The Federal Government granted visa to renowned extremist and Islamic
terror preacher, Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, who has been banned from a
number of countries because of his messages. The Minister of Interior,
Abba Moro said Philips was granted visa because he 'met the
requirements
Philips who lives in Qatar has been issued a Nigerian Visa to visit and
preach in the Country. The cleric has 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 visa and in
Nigeria’s situation especially against “the back drop 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”.
He further said it was double standards, as “when the Nigerian
government signed the anti-law and the west was complaining, we started
that Nigeria nation is a soverign country that should be allowed to
determine it’s destiny and practices”.
He added that Nigeria will therefore not use” the refusal of visa by Germany, UK as a basis for refusing anybody visa here.
“I can assure you that the Nigerian security personnel are equal to
the task of detecting whose activities that are inimical to the
situation of this country.
“Any moment that his preaching and activities are seen to be inimical
to the security of this country I can assure you that we are up to the
task of repatriating him as soon as possible.
“And his specific activities in this country guides the request that
he has made which has also guided the action of the Nigerian immigration
service in granting the visa.
“Apart from the preacher any other person that gains entry to this
country whose activities undermine the integrity and security of this
country will be properly treated.”
