https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250315/nigerian-cleric-calls-for-religious-tolerance-citing-russian-national-unity-as-model-1071088163.html
Nigerian Cleric Calls for Religious Tolerance, Citing Russian National Unity as Model
Nigerian Cleric Calls for Religious Tolerance, Citing Russian National Unity as Model
Sputnik Africa
The scholar's remarks come as the world marks the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, a day designated by the United Nations to raise awareness about... 15.03.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-03-15T09:33+0100
2025-03-15T09:33+0100
2025-03-17T12:00+0100
opinion
gaza
nigeria
russia
religion
islam
peace
society
social
africa insight
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e8/0a/16/1068808160_0:160:3071:1887_1920x0_80_0_0_8201cd8d3bc9bd72e93767e37f7e2c63.jpg
On the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid, Chairman of the Islamic Research and Daawa Foundation in Nigeria, highlighted Russia as a model for nations, including Nigeria, to emulate in fostering unity and achieving national goals.He further explained that a strong sense of national interest encourages citizens to work together toward common goals, regardless of their religious or cultural backgrounds. “Look at how Russia has been so powerful in the world because it does not take religion as one of the things that will hinder their national interests,” he said.For Nigeria, a country with a diverse religious landscape often marked by tensions, Sheikh Khalid stressed the need to harness religion as a force for unity rather than division.Gaza CrisisThe Islamic scholar also delivered a powerful critique of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, accusing global powers of politicizing the crisis and failing to protect innocent lives. He called for a shift in narratives to prioritize peace and justice over political interests. He expressed deep concern over the world’s inaction in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.Furthermore, he lamented the loss of innocent lives, emphasizing that such atrocities have no place in a civilized world. “Those innocent souls are mazing day in, day out, and are not supposed, in a civilized world, to be killed,” he stated. “We are destroying [what will come] and rebuilding again. Now we are talking of rebuilding Gaza. But in the first place, why did we fail to protect it if we really needed it?”
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230725/new-quran-burnings-algeria-summons-envoys-of-sweden-and-denmark-1060757763.html
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240507/oic-summit-calls-for-solidarity-and-action-on-palestine-interfaith-dialogue-and-global-peace-1066415848.html
gaza
nigeria
russia
west africa
middle east
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2025
Muhammad Nooh Osman
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/04/0a/1058467512_0:0:1280:1280_100x100_80_0_0_ec723833bcbfcaed2e21952965ad99e4.jpg
Muhammad Nooh Osman
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/04/0a/1058467512_0:0:1280:1280_100x100_80_0_0_ec723833bcbfcaed2e21952965ad99e4.jpg
News
en_EN
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Muhammad Nooh Osman
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/04/0a/1058467512_0:0:1280:1280_100x100_80_0_0_ec723833bcbfcaed2e21952965ad99e4.jpg
gaza, nigeria, russia, religion, islam, peace, society, social, africa insight, africa in details, west africa, middle east
gaza, nigeria, russia, religion, islam, peace, society, social, africa insight, africa in details, west africa, middle east
Nigerian Cleric Calls for Religious Tolerance, Citing Russian National Unity as Model
09:33 15.03.2025 (Updated: 12:00 17.03.2025) Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
The scholar's remarks come as the world marks the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, a day designated by the United Nations to raise awareness about anti-Muslim hatred and promote interfaith understanding.
On the occasion of the International Day to Combat
Islamophobia,
Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid, Chairman of the Islamic Research and Daawa Foundation in Nigeria, highlighted Russia as a model for nations, including Nigeria, to emulate in fostering unity and achieving national goals.
“The first lesson we learn from them is cohesion, social cohesion, and national interest. When we have a high degree of social cohesion, we'll understand that no matter what fate you have, I need you as a neighbor. And I have to do something to make you close to me,” he told Sputnik Africa.
He further explained that a strong sense of
national interest encourages citizens to work together toward common goals, regardless of their religious or cultural backgrounds.
“Look at how Russia has been so powerful in the world because it does not take religion as one of the things that will hinder their national interests,” he said.
For Nigeria, a country with a diverse religious landscape often marked by tensions, Sheikh Khalid stressed the need to harness religion as a force for unity rather than division.
“If we want to build our nation socially, economically, and politically, we need to use religion. Not set it aside, but use it. All the religions must preach tolerance, must preach peace, and promote social cohesion,” he asserted.
The Islamic scholar also delivered a powerful critique of the ongoing
conflict in Gaza, accusing global powers of politicizing the crisis and failing to protect innocent lives. He called for a shift in narratives to prioritize peace and justice over political interests. He expressed deep concern over the world’s inaction in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
“There are some political elements that are moving the steering and pumping the issues, adding more fuel to the situation, and taking one side of the parties that are involved,” he told Sputnik Africa. “If not, how could the world fold arms watching what is happening in Gaza?”
Furthermore, he lamented the loss of innocent lives, emphasizing that such atrocities have no place in a civilized world. “Those innocent souls are mazing day in, day out, and are not supposed, in a civilized world, to be killed,” he stated. “We are destroying [what will come] and rebuilding again. Now we are talking of rebuilding Gaza. But in the first place, why did we fail to protect it if we really needed it?”
“Why do we prepare to destroy a very important and strategic area of the Middle East, just to protect some [other] people's interests? And that interest, whether we like it or not, is politically motivated,” the Islamic scholar asserted, calling for a fundamental change in how global leaders approach conflicts and urging them to “prioritize humanity over politics.”
