Kaduna Govt. says Preaching Bill necessary to curb religious extremism

The Kaduna State Government today explained that the Religious Preaching Bill aims to protect the state from religious extremism and hate speech. Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala, the Deputy Governor of the state, told a delegation of the Kaduna State CAN that the government has a duty to ensure that religious violence no longer threatens the state. He said that the Kaduna State Government is always committed to ensuring that religion can be practiced in a safe and secure climate.

“We swore to uphold the Constitution which recognizes the freedom of religion and thought as fundamental rights. The same Constitution obliges us to ensure the safe exercise of these rights by legislating in the interest of public safety, public order, public morality or public health, and for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.

“This is not a new law. It has existed since 1984, with amendments in 1987 and 1996. The military governments which created the law were responding to outbreaks of religious violence such as Maitatsine in 1983; the riots after the Kafanchan incidence of 1987.

“This is the first time that the legislation is passing through a democratic process, with all the transparency that the public hearing and other legislative processes of the House of Assembly entails. Proposing this amendment is a deliberate decision by the government to subject the law to a democratic process, rather than just enforce the provisions of the edict as passed since 1984.

“Kaduna State has a history of Religious/Sectarian Crisis and what this Bill seeks to do is not anything new but to learn from painful experience, and discourage the use of religion for violence and division. The Bill, by virtue of Section 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution, is in order and does not offend the provisions of the constitution. The provisions of the Bill are in tandem with the Constitution.

“There is nothing in the Bill that suggests any effort to abolish, stop or derogate on the freedom of religion and religious beliefs. It merely seeks to ensure that religious preaching and activities in the State are conducted in ways that do not threaten public order, public safety, and to protect the rights and freedom of other persons.”

The 12-person CAN delegation was led by the state chairman, Bishop George Dodo. He expressed appreciation for the meeting and assured the government that CAN is preparing its position for submission to the House of Assembly and the state executive.

Signed

Samuel Aruwan

Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity)

16 March 2016

But why will buhari keep quiet in several attacks carryout by gun wielding fulani herdsmen in some state but vowed to deal with political assassination in Rivers state?Is that not a double standard and a callous president?Besides,The only religion that is violent and needs to be curb is Islam.No other religions have been killing innocent citizens,making hate speeches and attacking places of worship than Muslim.

Why do we have so many issues in the North?

They are always coming up with laws that may cause problem and look one sided. Now the xtain will say, the law will prevent them in passing out messages to their members. "What happen to freedom of religion and preaching it"

Every governor in the North always come up with one religion law or the other. If not Sharia law, it will be womem and men not to board a taxi/cab together or you must cover your head to visit certain parts of the state.

We can only get it right in the country when we seprate religions from politics.

God knows better sha!

Yes d same bill had been passed in the past. It's for the best. But some people rather see it as a measure to suppress religion.

MosakuAW:

Why do we have so many issues in the North?

They are always coming up with laws that may cause problem and look one sided. Now the xtain will say, the law will prevent them in passing out messages to their members. "What happen to freedom of religion and preaching it"

Every governor in the North always come up with one religion law or the other. If not Sharia law, it will be womem and men not to board a taxi/cab together or you must cover your head to visit certain parts of the state.

We can only get it right in the country when we seprate religions from politics.

God knows better sha!

That law will be pro Islam and anti-christian.

All these laws and no laws against boko haram and Fulani Cattle rearers terrorism.

HELL-Rufai you no try abeg.

Love Machine:
That law will be pro Islam and anti-christian.

Your claim is not true Mister.
The law will reduce the activities of fanatics in both religions.

How does this address the issue of Emirs and muslim elites playing key roles in abduction of girls for conversion to Islam