Nigeria explains granting of Visa to controversial Islamic cleric

Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips was deported from Kenya hours after arriving.

The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, has said given reasons why the Federal Government granted visa to an Islamic preacher, Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips.

Mr. Philips, who lives in Qatar, has been issued a Nigerian Visa to visit and preach in the Country.

The cleric has been barred from entering countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany. He was also deported from Kenya hours after landing in 2012 as authorities accused him of ‘mobilizing people with his controversial preachings.’

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said every country has its own requirement for the grant visa; 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 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 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 guide 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”.

Born in 1946 in Jamaica, Mr. Philips grew up in Toronto in Canada and converted to Islam in 1972. He is an Islamic cleric, author and teacher.