The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Ridwanullah Jamiu, has responded to the controversy surrounding a banner displayed on the mosque’s fence that stated, “Jesus Christ is Not God.”
The banner ignited debate on social media, with many interpreting it as an attack on Christianity. However, Jamiu clarified that the banner, along with others featuring verses from the Quran and Hadith, was intended solely to educate Muslims.
“When you come to Lekki Central Mosque, at least you should learn something. You pass by the banners outside, you look here and there, you learn something because Islam treasures knowledge,”
he explained to his congregation.
After the photo of the banner went viral, Ridwanullah Jamiu, the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, received calls from various government authorities, including the local government and area command, requesting the removal of the banners due to the festive season.
Jamiu stressed that the banners were not meant to provoke or offend but were intended to peacefully share and propagate their beliefs.
“It was not placed there just yesterday. It has been there for about two months or thereabout. We are peace-loving people, we don’t provoke anyone. We only propagate our name,” Jamiu stated.
He further elaborated that Muslims also revere Jesus, known as Isah in the Quran, and believe he is a messenger of God, not God himself.
“If you don’t believe in Jesus, you are not a Muslim. We are Muslims and anything we believe must be in consonance with the Quran and the Quran says Jesus Christ is not God, he’s a messenger of God. We quoted this verse in the banner. Is there anything wrong if we paste what we believe on our territory to educate our congregation? It’s a verse of the Quran. This is freedom of religion, freedom of speech,” Jamiu said.\
Regarding the removal of the banner, Jamiu mentioned that it was taken down to maintain peace and adhere to government requests, especially during the festive period.
However, he noted that this decision was not out of cowardice but to ensure tranquility.
“We are going to modify it and put it back. We are not cowards,” he added.
The original banner has since been replaced with another that reads, “Allah is the lord of Jesus.”