Int’l Peace Day: Islamic cleric wants end to hate speech

The Chief Imam of Muhinudeen Central Mosque, Olunlade in Ilorin, Kwara, Alhaji Tajudeen Sanni,  on Thursday advised  Nigerians to stop  hate speeches as the world commemorates the International Peace Day.

Sanni said that those fanning the embers of discord and agitating for war were ignorant of its adverse effects.

He said most of them were just been naive because they had not witnessed war before, hence they did not know the setback it could cause a country.

He advised the people to engage themselves in dialogue over issues that they seemed to dislike  instead of allowing hate speeches to fly around across the country.

“You will never see an elderly person that witnessed the Nigerian Civil War agitating  for its repeat because it is better imagined than witnessed.

“Let us all strive and make peace with each other because there is nothing like it,” Sanni said.

The  cleric added that the unity of Nigeria was  not negotiable because there were benefits that the citizens would continue to  derive from the nation’s  diversity.

“We should see our diversity as our strength and not weakness as this is the only way we can overcome this hatred spirit that is about to envelope us, ”Sanni said.

He advised religious leaders to play always an advisory role to their followers by preaching peace and tolerance.