Sultan, Vatican united against hate speech and fake news

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Vatican on Monday called for stronger collaboration to combat hate speech and fake news, warning that both have become serious threats to peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

The appeal follows a closed-door meeting between the Sultan and Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, secretary for relations with states and international organizations of the Holy See, at the headquarters of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Abuja.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, NSCIA Deputy Secretary General Professor Salisu Shehu said the discussions were focused on promoting mutual understanding between Muslim and Christian communities and strengthening cooperation to promote peace and security.

Shehu said the Sultan said hate speech had inflicted grave damage on peaceful coexistence, creating what he described as perceptual and relational crises among faith communities.

He said both leaders agreed that religious organizations must work together to curb the growing trend of hate speech, especially the growing insults directed at respected religious leaders.

“There has been a strong call for all religious and faith communities to work together to combat hate speech, particularly the growing and unfortunate phenomenon whereby some individuals openly insult religious leaders who are highly respected within their various faith communities,” he said.

He added that the meeting also identified fake news as another dangerous challenge capable of fueling unrest and instability, urging Nigerians to collectively address the menace.

Discussions also focused on growing moral degeneration around the world, with both sides calling on religious leaders to step up efforts to promote moral values ​​and guide younger generations.

Shehu further said that concerns have been raised over the growing rejection of religion among young people, adding that Muslim and Christian leaders have a responsibility to address this trend through sustained engagement.

Speaking after the meeting, Archbishop Gallagher described the discussions as frank and enlightening, saying he was encouraged by the shared commitment of both faiths to national unity and peaceful coexistence.