Says Hate Speech and Division Undermine National Peace
By Pelumi Adedayo,Veritas News Hub Correspondent
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, *His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III*, on Wednesday received a delegation from the Vatican in Abuja and warned that religious intolerance and hate speech are among the greatest threats to Nigeria’s unity.
The Vatican delegation, led by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, was on a courtesy visit to the Sultan’s palace in Abuja to strengthen interfaith dialogue and promote peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the country.
Speaking during the meeting, the Sultan said Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a strength, not a weakness. He noted that the country cannot achieve meaningful development if citizens continue to allow religious differences to fuel division.
“Religious intolerance and hate speech are like a cancer that is eating deep into the fabric of our unity,” the Sultan said. “We must all rise, as leaders and followers, to condemn it in all its forms. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must protect it together.”
He commended the Catholic Church and the Vatican for their continued commitment to peacebuilding, humanitarian work, and dialogue in Nigeria. He added that the relationship between Islam and Christianity in the country has, for the most part, been defined by mutual respect, and that must be sustained.
The Sultan further called on religious leaders at all levels to use their platforms to preach tolerance, understanding, and love instead of messages that incite division. He urged the media and social media users to be cautious in how they share information that could inflame religious or ethnic tensions.
In his remarks, the Apostolic Nuncio conveyed the goodwill message of Pope Francis to the Muslim community in Nigeria. He said the Vatican remains committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, education, and interreligious cooperation in Nigeria.
The Nuncio noted that Nigeria plays a critical role in Africa and that peaceful relations between faiths in the country will have a positive impact across the continent.
He praised the Sultan for his consistent advocacy for unity and for speaking out against extremism and violence carried out in the name of religion.
Both leaders agreed on the need to deepen collaboration between the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Catholic Church to address issues of poverty, education, and youth radicalization.
The meeting ended with prayers for peace, security, and prosperity in Nigeria.
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