A group of Muslim professionals have form themselves into a non-governmental organization under the auspices of Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) to mobilise Nigerian Muslims to participate in partisan politics, alleging that Nigerian Muslims had been relegated to the background in the scheme of things.
The President of the National Body which is the first of its kind in the country, Mr. Shefiu Abdul-Rasheed told IOL that the establishment of the body was long overdue because of the marginalization of Muslims in the civil service and the political administration of the country.
He contended that while Muslims form the majority in Africa's largest democracy, issues concerning the Muslims were being relegated to the background.
Abdul-Rasheed, who is a foremost educationalist, explained that issues concerning Muslims had been ignored in the States House of Assembly and the National Assembly.
He assured that the new group would encourage Muslims to participate in politics so that they can fight for their rights, noting that no political party could win any election in Nigeria without the majority vote of the Muslims.
Abdul-Rasheed pointed out that peaceful means would be used to carry out the objectives of the group, saying that Islam has claimed the greater percentage of worshippers in the world through peaceful propagation.
He revealed that the group would use press conferences, press releases, seminars, conferences, lectures, radio and television programs, book publishing, and articles in newspapers and journals.
Calling on Muslims to see partisan politics as part of an act of worship, he stated that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was both a political leader and spiritual leader. He said Muslims should not see politics as a dirty game in Nigeria, but that they should come up to participate to sanitize it.
