…Says Kukah’s remarks “unfair, insensitive”
…Vatican dismiss faith-based narratives
A rare convergence of voices from both Islamic and Christian leaders has challenged growing claims that Nigeria’s persistent violence is driven by religion, calling instead for a deeper look into the nation’s social and political realities.
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has condemned recent comments by Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, which linked the implementation of Shari’ah law in northern Nigeria to rising violence.
The Council described Kukah’s remarks as “unfair and insensitive”, insisting they misrepresent the history and purpose of Islamic law.
In an issued statement signed by its secretary, Engr. AbdurRahman Hassan, the SCSN said Shari’ah “is not a political weapon but a reflection of faith, tradition, and moral discipline deeply rooted in the lives of millions of Muslims”.
Hassan stressed that the roots of violence in northern Nigeria lie not in religion but in “corruption, poor governance, and social inequality.” He added that it was “unfair to demonize a system that millions follow peacefully”, warning that dismissing Shari’ah undermines coexistence and mutual respect among Nigerians.
Similarly, in Rome, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, also downplayed claims that Nigeria’s security challenges amount to a “Christian genocide”, emphasising that “many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims” of extremist violence.
Speaking at the presentation of a report on religious freedom by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Parolin said the attacks “stem from social causes”, such as farmer-herder clashes, and not a religious war. “These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals. They use violence against anyone they see as an opponent”, he said.
At a separate event in the UK parliament, Bishop John Bakeni, of the Maiduguri Diocese, acknowledged that some attacks have religious overtones but maintained that deeper issues – including poverty, climate change, and land disputes – are at the heart of Nigeria’s insecurity.
Their comments echo the Nigerian government’s position that the violence has been mis-characterised internationally. Recall that following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Rome, the senior adviser to former U.S. President Donald Trump for Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, said “terrorists are killing more Muslims than Christians” in Nigeria, describing the situation as a national security crisis rather than a religious one.
Both the Shari’ah Council and the Vatican leaders urged religious figures to act as agents of peace rather than division. “No responsible Muslim scholar attacks Canon Law; likewise, no Christian cleric should insult Shari’ah”, Hassan said, calling for restraint and mutual respect.
As Parolin concluded, the challenge before Nigeria is not a clash of faiths, but of justice, governance, and humanity — a call echoed across both mosques and cathedrals for peace, fairness, and unity.
