Interfaith Unity: NSCIA, Catholic call for peace, shun hate speech, fake news

A call has been made to all religious and faith communities to work together to combat hate speech, for peaceful coexistence in the society.

The call was made at a meeting between the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, in Abuja, on Monday.

Gallagher, an important and key personality from the Vatican, heads the office that coordinates diplomatic relationships and international linkages at the Vatican.

The leaders expressed concerns, where some individuals openly insult religious leaders who are highly respected within their various faith communities and ordinary individuals, who equally deserve respect, stressing the need to check the disturbing trend and ensure that people refrain.

They lamented that hate speech has been most injurious to peaceful coexistence in the country, also bemoaning that it has resulted in “perceptual and relational crises among faith communities in Nigeria”.

The two religious leaders also identified fake news as another evil being used to orchestrate trouble in the country, calling for a collective effort to nip them in the bud.

The NSCIA President who was represented by the body’s Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu praised the Catholic community, especially in Nigeria, for being very cooperative and highly committed to peaceful coexistence in the country. 

The meeting also raised concerns about the global moral perversion, specifying that it was the duty of religious leaders to wage war against the growing rejection of God among young people, within the Muslim and Christian communities

The Sultan of Sokoto also acknowledged the denomination’s willingness to work together with him through various interfaith organisations and activities to ensure that peace and security are promoted in Nigeria.

The Eagleonline reports that Gallagher came with an entourage that included visitors from the Vatican, as well as leaders of the Catholic community in Nigeria.

The essence of the visit was to promote mutual understanding and emphasise the need for cooperation across religious and faith communities in promoting peace and peaceful coexistence.

This is while working towards maintaining and improving the security situation, not only in Nigeria but across the world.