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Ayomide Awe
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, called on Monday 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 appeal during a meeting at the National Mosque in Abuja, where the Sultan received Archbishop Gallagher, who led a papal delegation made up of Vatican officials and senior leaders of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.
They stressed that sustained interreligious cooperation is crucial to promoting national unity, strengthening moral values and addressing growing social divisions.
According to a statement released by the Deputy Secretary General of NSCIA, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the visit was aimed at deepening mutual understanding and broadening collaboration between Muslims and Christians in promoting peace, security and harmonious coexistence in Nigeria and beyond.
Welcoming the delegation, the Sultan praised the Catholic Church in Nigeria for its commitment to inter-religious dialogue, describing the long-standing relationship between the two faiths as indispensable for stability and national 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 interests of all Nigerians.
He said: “The visit was very, very positive. I was happy to be invited by His Eminence the Sultan.
“We had a very candid and enlightening conversation, and it was nice to hear that many of our positions regarding the role of religious leaders, both on the Catholic and Muslim sides, coincide.
“For me, this is cause for optimism about the country’s religious cohesion and our shared commitment to working for the good of all Nigerians.
“There is a common vision and a common belief that Christians and Muslims, especially their leaders, must work together for the common good of all Nigerians.”
Shehu revealed that the discussions also focused on the growing challenge posed by hate speech, misinformation, declining moral values and growing rejection of religion among young people.
It said participants identified hate speech as one of the biggest threats to religious harmony, warning that inflammatory comments and public insults directed at respected religious leaders are fueling mistrust and widening divisions between faith communities.
“They strongly underlined the need for all religious and faith communities to work together to combat hate speech, particularly the growing tendency to publicly insult respected religious leaders,” Shehu said.
The meeting also urged Nigerians to uphold mutual respect regardless of religious affiliation or social status.
On fake news, leaders warned that the spread of disinformation has become a dangerous trigger of violence and instability, underlining the need for collective efforts to curb its impact.
They also expressed concern about what they described as worsening moral decline around the world and called on religious leaders to step up efforts to promote ethical values, responsible conduct and sound moral education within their communities.
The leaders also expressed concern about the growing disinterest in religion among young people in both Christian and Muslim communities, urging religious leaders to strengthen engagement with young people through moral guidance and values-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, Mgr. Matthew Kukah.
Other Muslim leaders present 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 inter-religious relations and promoting peace, unity and social harmony in Nigeria.
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