Cleric says any Muslim that votes for Gender Equality is an Unbeliever

A Muslim cleric and leader of the Tijjaniya Brotherhood, Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu, has condemned the Gender Equality Bill, saying whoever (Muslim) approves of the bill could be termed an unbeliever.

The Gender Equality Opportunity, GEO, Bill to entrench gender equality and elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, which is sponsored by a female Senator, Biodun Olujimi, suffered major setback in March this year but scaled through second reading in the Senate on September 29.

The Bill has raised concern in the country. While some are of the opinion that men and women are of equal rights, others have kicked against the bill, .

In his opinion, the Muslim cleric said the bill which proposes that men and women inherit an equal share, vio­lates the teachings of Islam.

While warning Muslim lawmakers that they will be condemned as unbelievers if they back the gender equality bill, Rabiu told BBC: “Whoever approves of the bill is an unbeliever, not Muslim.

“I am appealing to all Mus­lim [senators] to never allow this bill to become law and if they do, we are going to tell all Nigerian Muslims not to accept it,” he added