Muslim Leaders Call For Justice, Tolerance To Foster Lasting Peace

Muslim leaders have urged Nigerians to embrace tolerance, fairness and justice irrespective of religion, ethnicity or race, describing the values as essential for achieving lasting peace and national unity.

The call was made during the 60th Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, which was attended virtually by members of the Ahmadiyya community in Ojokoro, Lagos, under the leadership of the Deputy Amir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole.

Addressing participants, Bankole said the annual gathering, which brought together Ahmadi Muslims from more than 200 countries, demonstrated the power of peaceful coexistence despite differences in nationality, culture and faith.

He said the event’s central message was the promotion of peace through mutual respect and understanding.

“What Nigerians should take away from this year’s event is the call for peace. The fact that people from over 200 countries can gather in one place sends a clear message that we must advocate for peace worldwide,” Bankole said.

“We have Nigerians, Pakistanis, Europeans and people of every background present. Irrespective of tribe, religion or faith, we come together and worship as one. It teaches us tolerance. We have to tolerate one another and preach peace and justice. That is the core message of coming together.”

Bankole acknowledged the security and economic challenges facing Nigeria, but stressed that justice remained the foundation upon which sustainable peace could be built.

He urged both government and citizens to uphold fairness in all dealings, insisting that peace could not thrive in the absence of justice.

“If we want peace, there must be justice. Without justice, peace is hardly attainable,” he said.

“Our leaders must be just in everything they do. This is vital to achieving peace in any nation. Once justice is established, peace will naturally reign in the country. Those are the two fundamental pillars: justice and peace.”

Bankole also reaffirmed the commitment of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria to strengthening its Islamic outreach through its Dawah activities.

He noted that the organisation would continue to utilise MTA International to spread what he described as the true and peaceful teachings of Islam to audiences across the world.