Deborah Samuel: Thirteen Muslim Organizations Demand Justice for K*llers

13 Muslim groups have demanded justice for Deborah Samuel, a Christian girl, was killed by Muslim classmates in Sokoto for supposed blasphemy.

Samuel was a student at Sokoto’s Shehu Shagari College of Education at the time of her death.

Now, 13 Muslim organizations have joined together under the banner of Muslims United for Peace and Justice to demand justice for the victim.

The organizations urged state and federal governments to enact and faithfully implement laws criminalizing blasphemy and murdering for blasphemy outside the law.

Professor Lakin Akintola, Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), spoke at a news conference in Lagos alongside other Muslim leaders, appealing for justice against the killers, regardless of their motivation or the justification they claimed.According to him, the tragic event could be utilized as a turning point in Muslim-Christian relations and herald a new peaceful co-existence, adding that these were achievable ideals if each religious adherent would embrace and sincerely practice the sublime messages of their faith.

He urged Christians to employ all means to fend-off intolerance and called for deep introspection by leaders of the Christian community.

He explained, “We express strong solidarity with voices of reason and moderation amongst scholars of Islam and declare readiness to continue working together to strengthen the pillars of national peace, reconciliation and understanding.”

He enjoined leaders of various religious faiths to continue to enlighten and educate adherents on the need for mutual respect, to focus on messages of love and work against voices of hatred and extremism, amongst them.