(Wam) / 13 May 2014

Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah, President of Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, condemned the recent kidnapping of hundreds of young Nigerian schoolgirls by the Boko Haram group.

He released a statement to media expressing the organizations dismay at the spate of violence in Nigeria.

“We absolutely…assert that it has no religious or logical justification. We implore this group to return these innocent girls to their homes and families, and to desist from these vile acts that all revealed religions unite in prohibiting, especially Islam, whose image has been vilified and its sanctity violated at the hands of individuals who do not comprehend its reality nor consult its learned religious leaders.”

He called on Islamic scholars and Christian religious leaders in Nigeria and West Africa to cooperate and support each other in saving the missing girls.

“It is their collective responsibility to stop this killing and fighting, which will not end except in destruction, chaos, and anarchy. Leaders from both groups must also support the efforts for peace not only in Nigeria alone, but also in Central Africa, which has witnessed – and continues to witness – many terrible events.”

He also said the benefits of peace far outweighed any perceived benefits of continued war and violence.

“Acts of revenge and short term victories over enemies will not yield any sustainable benefits in the long term. Our sincere invitation for everyone is to reclaim the spirit of brotherhood and atmosphere of peace, so that the region becomes an abode of love and harmony.”