Ahead of the commencement of the annual Muslim fast (Ramadan), Muslim preachers have been cautioned against abusive and provocative sermons that can lead to religious conflict in the country.

The preachers and presenters of Islamic programmes on electronic and social media were also asked to eschew attacks on personalities through their programmes.

The national coordinator of the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), Alh Ibrahim Abdullahi, gave the counselling during a pre-Ramadan enlightenment programme organised for the Muslim preachers by his group and the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Abdullahi, who urged the preachers to exercise restraints in their presentations, harped on the need for them to acquire sound knowledge before delivering sermons.

"A situation whereby half-baked preachers target preaching on radio, television and Facebook to arouse the passion of people must be discouraged. Rather, the acquisition of sound Islamic knowledge must serve as the basis for preaching on the electronic media.

"Also, we shall always discourage and raise eyebrows to abusive and provocative sermons that could lead to religious conflict, including detrimental sermon that attack some personalities for whatever reason whatsoever" he added.

The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Badmus Yusuf, urged Muslim preachers to do extensive research before delivering sermons on any issue in order not to mislead the public.

He urged the state government to discourage its radio and television stations from charging fees on religious programmes.

Yusuf praised the organisers of the programme for their foresight and commitment to a peaceful society through the propagation of the true ideals of Islam.