Kano Residents call for demolition of Shi’ite shrine in Kano

The residents, under the aegis of Kofar WaikaCommunity Elders Committee, in astrongly worded petition tothe state government and signed by Alhaji LawanWaika,statedthat“none of the residents of Waikaareaisof the Shi’ite sect” but explained that“since the Shi’ites’ clash withthe military at Zaria in December 2015, we have been witnessing the presence and movement of strange facesin and out of the area” – the Waikaarea is where the residence of the deputy leader of the sect,Mallam Muhammad Turi, who was killed inthe December clash, is located.
The residents also revealed in the petitionthat “Shi’ite members organize preaching sessions and they disrespect constituted authority inthe process; they also disrespect the traditionalrulers and members of the security agencies and also incitetheir followers to carry out violent acts”.
The lateTuri’s residence, which is alleged tohave been converted to a shrine, islocated on the northern plain of Goron Dutse hill, behind the residence of Sheik Isyaku Rabiu.
But in aswift reaction, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, the main Shi’ite sect in the country, dismissed the call fordemolition of Turi’s residence, describing itas a“peak of mischief”.
In astatementcirculatedand made availableto Sunday Vanguard in Kano, and signed by Dr.   Dauda Nalado, IMN saidthat whatisbeing referred to as shrine serves as    “Kano Markaz” of IMN.
Dr Nalado, who is auniversity don, in the statement,noted that“the Islamic Center has been in the neighborhood for the past13 years and in over a decade of its existence there has never been asingle report of any criminal activityby the neighbours of the center.”
He maintainedthat“for anybody to claimthatmembers of the Islamic Movement areengaged in dangerous activitiesismalicious,mischievous and ablatantlie”.
The statementfurther calledon the Kano StateGovernment to “disregard such malicious claimsperpetrated by mischief makers bent on brewing sectarian sentimentsthatwill be detrimentaltopeaceful coexistence in the state”.
He further stressed “The Islamic Movement for the past 40 years has been the most tolerantof allgroups and associationswithin the Islamic community in thecountry, therefore for someone toassociateus with violence isthe peak of mischief”.
A visittothe contentious structure at Kofar Waikaquarters 300metres from a police stationrevealed stern-looking malnourished middle aged men keeping vigil.