Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, on Saturday applauded the contribution of the Tijjaniyya Islamic sect in fostering unity among the Muslim community in the country.
Shettima spoke at the 2025 Maulud celebration for the late Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, the spiritual leader of the Tijjaniyya sect at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.
Shettima, who was represented by a cleric, Sheikh Babagana Fannami, praised the Muslim sect for upholding the true teachings of Islam over the past century.
The ceremony was almost marred by what the Kano State government described as scare-mongering by security agencies, which had earlier blocked the Kofar Mata Stadium, in Kano, where the event was scheduled to take place.
The police, for whatever reason had issued a terror alert over the gathering, an action the Kano State government took exception to, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who expressed the government’s regret that security agencies “had blocked the venue designated for the highly significant religious event, despite the fact that many members of the sect from within and outside Nigeria had already arrived in the state for the occasion” and especially as “there has been no report of any security threat in Kano State that would warrant such an extreme measure.”
The Government thereafter insisted that the event must go on as planned and at the same venue.
Shettima, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, eulogised the guiding principles of the ‘Sufi’ sect to humanity, emphasising the unwavering tenacity of the Tijjaniyya sect to the lessons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) rather than compromising matters of the jurisprudence of Islam.
He, therefore, reminded Muslims to emulate the true teachings of Islam and avoid extremism.
The chief host, Gov. Abba Yusuf, equally lauded the efforts of the sect in maintaining peace and harmonious relationships with other sects in Nigeria.
He said, “As your host, we have to appreciate all of you for coming to Kano from far and near to attend this year’s maulud for Sheikh Ibrahom Nyass.”
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who doubles as the national leader of Tijjaniyya in Nigeria, prayed for the unity of Muslims around the globe, stressing the dire need for tolerance of believers of other faiths.
Despite the initial terror alert by, and heavy security presence at the venue, to which the Kano State Government had expressed strong objections, stating that it was unwarranted and could disrupt the peaceful gathering, the event ultimately took place without any security breaches or incidents.
