Controversial Sheikh Jingir Insists On Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Says He Won’t Withdraw Statement Amid Backlashes | Sahara Reporters

The cleric reiterated his position while speaking in Hausa during an interview with a journalist, where he was asked about the backlash that followed his comments.

Controversial northern Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahya Jingir, has insisted that he stands by his controversial comments advocating support for Muslim-Muslim political tickets, saying he has no reason to withdraw the statement despite criticism from politicians, organisations and other members of the public.

Jingir had called on Muslims in Kano State to support Muslim-Muslim political tickets while also urging his followers to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of future elections.

The cleric reiterated his position while speaking in Hausa during an interview with a journalist, where he was asked about the backlash that followed his comments.

The interviewer asked:“Sir, from making these statements in Kano, you went on to reiterate them to Muslims here. Many people have been criticising you — politicians, organisations, and others. How do you feel about the criticism?”

Responding, Jingir said he had accepted the criticism and was prepared to endure whatever consequences came with expressing his position.

“As for the criticism, I have already accepted it and paid the price for it. Since the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘The scholars are the heirs of the prophets,’” he said.

The interviewer then followed up:“Scholars are the heirs of the prophets. So, as their followers —”

Jingir interrupted and explained that Islamic scholars and their followers were expected to emulate the patience and endurance of the prophets in the face of criticism and insults.

He said: “We want to follow in the footsteps of the prophets. We know the kind of insults those who opposed Islam hurled at the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and how he endured them.

“They also insulted Islamic scholars, and they endured it. We who came later have tried to emulate them, although we can never truly compare ourselves to them.

“That is why I continue to exercise patience. I do not engage in arguments with people who insult me. If something is true, I say it, and if someone does not understand me, then that is how it is. At least, I am not concerned about what these people say.”

The journalist then asked Jingir whether, despite his conviction, he ever regretted making the comments or felt that he should withdraw them.

“But, Sir, do you ever feel that you regret making any of those statements, or that you should withdraw those comments?” the journalist asked.

Jingir rejected the suggestion that he should retract his position, insisting that he remained firmly committed to what he had said.

“May Allah protect me. I stand by what I said. When someone came to interview me, I told him that what you heard was exactly what I meant. I stand by it, and I have no reason to withdraw it,” Jingir said.

He further prayed that he would remain alive and die holding the same religious conviction.

“I pray to Allah to keep me alive in that conviction. May I die as a believing Muslim, bearing witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

“May Allah make our graves a place of mercy and compassion. And on the Day of Resurrection, may Allah raise me as a believing Muslim and grant us His mercy and compassion.

“Therefore, there will be no withdrawal, God willing,” he added.

The journalist pressed him further to confirm whether he was categorically refusing to withdraw the statement.

“You are not withdrawing the statement?” the interviewer asked.

The cleric’s remarks come amid continuing political debates in Nigeria over religious balancing in political contests and the acceptability of Muslim-Muslim political tickets.

Jingir’s earlier appeal to Muslims in Kano to support such tickets and his call for them to obtain their PVCs had attracted criticism from sections of the public, including politicians and organisations.