Niger Religious Affairs Bureau Sensitises Religious Leaders, Media on Peace and Responsible Preaching

  By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs has organised an awareness meeting for leaders of religious organisa...

 

By Awwal Umar Kontagora

The Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs has organised an awareness meeting for leaders of religious organisations and media representatives to promote peace and discourage the use of inflammatory language or interpretations capable of causing conflict within communities.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Director-General of the Bureau, Dr. Umar Farooq Abdallah, said the engagement focused on the report of the Shura Committee established by the state government to guide religious interpretations during this year’s Ramadan fast.

According to him, the Shura Committee recommended measures to prevent Islamic scholars conducting Ramadan Tafsir from using offensive or abusive language against others, as well as cautioning the media against amplifying inappropriate messages.

“The committee emphasised that scholars who conduct Tafsir should rely on well-established classical books of interpretation, as this helps ensure accuracy and prevents misrepresentation of Qur’anic verses,” Dr. Abdallah said.

He explained that discussions also centred on how religious interpreters can promote unity and peaceful coexistence rather than division, urging scholars to set aside ideological differences in the interest of communal harmony.

“Our government does not judge anyone’s belief except by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Differences should be addressed through knowledge and dialogue, not through insults or provocative language,” he added.

On Ramadan feeding programmes, Dr. Abdallah said the state government would return to the previous system of distributing food items through recognised religious organisations and centres.

He noted that due to the rising cost of living and increasing food prices, the government is committed to ensuring that support reaches vulnerable communities effectively during the fasting period.

The Director-General also drew attention to ongoing security challenges in some parts of the state, urging religious groups to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities by taking prompt preventive measures.

He assured participants that all recommendations of the Shura Committee would be implemented, adding that additional committees would be established to oversee compliance and manage related activities.

Dr. Abdallah further advised religious organisations to block any avenue that could allow the spread of misleading or inappropriate interpretations, stressing the need for internal mechanisms to screen and evaluate scholars who conduct Ramadan Tafsir under their platforms.

He said Niger State requires peace, unity, and responsible religious leadership, urging scholars to discharge their duties without promoting division or personal interests.

Religious organisations that participated in the meeting included Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Izala, Tijjaniyya, and the Huffazul Qur’an and Scholars Association of Nigeria, among others.

Speaking on behalf of participants, the State Chairman of the Huffazul Qur’an Association, Gwani Hussaini Abubakar Shakwata, commended the Bureau for its efforts in fostering unity among the Muslim Ummah in the state.

He noted that most of the participating organisations had already embraced similar measures, describing the initiative as timely and effective in promoting peaceful coexistence.