“We’re Muslims, not Boko Haram”

Cameroon Headlines, Buea, June 23 - Muslim faithful in the South West Region have said they are being stigmatised by members of the public as being members of the dreaded extremist sect, Boko Haram. They say being a Muslim does not automatically make you a member of the sect.

The said they are in support of Boko Halal (western education is good) and not Boko Haram (western Education is evil).

South West Muslim Community

Meeting in Buea during a conference organised by the South West Muslim Community (SOWEMUC), Sunday, June 22, at the Buea Youth and Animation Center, they can never sympathise with Boko Haram.

“We’re Muslims and not members of the terrorist group Boko Haram. We the leaders of the South West Muslim Community join forces with the government to denounce all obscurantist practices carried out in the name of Islam,” they declared.

Declaration No. 001/SOWEMUC/SWR/2014 expresses the wish of Muslim faithful in the South West to collaborate with the administration and forces of law and order as ways are being sought to crush the terrorist movement.

“We are here today to declare or support to the Head of S to the Head of State, H.E. President Paul Biya against this group. We shall not allow any room, in our region for this group. We assure the President of the Republic that  the creed in Islam is the quest for Knowledge, Justice, Progress, Peacee and Development,” the declaration reads in part.

It further states that “we should promote ‘Boko Halal’ which in Hausa means that education is allowed as quoted in the Quran and the teachings of our Prophet Mohammed.”

They reminded Muslim faithful that Prophet Mohammed calls on them to “seek knowledge, any knowledge for both boys and girls even if it will take you to far away China.”

El Hadj Mohaman Nayelwa, President of SOWEMUC said Boko Haram is not Islam because Islam is synonymous to peace. He said Islam is about peace and unity and since Boko Haram threatens the peace of the nation, it is thus a big enemy.

“I want to plead with you to preach the message of unity, peace, development and solidarity. We are  a week to Ramadan and should remain vigilant,” Nayelwa said.

Haman Dahirou, Inspector General of Services at the South West Governor’s Office urged the Muslim community to stand against the infiltration of Boko Haram, assuring them that government is on the alert.

Rev. Pastor William Linonge said on the occasion that Boko Haram militants, when unveiled, will be crucified among lions and they will be crushed through prayers and fasting.

The declaration was signed among others by: El Hadj Mohaman Nayelwa, SOWEMUC President; El Hadj Ousseini Adamou Labbo, President of the Council of Muslim Chiefs for Littoral and South West; Imam Mohamed Aboubakar, SOWEMUC Secretary General; Maina Tanimou Salissou, SOWEMUC Youth President; El Hadj Moussa Aboubakar, South West President of the Bororo Social, Cultural and Development Association; Chief Sule Mbua, Chief of Buea Muslim Community and Organising Secretary SOWEMUC; El Hadj Adamou Maina, South West Chief of Elders; El Hadj Mohamed Adamou Ouba, SOWEMUC Vice President and Chief of Kumba Muslim Community; Amadou Mussande, Chief of Bamoun Community in Limbe and Hadja Fhadimatou Nayelwa, President of Moslem Women Association in Limbe.

It was signed in the presence of Chief Endeley, Paramount Chief of Buea.

The conference was held under the theme: “Peace and Unity as Factor of Development”.