Religious
Bridging Divides: Stakeholders Unite to Tackle Religious Intolerance in Nigeria
Abdulrahman Aliagan,
On January 25, 2025, religious leaders, journalists, scholars, and advocates gathered at the Hawthorn Hotel and Suites in Abuja to address one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges—religious intolerance. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
Mrs. Elizabeth Duile, who facilitated the introductions, welcomed the 11 attendees to the gathering. Mr. Samari’s opening remarks set the tone, emphasizing the urgent need to address religious intolerance—a crisis that has deepened divisions, fueled violence, and eroded trust across communities in Nigeria. He outlined six critical goals for the meeting, leadership engagement roles, lending voices to promote FoRB, policy formulation inclusive of FoRB principles, Interfaith collaboration, building trust across religious and ethnic divides, and peacebuilding initiatives.
“The essence of this meeting,” Mr. Samari remarked, “is to achieve peace and ensure that every Nigerian practices their religion and beliefs without fear of intimidation.”
Several speakers provided insights into the root causes and solutions to religious intolerance in Nigeria.
Dr. Suleiman Bagerei, a lecturer from Lapai University, delved into defining religious intolerance, underscoring the need to identify what constitutes such intolerance. He highlighted its damaging effects on societal cohesion.
Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan, journalist and National President of the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists, NGIJ traced the origins of religious divisions to colonial-era policies, particularly the indirect rule system. He criticized politicians for exploiting religious differences for political gain and reminisced about Nigeria’s harmonious past.
“In the 80s,” he said, “religious intolerance was almost nonexistent. We lived together, ate together, and played together, irrespective of our beliefs.”
Mal. Habeebu Ibrahim, a staff member of the National Mosque, spoke on the discrimination that pervades contemporary Nigeria, emphasizing how ignorance and stereotypes about other religions perpetuate mistrust.
He pointed out how religious symbols in estates, such as mosques or churches, often reflect the developer’s faith, furthering divisions.
Mrs. Rosita Chinyere addressed how ethnic identity intertwined with religion exacerbates conflicts over resources, land, and power. She emphasized the role of parents in teaching tolerance to children.
Dr. (Mrs) Inya Ode echoed this sentiment, highlighting the multiplier effect of positive family values on society.
Dr. Longi Danbok identified socioeconomic imbalances as a root cause of religious intolerance, arguing that poverty and unemployment create frustrations that extremists exploit.
Mr. Lisam Manji Lawan called out weak law enforcement and judicial processes, which allow perpetrators of religious violence to act with impunity. “Offenders should be treated as criminals,” he declared.
Barrister Rex Erameh, the Abuja Chapter’s Chairman of the Albino Foundation, citing Section 38 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, underscored the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. He stressed the need for policies that ensure equal treatment of all religious groups and uphold the constitutional prohibition of a state religion.
Mal. Alkasim Muhammed Zangina proposed a holistic approach to addressing religious intolerance, urging the political class to adopt strategic frameworks.
After robust deliberations, the participants reached a consensus on actionable steps to curb religious intolerance and promote freedom of religion and belief:
1. Promoting Interfaith Dialogue: Building understanding and respect through conversations among religious leaders and communities.
2. Educational Reform: Incorporating teachings on religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in school curricula.
3. Rule of Law: Ensuring justice for perpetrators of religious violence to deter future incidents.
4. Addressing Socioeconomic Inequalities: Reducing poverty and unemployment to mitigate frustration and prevent exploitation by extremists.
5. Media Sensitization: Leveraging media platforms to promote tolerance and discourage biased portrayals of religious groups.
6. Empowering Religious Leaders: Training leaders to preach unity and discourage divisive rhetoric.
7. Grassroots Engagement: Establishing community peace committees to mediate conflicts.
Additionally, measures to bolster FoRB included creating inclusive policies, celebrating diversity, and fostering international partnerships to support advocacy programs.
A key moment during the meeting was the screening of Unusual Partners, a documentary highlighting the impact of FoRB initiatives in Kaduna State. The film illustrated how interfaith collaboration can bridge divides and promote peace.
Mr. Felix Samari unveiled a proposal to establish the Nigerian Forum for Religious Freedom Advocacy (NicFORM). The platform will focus on awareness campaigns, legal advocacy, and fostering partnerships to strengthen FoRB in Nigeria.
The meeting concluded with a dinner, allowing participants to network and reflect on the discussions. The conveners and attendees expressed optimism that the strategies outlined would lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and tolerant Nigeria.
As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of religious intolerance, this Strategic Roundtable Meeting serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that dialogue, education, and collaboration are powerful tools for building a unified and prosperous society.
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News
Maolidu Nnabiy: Ashraf Islamic Foundation Highlights the Importance of Parenting and Child Education in Nigeria
By Abdulrahman Obaje
A thorough research by Ashraaf Islamic Foundation revealed an alarming statistics that there are currently 10.2 million out of school children at the primary school level, 8. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The reason the theme for the 7th Annual Maolidu Nnabiy lecture series 2024 (1446AH) of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation; a provoking theme that affect every household is, “Parenting and Child Education in Nigeria: Appraising the Plights of Orphans and Vulnerable Children”,
The theme was arrived at; according to Dr. Abdullahi Adam, the Director of programs, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation and a member of the organising committee of this year event, after an extensive research and efforts.
Dr. Abdullahi said, “It is our philosophy at Ashraaf Islamic Foundation to inquire into societal problem and see how we can bring solution to it .we concern ourselves to serving humanity because the mandate of Rosulu Lahi is universal. It is not to a single man, Rasul was sent to the entire universe.
