Saudi Cleric Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem Visits Nigeria Despite Extremist Teachings
Saudi-born Islamic cleric Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem arrived in Nigeria on Friday, drawing sharp criticism for his extremist views. The cleric, known for advocating strict Sharia law, has repeatedly called on Muslims to enslave or kill non-Muslims who refuse to convert to Islam, pay taxes to an Islamic government, or follow Sharia. Sheikh Hakeem, banned from speaking at UK universities in 2012 over his radical teachings, has long been associated with ultra-conservative interpretations of Islam. His views contrast with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to distance the country from such hardline ideologies. In a YouTube video posted on April 1, 2020, now approaching 87,000 views, Sheikh Hakeem encouraged Muslims to prepare over the next 40 to 50 years to expand Islamic influence worldwide. He described a system where non-Muslims would be compelled to accept Islam, pay Jizyah taxes, or obey Sharia law, warning that refusal could lead to armed conflict, enslavement, and loss of land. Explaining the types of jihad in Islam, he said: “The other type of Jihad is the one that everyone is trying to hide. It is the Jihad of pursuing, running after; and this Jihad was in the time of the Prophet, but this Jihad cannot be accomplished, cannot take place unless the state (number) of the Muslims is strong. If we don’t have a strong Muslim country, who can they pursue or attack? Just stay where you are and try to fix yourself, enrich your people with Islamic knowledge, and Iman.” He added that the aim of such jihad is primarily Da’wah, or inviting non-Muslims to Islam: “It is for Da’wah. Jihad is only for Da’wah, and that is why when Muslims go and conquer the adjacent country, what do we do? We kill them all? No. The prophet says, the first thing you do is to call them to Islam, if they accept it, you leave them, once they’re Muslims, we go, if they refuse, then tell them that ‘Allah obliged upon you to pay taxation’. You have to give us a percentage (Jizyah), and this percentage is given once or twice a year, and it is equivalent to the Zakat (alms giving by Muslims). Jizyah is not taken from women and children; it is only taken from men who work and can produce. And in return, when enemies come and attack your country, you don’t fight; we Muslims will protect you, and you’ll enjoy sitting in your home and your country and live your life normally. “But, the ruling is for Sharia, so you do not open nightclubs, you do not fornicate in the streets, you live your normal lives, but publicly, Islam rules. If they refuse, then we have to fight (demonstrates the slaughter sign); and if we fight you, then we capture you, you’ll become our slaves, and we’ll take your land, because you refused; I [we] give you two good options, this is the strength of Islam.” Sheikh Hakeem also expressed concern over the current global Muslim population, saying such a vision would only be possible in 40 to 50 years: “Maybe in the coming 40 to 50 years when Muslims become strong, as they’re supposed to be, and they’re focused Islamically, and Islamically-oriented.” In Nigeria, he was invited as a keynote speaker at an event organized by the 1Ummah Islamic Organisation, which lists Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, among its financiers. Other speakers included former communications minister Isa Ali Pantami and several prominent clerics and scholars. The event took place in Lagos on November 15 and 16, with a follow-up session scheduled in Abuja on November 22. Sheikh Hakeem’s presence in Nigeria has drawn international attention amid ongoing reports of attacks on Christians in the country. The U.S. recently designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, citing ongoing religious persecution, and warned of potential intervention against extremist groups. Authorities in Nigeria had not commented on his entry as of press time, leaving questions over security vetting and the influence of radical teachings in Africa’s most populous nation.