Sultan Denies Calling For Licensing Of Preaching

The Jama’atuNasril Islam (JNI) has refuted a report by Vanguard newspaper and Leadership newspaper of 31st January,2013, where the Sultan of Sokoto, AlhajiSa’adAbubakar,  allegedly called for the licensing of religious preachers.
But in a reaction, JNI, which the Sultans heads, said the eminent Islamic leader in the goodwill message he presented at the opening ceremony of a two-day peace and security summit, organised by Nigeria bar Association (NBA) on Wednesday in Abuja never made such a request.
JNI in a statement, said: “To put records straight, the Sultan did not attend the occasion in person, but asked a senior traditional ruler to represent him, who also couldn’t attend but asked another person to represent him.
“It is very clear that the representative of the Sultan’s representative was expressing his personal opinion on a matter that was completely not related to the message he went to present on behalf of the Sultan.
“JNI under the Sultan is always in contact with the Ulama/preachers as stakeholders in ensuring effective carrying out of preaching activities in a proper manner. Therefore, the issue of licensing preachers by government does not arise. Government’s hands must therefore stay clear out of such activities,” JNI said.