One of the most respected Islamic clerics, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi has declared the ban on Almajiri system unacceptable.
Almajiri system is known as a system where children leave their parents and homes in the quest for Islamic knowledge.
Many Northern Governors such as Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state banned the system as part of measures to contain COVID-19 Pandemic.
However, Usman Bauchi said the government has no rights to ban the system as every citizen is entitled to freedom of religion and the ban violates that fundamental human right.
“The constitution of the country gives us the freedom to practice our religion the way we want it. Our biggest religion is the Quran. Since the Quran has given them (those in power) laws that they have refused to abide with, what right do they have to give instructions or law to the Quran? Based on that, we will not accept the ban on Almajiri by northern governors,” he said.
“Our right to freedom of worship is being violated. We will not accept violation of our right to go to any part of the country to practice our religion.
“The reason is because there is a government and the government operates by a constitution. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives every citizen the right to movement, the right to practice their religion. These students (Almajirai) are Nigerians.
“Packing our people like animals and moving them from one place to the other, we will not accept. As Nigerians, we have a right to practice our religion. The Quran is the basis of our religion. We will not accept any violation of our rights.
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“We will not accept the ban on Almajiri. We have the right to go anywhere in the world to read the Quran.” the Islamic cleric concluded.
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