By SaharaReporters, New York

Islamic cleric Sheik Ahmad Abubakar Gumi yesterday asserted that all the good things in Nigeria were being done by Muslims, contrary to what he described as a conspiracy to present Islam in bad light.

Sheik Gumi, who is based in Saudi Arabia, made the claim as he continued his series of Ramadan sermons at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna.

A source who is attending the daily Ramadan sermons gave SaharaReporters details of the sheik’s latest talk.

The source quoted the cleric, whose father was the late Sheik Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, as stating, “All the good things in Nigeria are done by Muslims.” Mr. Gumi reportedly claimed that General Danbazzau was removed as Chief of Army Staff because he is a Muslim, adding that the ex-general’s efforts to build a military hospital in Kaduna have since been abandoned. The cleric stated that the hospital would have served all Nigerians well.

The Islamic cleric also drew his audience’s attention that when Nigeria desperately needed a czar to take on the scourge of corruption, the country turned to Nuhu Ribadu, a Muslim. He reminded the audience that Mr. Ribadu even arrested his boss, ex-Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun.

Sheik Gumi praised Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido for clearing the rubbish at the apex bank. In addition, he praised the work done by Nasir El-Rufai when he served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.

The cleric also drew attention to the late Abubakar Rimi’s tenure as a minister. He credited Mr. Rimi with firing a director in the ministry who used “juju” to terrorize people, adding that only a Muslim could do that.
Mr. Gumi also lauded the late Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, for his foresight in moving Nigeria’s capital to Abuja, adding that the city’s central location has worked for the benefit of all Nigerians.

After reinforcing that Muslims were behind the good deeds he enumerated, Sheik Gumi wondered why there were attempts today to portray Muslims as people trying to stir trouble. He asserted that the country was already deep in problems, adding that there should be justice in order to secure everlasting peace.
Mr. Gumi argued that justice demanded that soldiers be sent to southern Kaduna, Jos and other areas where he alleged that Muslims have no protection. He stated that there are still refugees from southern Kaduna and that security agents had done nothing concrete to protect them from attacks.

He urged Muslims to work towards change, beginning with the registration of all mosques. “Let us register all our Mosques, collect 100 naira each,” he said. The cleric added, “This talk is not about Izala but just saving us in this world before we go before God. If we start registration of mosques, ignore those that will refuse the registration, let’s forge ahead and gather money and save our people from this challenges we are facing now.”