By CHIDI NKWOPARA, OWERRI
Angry reactions have continued to trail the planned establishment of Islamic banking in Nigeria by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Reacting to the issue, the Imo State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu said: “The idea of an Islamic banking in Nigeria is an impossible construct and an unmitigated effrontery to our constitutionally guaranteed secularity”.

Imo CAN Chairman also warned that Ngeria is a secular state that allows different religious faith to pursue their religions without molestation, adding the country equally recognises and respects the multi-religiousity of her citizens.

“It must be reiterated that Nigeria is not a multi-religious country but a secular one that recognises and respects the multi-religiousity of her citizens”, Rev. Dr. Ilechukwu reasoned.

He further warned that “to allow Islamic banking in Nigeria is an invitation to chaos as other religious groups can also call for their preferred banking system”.

Answering another question, Dr. Ilechukwu wondered if the CBN Governor is an Islamic cleric or a professional banker hired by the federal government to oversee the banking sector of the nation’s economy.

“CAN demands that the federal government stop Sanusi from his religiously motivated divisive action disguised as banking reform. Nigeria is not an Islamic country and cannot accommodate Islamic banking”, Dr. Ilechukwu said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/angry-trails-introduction-of-islamic-banking/

this people are ignorant, so just because it's name is Islamic, they are angry

^^^No mind them jare!
Will they also reject anything Christian in nature?I mean for the sake of secularism!cheap hypocrisy and ignorance.When we have alot of things at national level adopted from christian ways and nobody is saying anything.This bank will sail regardless.Pick another issue when you get to your next CAN meeting.Like abolishing all mosque since its not secular.Forcing all Muslims to be secular while Christians remain Christians right.

haka_nai:

^^^No mind them jare!
Will they also reject anything Christian in nature?I mean for the sake of secularism!cheap hypocrisy and ignorance.When we have alot of things at national level adopted from christian ways and nobody is saying anything.This bank will sail regardless.Pick another issue when you get to your next CAN meeting.Like abolishing all mosque since its not secular.Forcing all Muslims to be secular while Christians remain Christians right.

^^^^^^

can u imagine

thank you my brother

Guys pls understand, its ok for Muslims to want Islamic banking, but its absolutely not ok for the Nigerian central bank to be the one pushing for it. If it was a couple of investors building their own banks, I'm pretty sure nobody would be against that. If Muslims want Islam compliant banks, they should build their own Islamic banks. The CBN chairperson has no business spear heading it. This man is soon going to cause a lot of trouble.

ebere1712:

Guys pls understand, its ok for Muslims to want Islamic banking, but its absolutely not ok for the Nigerian central bank to be the one pushing for it. If it was a couple of investors building their own banks, I'm pretty sure nobody would be against that. If Muslims want Islam compliant banks, they should build their own Islamic banks. The CBN chairperson has no business spear heading it. This man is soon going to cause a lot of trouble.

ok but the job of the central bank is also to employ new banking systems in the banking sector

there is no way a private investor will go to islamic banking without the CBN giving it a go ahead

the bank in question needed the central bank to say ok and give it the go ahead

sanusi is not the one investing in the islamic bank but all is trying to do is to encourage this new banking system and is trying to explain to people why it should be encoruaged