Ayomide Awe
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, on Monday called for stronger collaboration between Muslim and Christian leaders to combat hate speech, fake news and other threats to peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
The religious leaders made the call during a meeting at the National Mosque, Abuja, where the Sultan received Archbishop Gallagher, who led a Papal delegation comprising Vatican officials and senior leaders of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.
They stressed that sustained interfaith cooperation was crucial to promoting national unity, strengthening moral values and addressing growing social divisions.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the visit was aimed at deepening mutual understanding and expanding collaboration between Muslims and Christians in promoting peace, security and harmonious coexistence in Nigeria and beyond.
Welcoming the delegation, the Sultan commended the Catholic Church in Nigeria for its commitment to interfaith dialogue, describing the long-standing relationship between both faiths as indispensable to national stability and cohesion.
Speaking after the closed-door meeting, Archbishop Gallagher said discussions with the Sultan revealed a shared commitment by both religious communities to work together in the interest of all Nigerians.
He said, “The visit has been very, very good. I was delighted to be invited by His Eminence, the Sultan.
“We had a very frank and illuminating conversation, and it was good to hear that many of our positions regarding the role of religious leaders, both on the Catholic side and the Muslim side, coincide.
“For me, this is a reason for optimism regarding the religious cohesion of the country and our shared commitment to working for the good of all Nigerians.
“There is a common view and a common conviction that Christians and Muslims, particularly their leaders, must work together for the common good of all Nigerians.”
Shehu disclosed that discussions also focused on the growing challenge posed by hate speech, misinformation, declining moral values and the increasing rejection of religion among young people.
He said participants identified hate speech as one of the greatest threats to religious harmony, warning that inflammatory comments and public insults directed at respected religious leaders were fuelling distrust and widening divisions across faith communities.
“They strongly emphasised the need for all religious and faith communities to work together to combat hate speech, especially the growing trend of publicly insulting respected religious leaders,” Shehu stated.
The meeting also urged Nigerians to uphold mutual respect irrespective of religious affiliation or social status.
On fake news, the leaders warned that the spread of misinformation had become a dangerous trigger for violence and instability, stressing the need for collective efforts to curb its impact.
They further expressed concern over what they described as worsening moral decline across the world and called on religious leaders to intensify efforts at promoting ethical values, responsible conduct and sound moral upbringing within their communities.
The leaders also expressed concern over the growing disinterest in religion among young people in both Christian and Muslim communities, urging faith leaders to strengthen engagement with youths through moral guidance and value-based teachings.
Among those who accompanied the Vatican envoy were the Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah.
Other Muslim leaders at the meeting included the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera, and senior officials of the NSCIA.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both the NSCIA and the Catholic Church to strengthening interfaith relations and advancing peace, unity and social harmony in Nigeria.
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