The federal government Sunday advanced reasons why it
granted visa to a renowned extremist and Islamic terror Preacher, Dr Abu
Ameenah Bilal Philips.
It said the cleric met all the requirements that ensured the granting of visa to him..
Philips who lives in Qatar has been issued a Nigerian Visa to visit and preach in the Country.
The cleric had already been banned from countries like Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, Kenya, amongst others.
Reports had it that the cleric celebrated his Visa issuance with his followers on his facebook on Sunday morning, saying, "Al hamdu lillaah. I just got a visa for Nigeria and will be going there in a few days, in shaa allaah. So, I hope to see all my Nigerian brothers and sisters. Baarakallaahu feekum".
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Minister of Interior noted that every country has its own requirement for the grant of visa and in Nigeria's situation especially against "the backdrop of our security challenges, we also have our requirement for granting of visas.
"We have our own black list too of people that because of our security situation should not be allowed into country.
"And if this preacher that you talk about for instance did not fall within the list of people black listed for their activities that are inimical to internal security. If he is preaching and the content of what he has submitted for the granting of visa that will not undermine the security of the country, then certainly we will grant him the visa. That is the purpose we have achieved here".
It said the cleric met all the requirements that ensured the granting of visa to him..
Philips who lives in Qatar has been issued a Nigerian Visa to visit and preach in the Country.
The cleric had already been banned from countries like Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, Kenya, amongst others.
Reports had it that the cleric celebrated his Visa issuance with his followers on his facebook on Sunday morning, saying, "Al hamdu lillaah. I just got a visa for Nigeria and will be going there in a few days, in shaa allaah. So, I hope to see all my Nigerian brothers and sisters. Baarakallaahu feekum".
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Minister of Interior noted that every country has its own requirement for the grant of visa and in Nigeria's situation especially against "the backdrop of our security challenges, we also have our requirement for granting of visas.
"We have our own black list too of people that because of our security situation should not be allowed into country.
"And if this preacher that you talk about for instance did not fall within the list of people black listed for their activities that are inimical to internal security. If he is preaching and the content of what he has submitted for the granting of visa that will not undermine the security of the country, then certainly we will grant him the visa. That is the purpose we have achieved here".
"The caption Islamic terror preacher" is disturbing particularly with the current fight against Islamic insurgence; bokoharam. What is the man coming to preach. Will his preaching not further ignite the already bad security situation in the country. I want to believe that the visa was granted either in error or out of sentiment. Fed gov shopuld be watchful
ReplyDeleteDo u even know anything about Billal philips. He is a man of intellectual agility,nigerians should be happy to to av dis man. Give us a single clip of his video where he preached Terrorism.
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with the minister. We should not alow these fundamentalist into our country any more . Especially now that the security situation is tence . Well , he should be kept under strict security surveilence throughout his stay in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteWith all these islamic extremism that has given birth to boko haram, the government decides to give visa to a morale booster who will come and encourage them to keep up the good work. Another double standard from this dumb administeration from honouring abacha to bringing in a terrorist, what more do we need to know about this clueless administeration?
ReplyDelete