Jingir: Interfaith media guild warns against inflammatory rhetoric

The Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria) has called for restraint and responsible religious preaching following remarks attributed to Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, concerning Christians.

The guild described the reported remarks as unfortunate and provocative, warning that inflammatory religious statements could heighten mistrust and undermine peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s religious communities.

The chairman of GIMP-Nigeria, Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, in a statement, said Nigeria could not afford a worsening religious war of words at a time the country was battling insecurity, poverty, unemployment and social fragmentation.

Abdulmalik said Islamic history contained important examples of peaceful engagement between Muslims and Christians, citing the relationship between Prophet Muhammad and the Christian ruler of Abyssinia, the Negus, who provided refuge to persecuted early Muslims.
He also pointed to the prophet’s engagement with Christian visitors in Madinah as evidence that religious differences did not preclude dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

“Islam must not be judged by the irresponsible words of any individual, just as Christianity must not be judged by the misconduct of any Christian,” he said.

The guild urged Islamic scholars and organisations, including the Izala Society, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA), and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), to provide appropriate scholarly clarification whenever statements attributed to religious figures appear inconsistent with Islamic principles of justice and peaceful coexistence.
It also called on relevant authorities to investigate allegations of incitement through due process, adding that no religious leader or public figure should be above the law.

However, the organisation cautioned against using law enforcement or religious controversies as instruments of political persecution or electoral mobilisation.