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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Less than 24 hours after his dismissal over anti-government sermon, the sacked chief Imam of the Apo Legislative Quarters Juma’at Mosque, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has landed a new job.
The Islamic cleric was sacked from the Apo Mosque on Monday because he didn’t show any “remorse” after his suspension.
The mosque committee said his reaction did not show any form of regret following his sermon.
Reacting to his dismissal in an interview with the Vanguard, Khalid said he paid the price for “aligning with the people and identifying with their sufferings.”
He added that he will be leading a new “congregation this Friday” in a “Jum’mat mosque we built behind the CBN Quarters, in Abuja.”
“My sack is a reflection of how Nigeria is today. Many people are hiding under the cover of religion to perpetrate all manner unwholesome acts.
“Such people would stop at nothing to take away people like me, who are pro-masses and bold enough to speak the truth to power always on behalf of voiceless Nigerians.
“This is the price we pay for aligning with the people and identifying with their sufferings.
“By the Grace of Almighty Allah, I will be leading my new congregation this Friday, because as clerics we need a platform to operate.
“There’s a Jum’mat mosque we built behind the CBN Quarters, in Abuja; I will now be leading the congregation there,” Khalid said.