No true Muslim will allow extremism, says Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has cautioned Nigerians against twisting religious scriptures, insisting that genuine adherents of Islam do not subscribe to extremism.

Speaking at a national dialogue themed “A whole-of-society approach to the prevention of violence and conflict in Northern Nigeria,” the Sultan urged citizens to prioritise dialogue, mutual respect and an appreciation of Nigeria’s religious diversity.

“There is no conflict between Islam and Christianity. The problem is not religion; it is individuals. If each person follows the teachings of their faith sincerely, peace is possible,” he said.

Drawing from his military background and experiences in the Middle East, he denounced attempts to justify violence through misinterpretation of doctrine.

“A true Muslim cannot be an extremist. Any text that is twisted to justify violence is a distortion of our faith,” he said.

He stressed that continuous communication, education and community engagement remain critical to building lasting peace.

“We must continue to talk, to learn and to listen. Only through truth, humility and mutual understanding can we build a Nigeria that is peaceful, prosperous and united,” he said.

The Sultan also applauded the National Peace Committee for sustaining nationwide conversations aimed at promoting unity beyond electoral periods.

The dialogue was convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC), The Kukah Centre and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).