Sultan urges Christians, Muslims to stop insults, embrace religious tolerance

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Christians and Muslims in Nigeria to stop insulting one another, stressing that religious tolerance is essential to peaceful coexistence.

The Sultan spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the International Conference on National Security for Socio-economic Development, organised by Jama’atu Izalatil Bidiah wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS Nigeria) in collaboration with the Muslim World League of Saudi Arabia.

“We must be honest with ourselves that Christians can stop insulting Muslims. Muslims can stop insulting Christians. And that’s how we live in peace,” he said.

The monarch said neither Muslims nor Christians should consider themselves superior to one another, noting that all people are equal before God.

“We are not here to say we are better than anybody. We are not better than anybody. He [God] is the creator of us all. He will determine who is better. And he knows how to do it. So I am not here to say I am better than anybody,” he said.

The Sultan’s remarks came days after Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, sparked controversy with comments concerning religious balance and the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

Although the Sultan did not directly reference Jingir’s remarks, he reiterated that no religious group should regard itself as superior to another.

“We are not here to say we are better than anybody. We are not better than anybody,” he said.

Sultan Calls for Respect Among Neighbours

The traditional ruler also urged Nigerians to revive the culture of looking after their neighbours, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.

“Allah created your neighbour for you. Whoever is your neighbour, you know what is required of you to do for your neighbour,” he said.

The Sultan expressed concern over the growing abuse on social media, accusing some Nigerians of making false and disparaging statements about political leaders.

He warned that people who knowingly spread falsehoods about presidents, governors, senators and other public officials would ultimately be accountable to God for their actions.

The monarch also urged Nigerians to focus on addressing the country’s challenges rather than advocating its disintegration.

He cited the example of the late Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who sheltered more than 200 Christians in his mosque during a crisis in Plateau State, describing the act as an example of humanity that should not be forgotten.

NIREC Calls for Religious Cooperation

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Cornelius Omonokhua, said people were not created as Muslims or Christians but as human beings.

Omonokhua said the council had demonstrated the essence of religion, which he identified as mercy.

He added that the cooperation between Christian and Muslim leaders showed that the two faiths were not at war with each other.

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