Blasphemy: CAN Reacts To Death Sentence On Kano Singer
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted to the death sentence passed on a Kano singer, Yahaya Aminu Sharif who was convicted of blasphemy by a Shari’a Court. An Upper Shari’a Court sitting at Hausawa Quarters in Kano has sentenced a 22-year old singer Yahaya Aminu Sharif to death by hanging for blasphemy against Prophet of Muhammad.
Adeolu Samuel Adeyemo, the Kano state chairman of CAN said the religious body does not object to the ruling because it is according to the position of Islam.
The CAN chairman told The Guardian: “For us in CAN, the judgment of the Shari’a court is according to Islamic law and so we don’t have objection to it because it is according to the position of Islam.”
Adeyemo added that religious tolerance should be upheld for a harmonious atmosphere to reign in the society.
He pointed out that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a grievous sin that can not be forgiven.
“So, our interference is not relevant. Now, if you want to know the position of Christianity about blasphemy, I will say there is what you can blaspheme about and what you cannot. And the Lord Jesus said blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a grievous sin that has no forgiveness. That is the position of Christianity,” he said.
Sharif, a resident of Sharifai quarters in Kano municipal, was accused of committing blasphemy against the prophet in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020.
Sharif’s action came to public knowledge on 4th of March, 2020, when hundreds of angry youths stormed the Kano Hisbah board headquarters in protest against what they considered an uncomplimentary assault on prophet Muhammad.
The youths accused government and security agencies of undue protection and failure to act appropriately against Sharif.
The irate youths had earlier razed down the family house of the singer after his disappearance when they invaded the resident.