Northern Ulamahs have condemned what they described as “local and international propaganda falsely alleging genocide against Nigerian Christians, describing such claims as misleading and divisive”.
In a communique issued in Kaduna on Thursday, at the end of their “special summit on contemporary issues facing the Nigerian Muslims”, the Ulamahs said Muslims have also been disproportionately affected by insecurity.
The communique urged “patriotic Christians to speak truthfully about the situation to foster mutual understanding.”
The summit asked “the federal government to call on the Christian Associations of Nigeria (CAN) to come clean by repudiating
the falsehood.”
According to the communique “Muslims have been disproportionately affected by insecurity and urged patriotic Christians to speak truthfully about the situation to foster mutual understanding.
“The summit called on the federal government to call on the Christian Associations of Nigeria (CAN) to come clean by repudiating
the falsehood and called on the press on the need to upholds truth by for responsible reporting by the media and international partners to promote unity and accurate representation of facts.
“The Ulamah unequivocally condemned the ongoing genocide and brutal occupation in Gaza, describing it as a grave violation of humanity and international law.”
The summit however, “expressed unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and commended the federal Government of Nigeria for its steadfast support for Palestine, as demonstrated at the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA)”.
The Ulamahs “recalled the federal government’s position in standing for justice and freedom in our foreign policy and urged Muslims to sustain advocacy, prayers, and humanitarian support for the Palestinian cause.”
The communique expressed deep concern over the misuse of social media to propagate hatred, division, and misinformation.
The Ulamah called on “Muslims,
particularly preachers, youth, and influencers, to leverage social media platforms responsibly to disseminate knowledge, uphold moral values, and foster unity in accordance with Islamic teachings, while refraining from spreading falsehood or divisive content”.
“The Ulamah strongly condemned orchestrated efforts by certain elements to incite discord between the Hausa and the Fulani communities.
“They emphasised the deep-rooted bonds of faith, intermarriage, culture, and history that unite these groups, declaring them indivisible. “The summit urged Muslims to reject divisive narratives and work collectively to promote regional harmony and national
stability”, the communique said.
The summit also expressed grave concern over persistent insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.
The Ulamah urged relevant authorities to deploy all lawful measures to decisively address these threats.
They reiterated their readiness to collaborate with government and
security agencies through peace advocacy, moral reorientation, and community mediation to restore security and stability.
The Ulamah highlighted the severe economic challenges facing Nigerians, including inflation, unemployment, and widespread hardship and called on all
levels of government to implement urgent, effective, and sustainable measures to the alleviate suffering, create employment opportunities, and ensure equitable resource distribution to restore hope and improve the welfare of the masses.
The communique was signed by Bashir Umar of the Supreme Council For Sharia In Nigeria (SCNN), Sheikh Khalid Aliyu of the Jama’at Nasril Islam (JNI), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau of Izala Headquarters, Abuja, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar and Sheikh Nasir Abdulmulyi of JIBWIS Jos, among others.
