Dutsen Tanshi Majlis Foundation, a religious board of the Dutsen Tanshi Jumaat mosque in Bauchi State has called on the public to remain calm and peaceful following the detention and arrest of the Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr Idris Abdulaziz Monday.
The cleric was charged to Chief Magistrate Court No. 1 sitting in Bauchi after honouring police invitation on a petition filed by Fityatul Islam, a religious group that accused him of inciting public disturbance.
Barrister Umar Hassan, the counsel to the cleric told WikkiTimes that the defendant pleaded not guilty of the offence charged against him when read to him before he was remanded in the correctional centre.
A statement signed by the Chairperson of the Majlis board, Malam Ya’u Idris noted that effort is being made to resolve the matter legally and in no account should a group of persons under its leadership come out in protest concerning the case.
“Dr Idris was invited by the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State command in respect of the case filed by Ftyatul Islam Bauchi against him for public disturbance and the case has been charged to court for prosecution.
“We urge members of the public to remain calm, prayerful, peaceful and focused as an effort is being made to resolve the matter legally.
“No group of persons, association or any religious class whatsoever, should come out in protest against the current situation,” he stated.
The cleric had during his Ramadan Quran program, made comments that some sections of the Islamic clerics mostly from the Darika sect interpreted as disrespectful and blasphemous against Prophet Mohammad (SAW), while others mostly of Izalah believed that the words of the cleric did not in any way contravene the tenet of Islam.
He was summoned by the Sharia Commission in the state for clarification on the comments before the commission later postponed the meeting.
The charge against Dr Idris is a bailable charge but a three-year imprisonment if found guilty of the offence.
He would be brought back to court today where the bail application lodged will also be entertained.
