The Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society has appealed to the federal government to take into consideration the feelings and religious dictates of people of faith in its continued efforts to financially empower Nigerians.

Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, chief missioner of NASFAT, made the appeal in a statement on Monday.

Mr Onike’s appeal was made against the backdrop of a statement by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, directing the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit to disburse a ₦250 billion credit support for smallholder farmers at a single-digit interest rate.

The vice-president had directed the PFSCU to develop an implementation roadmap for the disbursement of funds during the sixth meeting of the PFSCU Steering Committee, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to him, it was necessary to avoid further delays and ensure that the target beneficiaries of the initiative were reached. However, reacting to the development, Mr Onike said that both Islam and Christianity strongly disapprove of interest-based loans.

The chief missioner listed the negative consequences of interest to include exploitation, inequality, unjust wealth distribution, an unsustainable economy, deterrence to production, and the undermining of social harmony.

He, therefore, instructed the relevant government agencies to convene a stakeholder forum promptly, where religious leaders could offer ethically sound advice.

The cleric also commended the Tinubu-led administration for its efforts to alleviate the suffering of the citizenry.

(NAN)