JIHAD  AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN A MULTI-RELIGIOUS STATEA SUB-THEME PAPER DELIVERED AT A NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON "ISLAM AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN A CONTEMPORARY MULTI-RELIGIOUS SOCIETY"ORGANIZED BY NASRU-L-LAHI-L-FATIH SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (NASFAT)ONTHURSDAY, 10 MAY 2012BYPROFESSOR DAWUD O. S. NOIBIEXECUTIVE SECRETARYMUSLIM UMMAH OF SOUTH WEST NIGERIA (MUSWEN)   ProtocolAs-Salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatu LlahIntroduction: Concern!Every adult Nigerian ought to be interested in the peaceful co-existence of the various ethnic and religious groups in the country. There is no doubt about the fact that ethnic and religious disharmony and conflicts are destructive and would render real development a virtually unattainable dream. Therefore, the fact that the ever-increasing security challenges that we encounter in Nigeria today assume a religious dimension should be source of great concern for every adult Nigerian. But it is more so for Nigerian Muslims because those believed to be behind the recent attacks and killings are Muslim and are said to believe they are doing it all on behalf of Islam.

JIHAD AND TERRORISM:ANY RELATIONSHIP?

A PAPER PRESENTED BYDR SANI ABUBAKAR LUGGA THE WAZIRI OF KATSINADoctor of Management, Master of Business Administration,Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management,Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (Nigeria),Fellow of the Institute of Professional Financial Managers (UK), A Senior Member of Katsina Emirate Council, A Visiting Lecturer at Katsina University, An Ambassador of the Universal Peace Federation.

AT A NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON “ISLAM AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN A CONTEMPORARY MULTI-RELIGIOUS SOCIETY”

Organised ByNASRUL-LAHI FATIH SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (NASFAT)In Collaboration WithUNITED STATES OF AMERICA DIPLOMATIC MISSIONAND OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT

Held on Thursday 18th Jumada Thani, 1433 – 10th May, 2012AT SHEHU YAR’ADUA CENTRE, ABUJA

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon the Noble Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, his Household and his Companions.Assalamu Alaikum, wa Rahmatul Lahi Ta’ala wa Barkatuhu,INTRODUCTIONThis National Symposium on “ISLAM AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN A CONTEMPORARY MULTI-RELIGIOUS SOCIETY” organised by NASFAT is most welcome. Islam is a religion of peace, built on peace and sustained by peace. Nigeria is passing through a period of religious, sectarian, ethnic and political turmoil and whatever could be done to arrest the situation, should be done. Such a Symposium will assist in bringing the unsavoury Nigerian situation under control; therefore the organisers must be commended for taking the bold initiatives.