Nigerian Sufis demand involvement in war against terrorism

Nigeria’s eight-year conflict with Boko Haram has resulted in the deaths of over 20,000 civilians and a large-scale humanitarian crisis.

This conflict raises a very important question about the role of Sufism in Nigeria in encountering this terrorist threat, represented by Daesh’s Boko Haram.

Tijaniyyah and Qadiriyya are the two main prevalent Sufi order in Nigeria. The first one, founded by Ahmad al-Tijani (1737–1815), is more widespread in Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Northern and South-western Nigeria and some part of Sudan. While Qadiriyya got its name from Abdul Qadir Gilani (1077–1166), it relies strongly upon adherence to the fundamentals of Islam. It is widespread, particularly in the Arabic-speaking world, like Egypt, Iraq and East and West Africa.

Religious archives showed Islam had been adopted as the religion of the majority of the leading figures in the Borno Empire during the reign of King Idris Alooma (1571–1603), although a large part of that country still adhered to traditional religions.

Sufism contributed to the spread of Islam in Nigeria as Sufis began to build mosques and schools and buy slaves to free them, teach them Islam, and send them back to their hometowns.

Muslims in Nigeria were not highly organized until 1994 with the spark of Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen that resulted Boko Haram, not to mention that around 75 million Muslims in Nigeria are illiterate and that the government does not officially recognize Arabic schools in Nigeria.

The Islamic State in West Africa, commonly known as Boko Haram, is a jihadist militant organization based in northeastern Nigeria, also active in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon.

Founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002, the group is currently led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, appointed by Daesh in 2016

Dozens of Sufis, especially followers of the Tijaniyyah order, were executed by Boko Haram, which chased them all over the country.

Hundreds others tried to escape Boko Haram, as some managed to flee, others died starving or drowning.

Boko Haram also kidnapped at least one hundred Sufis from a farm in Nigeria, not to mention that it has been destroying Sufi shrines and defaming dignitaries.

Worse still, the two main Sufi orders in Nigeria appear to be divided with no signs of future cooperation, despite of the deteriorating level of security in Nigeria.

Tijani Sufis have demanded Nigerian President Muhammad al-Bukhari to involve them in the war against extremist groups, affirming their refusal to the Salafist existence in Nigeria, especially after a lot of Salafists joined Boko Haram.

The Tijani order in Nigeria also communicated with its branches in the Arab world to get the necessary support in encountering Boko Haram and seeking a strong mechanism in fighting terrorism.

In the same context, Sufi orders, in collaboration with official Nigerian foundations, have received delegations from religious foundations and organizations all over the world to unite Nigerians and fortify them against radical and extremist groups that take advantage of the youth to carry out their villainous crimes.

Al Azhar’s Peace Caravan was one of these delegations that also aimed to spread peace as the true message of Islam and to address and fight terrorism.