Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide, has asserted that the ISWAP terrorists who are coercing Christians to convert to Islam or face death do not embody the true essence of Islam.
In a post shared on his official X account on Friday, Ahmad emphasized that the actions of these terrorists do not reflect the teachings of Islam.
Naijatrial reminds us that ISWAP published an image depicting one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State ablaze, along with a statement declaring that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, offering them a chance to “spare their blood” by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to the group.
In response, Ahmad stated, “The ISWAP terrorists who are threatening Christians to convert to Islam or face death are clearly not Muslims, and their actions do not represent Islam or its teachings. Islam has never been spread through coercion, intimidation, or violence.
“The Qur’an clearly states that there is no compulsion in religion, and even during the time of our beloved Prophet (PBUH), Muslims lived harmoniously with non-Muslims in both Makkah and Madinah, united by mutual respect, justice, and shared humanity.
“What these terrorists are doing is a total betrayal of Islam and a misrepresentation of its values. Their renewed campaign of violence and intimidation is completely condemnable and goes against both our religion and humanity.