The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Justin Welby, have called for stronger interfaith cooperation and concerted action against hate speech and fake news threatening peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
The two prominent religious leaders made the call on Saturday in Sokoto when Welby paid a visit to the Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
The meeting focused on religious harmony, national unity, security and the need for sustained dialogue among people of different faiths.
The Sultan expressed concern over the growing circulation of hate speech, saying it had contributed to mistrust and what he described as “perceptual crises” among religious communities in the country.
Abubakar said religious leaders and faith-based organisations must take greater responsibility for discouraging hatred and abusive comments capable of deepening divisions.
He said, “To a large extent, hate speech has been most injurious to peaceful coexistence in the country. It has created what may be described as perceptual crises among faith communities in Nigeria.
“Therefore, there is a need for a strong call on religious and faith communities to work towards checking all forms of hatred, especially the growing and unfortunate phenomenon whereby some individuals openly insult religious leaders who are highly respected in communities.”
The Sultan also urged Nigerians to desist from insulting religious leaders and ordinary citizens, stressing that respect for others was essential to peaceful coexistence.
He reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with religious and interfaith organisations to strengthen peace and security in Nigeria and beyond.
The Sultan commended the Anglican Communion, particularly its Nigerian chapter, for its cooperation and efforts towards promoting peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.
In his remarks, Welby said his visit was aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between religious communities.
The former Archbishop also identified fake news and hate speech as major threats to peace, urging religious leaders to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of misinformation capable of triggering tension and conflict.
He said the meeting offered an opportunity to discuss issues of common interest, particularly peace, religious understanding, unity and cooperation.
Welby added that interfaith engagement remained important in confronting social and moral challenges confronting communities globally.
He said religious leaders and faith workers had a responsibility to address what he described as moral degeneration and other social challenges.
“We are witnessing a great deal of moral degeneration and moral perversion globally, and it is the duty of religious leaders and faith workers to ensure that these challenges are confronted,” he said.
He added, “It is something that we must collectively confront.”
Both leaders pledged continued cooperation towards tackling religious disharmony and strengthening peaceful relations among Nigerians of different faiths.
Also speaking, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammadu Mera, described the meeting as significant in efforts to address lingering differences among religious leaders and followers.
Mera urged religious and traditional leaders to strengthen peaceful coexistence through sustained dialogue and wider consultations.
The meeting was attended by the Galadiman Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru; District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabir Alhassan; Sokoto State Commissioners for Religious Affairs and Higher Education, Dr Jabir Maihula and Prof. Isah Maishanu.
Others at the meeting included Prof. Mansur Sa’id, Malam Hussain Mabera, President of the Shari’ah Council of Nigeria, Prof. Bashir Aduku, Rev. Adeojo Michael, Evangelist Steven Ekudebuko and Mr Benson Nnamdi.
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