By Uzair Adam
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed claims that there is a plan to Islamise Nigeria, describing such narratives as divisive and unrealistic.
Speaking on Wednesday at the meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in Abuja, the monarch said Muslims have no agenda to undermine Christians, stressing that both religions coexist for a divine purpose.
He reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, noting that NIREC remains a critical platform for fostering understanding between faiths.
According to him, engagement rather than conflict is the only path to national peace.
“We believe talking is better than fighting. Let us understand our differences rather than trying to ignore them. I am a Muslim, you are a Christian, and we must live together with mutual respect,” he said.
The Sultan, who also serves as Co-Chairman of NIREC, highlighted his long-standing commitment to interfaith dialogue, noting that he has consistently attended council meetings over the past two decades.
On religious literacy, he warned against the growing influence of unqualified clerics, cautioning that fluency in Arabic does not automatically confer Islamic scholarship, just as some Christian preachers in the Middle East also use the language.
He urged religious leaders to deepen their knowledge in order to guide followers responsibly and prevent the misuse of religion for personal or political purposes.
Addressing insecurity, the Sultan rejected the profiling of criminals along religious lines, insisting that bandits and terrorists should not be associated with Islam.
He maintained that anyone who kills in the name of religion acts against its teachings.
He further lamented that many victims of banditry and terrorism in northern Nigeria are Muslims, underscoring the need to confront the issue without religious bias.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, he called for stronger trust between religious leaders and their followers, warning that national development would remain difficult without it.
He also commended NIREC’s collaboration with international partners, referencing recent interfaith engagements in London involving the Archbishop of Canterbury and Islamic scholars aimed at addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
The Sultan expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support and encouraged council members to remain committed to promoting unity and peace across the country.
