In a major boost to the fight against insurgency, Islamic scholars have been equipped with skills to counter Boko Haram’s extremist ideology.
Speaking at the conclusion of a six-month training session in Maiduguri on Sunday, Executive Director of Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, Hamsatu Allamin, disclosed that the scholars would deradicalise individuals ensnared by the sect.
The training, supported by the UK aid, Commonwealth and Development Office, focused on community-based deradicalization processes.
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“Today is a milestone achievement for us in Allamin Foundation; we have come to the end of the training session for our Islamic Scholars who engage in deradicalization processes.
“We have been training them for over six months now.
“Sheik Ali Mustapha has been diligently engaging with the 10 selected scholars, taking them through our community-based deradicalization process of Boko Haram,” Allamin said.
She explained that the scholars would use Quran and Hadith knowledge to undo the wrong teachings and understanding of Boko Haram members.
“The war has not been ended totally, but many of the members have surrendered with women and children.
“We discovered that the only way to deradicalise them is through making them understand that their perception is wrong and is not according to the teachings of Islam.”
Allamin revealed that 130 ex-Boko Haram members had been deradicalised and were now peace ambassadors.
“We have decided to adopt using Quran and Hadith to make Boko Haram insurgents restore peace and stop terrorism in the state,” she added.
Allamin commended the Borno State government and partners for their support.
She urged the scholars to incorporate all knowledge of Islam to promote peace, understanding, and tolerance.