Darul Islam (Nigeria)


Darul Islam is an Islamic organization in Nigeria. It which maintains a compound outside the town of Mokwa, Niger State, where 3,000-4,000 adherents live. The group is headed by Amrul Bashir Abdullahi. The term Darul Islam refers both to the group and the surrounding community.

Raid

The compound was raided by Nigerian police in August 2009, during the episode of sectarian violence in 2009. No violence occurred during the raid although 600 members were questioned by the police.

Creed

Darul Islam is otherwise known as Darul Salam, which means "land of peace". The organization upholds doctrines that are not in line with the general beliefs of the majority of Muslims in Nigeria. First, the members of the organization believe that human society, and more specifically Nigerian society, has been corrupted by indecencies and licentiousness. This corruption militates against the practice of Islam; hence, it is necessary to migrate to the "land of Islam" or "land of peace" where Islam will be devotedly practiced. Second, Darul Islam's doctrine is that all Muslims are infidels until they profess the word of testimony, i.e. there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger. This means that, for a Muslim, imitating the parents or being born as a Muslim does not suffice. Professing the testimony is considered as a prerequisite to migrate to "Darul Islam" along with a pledge to the leader.
Those who make the pledge and subsequently violate or revolt against it and denounce the organization, is considered to have become a repudiator of his faith.