, Jamiu explained that belief in Jesus is a fundamental aspect of Islam. However, Islamic teachings, as derived from the Quran, regard Jesus as a messenger of God rather than a divine figure. The banner, according to the Imam, was intended to educate the mosque’s congregation about this perspective, aligning with core Islamic doctrines.
He emphasized that the banner was displayed within the premises of the mosque, underscoring the principle of religious freedom. For the Muslim community, sharing their faith and understanding of religious figures like Jesus within their own territory is a legitimate exercise of their rights to religious expression.
Jamiu also pointed out that the message on the banner is a direct quote from the Quran, and therefore, an integral part of Islamic teachings. He asserted that quoting religious texts to educate worshippers is a fundamental practice in Islam, aimed at fostering understanding and adherence to the faith.
The Imam further questioned whether expressing beliefs in a manner confined to their religious community could genuinely be deemed offensive. He argued that the display did not target any group but rather reflected the community’s right to freedom of speech and religion as protected by law. He affirmed that the message was not meant to provoke but to reinforce Islamic teachings among Muslims, emphasizing the importance of interfaith tolerance.
He said, “If you don’t believe in Jesus, you are not a Muslim. We are Muslims and anything we believe must be in consonant with the Quran and the Quran says Jesus Christ is not God, he’s a messenger of God. We quoted this verse in the banner. Is there anything wrong if we paste what we believe on our territory to educate our congregation? It’s a verse of the Quran. This is freedom of religion, freedom of speech.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