“While we were deliberating on the topic about three months ago at the executive level, we actually did a thorough research to actually know how alarming this situation is in Nigeria.
“Believe you me, as of now we have 10.2 million out of school children at the primary school level, then we have 8.1 million out of junior secondary school level, we have 17.5 million of them that have already an orphan, we have 19million of them displaced in the North-east and; lastly we have 3,500 of them serving as child-soldiers in the north-east and other troubled areas we have in Nigeria.”
The event started-off with a keynote speech by Dr. Idris Muhammad Sanni saying that, “If we want to talk about good parenting, it all start with the way we select our wife. The issue of marriage is the beginning of parenting. Contrary to the happenings today. One would just see a lady, he will approach her, and the marriage will be contracted. Unknown to him that this institution is such an important institution that requires preliminary researches before contracting the marriage.
That you are going into a project that will give you children; a project that can either make or mar you”, Dr. Sanni continued.
Also, Imam (Dr) Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan, the Chairman/Founder, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation said the theme of this year edition of the maolidu nnabiy is an important one, “It is a theme that no family can do away with, it is a theme that no country can do away, and it is a discussion that no community can do away with. Of course, Islam cannot do away with this theme. That is one of the pillar of Islam monotheism, reason why we have put together our heads to come up with this beautiful topic”, while stressing the importance of this year event theme.
Dr. Aliagan said, “Boko Haram insurgency, pocket picking in the society, abduction, homo-sexuality and other vices that we have that is giving us barbaric and a kind of imbalance condition of environment are as a result of poor parenting. When you take care of your children very well, you have good result”
He continued that all the components that make up the theme
In a broad categorisation, Aliagan, further quickly enumerates religious education, western education and traditional education as the three types of education that every parent must instils into a child.
“Parenting can make you or mar you, it can build you or destroy you. It can make you the friend of Allah or enemy of Allah if you fails in your responsibility as a parent.”
“Child education is very important. It is the parent’s responsibility to give his or her children three categories of education.”
“You will all agree with me that as a Muslim, you will give them Islamic education, secondly western education and thirdly, traditional education.”
“These three category of education are important for child education.”, he said.
The panel discussants were Barrister Haliru Adamu representing Human Rights Commission, Deaconess Elizabeth Ekaette representing Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Alhaji Muhammed Wasse, National Orientaion Agency, NOA; Director of Women Affairs, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, Dr. Olajumoke Alake and Mr F. Akande.
Alhaji Muhammed wasse cautions that minors and domestic worker should be treated with compassion; revealing that a legislation that would penalised offender of domestic worker or minor is underway.
Deaconess Elizabeth Ekaette said that whatever we are going through in Nigeria right now is summarized in the theme of the Maolidu Nnabiy she said gathering skills in parenting is necessary in order to raise future leaders that would better the society. She wonders how we have arrived at this messy situation as parents now a days are over-protecting their children.
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Education
Three Types of Education You Must Give Your Child As a Muslim – Dr. Aliagan
By Abdulrahman Obaje
Imam (Dr) Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan, the Chairman/Founder, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation in a broad categorisation, has enumerates Islamic education, western education and traditional education as the three types of education that every parent must instils into his or her child. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Imam Aliagan emphasizes these child educations during the 7th Annual Maolidu Nnabiy lecture series 2024 (1446AH) of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation held in Abuja, Nigeria; with a provoking theme that affect every household is, “Parenting and Child Education in Nigeria: Appraising the Plights of Orphans and Vulnerable Children”,
He said, “Parenting can make you or mar you, it can build you or destroy you. It can make you the friend of Allah or enemy of Allah if you fails in your responsibility as a parent”
“Child education is very important. It is the parent’s responsibility to give his or her children three categories of education.”
“You will all agree with me that as a Muslim, you will give them Islamic education, secondly western education and thirdly, traditional education.”
“These three category of education are important for child education.”, he said.
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Religious
What Dr Aliagan said about Maolidu Nnabiy Celebration…
By Abdulrahman Obaje
Imam (Dr) Sharafudeen Abdulsalam Aliagan, the Chairman/Founder, Ashraaf Islamic Foundation said there is nothing wrong with maolidu nnabiy celebration.
Imam Aliagan reiterates this during the 7th Annual Maolidu Nnabiy lecture series 2024 (1446AH) of Ashraaf Islamic Foundation held in Abuja, Nigeria; with a provoking theme that affect every household is, “Parenting and Child Education in Nigeria: Appraising the Plights of Orphans and Vulnerable Children”,
“If anybody is condemning the maolid nnabiy, if you come around you would have a second thought if you are one of those that condemns it.
“Finally, so many things that were not observed by the holy Prophet Muhammad directly does not mean they are haram, atarku la yurna haram, because the prophet didn’t do certain thing directly does not make it haram.
“The quranic competition that we do locally, nationally, internationally even intercontinentally today has never been organised by the holy Prophet Muhammad.
“And the whole Muslim in the whole world believe in it, subscribe to it and the prophet had never observe it throughout his life, do we call it haram. Because he did not observe it so it’s haram?, no!”
“He celebrated himself, Rasulu Lahi celebrated himself in his own way. He may not have called people to come and celebrate him, so he wouldn’t have done that. Wa innaka la alaka ulku l azim. How could he have celebrated himself by himself when he told you that he prefer solatu-l-Ibrahimiya.”
“He would not have told you that he prefer solatu ibrahimiya, fa a li i min gayati tawa du i im, it is because he is extremely humble.” he concluded.
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