Sultan Urges Muslims To Unite, Protect Religious Freedom At NSCIA General Assembly

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerian Muslims to unite, uphold their faith and protect the right of Muslims to practise Islam without hindrance.

The Sultan spoke on Thursday at the NSCIA General Assembly held at the Conference Room of the National Mosque, Abuja, describing the gathering as a significant one coming about seven years after the council’s last General Assembly.

He thanked Almighty Allah for bringing Muslim leaders from different parts of the country together, saying the assembly provided an opportunity for members of the Muslim community to share ideas and strengthen their bonds as “one big family of Islam”.

According to him, although the council had continued to hold expanded General Purpose Committee meetings during the period, there were certain decisions and engagements that could only be undertaken through a properly convened General Assembly.

“All of you are aware why we didn’t hold General Assembly for some few years. But we’ve been holding expanded General Purpose Committee meetings,” he said.

The Sultan explained that the prolonged absence of the General Assembly was partly due to financial constraints, noting that the council had sought assistance to enable it to continue carrying out its responsibilities to the Muslim Ummah across the country.

He said the assembly was particularly important given the prevailing challenges facing Nigeria and the wider world, urging Muslim leaders to remain attentive and conscious of their responsibilities.

“It is coming at a time when we should be attentive, we should be a little more conscious because we all know the situation in the country, the situation in the world, and we Muslims have a lot of roles to play,” he said.

The Sultan stressed that Muslims should not remain passive when issues affecting their faith and welfare arise, urging them to engage constructively in protecting their religious interests.

He, however, emphasised that Islam does not advocate coercion in matters of faith, saying Muslims do not seek to force anyone to embrace the religion.

“What we need in this country and anywhere else is for us, as Muslims, to be allowed to practise our religion without hindrance,” he said.

“We do not intend to force anybody to join Islam. But we have seen how many people have been joining Islam on their own free will because Almighty Allah said there is no compulsion in religion.”

He said Muslims had a responsibility to support and protect those who voluntarily embraced Islam and help them live according to their faith.

The Sultan also called on Muslims to demonstrate humility and equality, stressing that all people were equal before Almighty Allah and that piety remained the true measure of a person’s worth.

“The best amongst us is he who is most pious,” he said.

He further urged Muslim leaders and members of the Ummah to continue to serve humanity, whether publicly or quietly, noting that acts of service did not have to be publicised to be valuable.

According to him, some of the most meaningful contributions to Islam and society are carried out quietly, without seeking recognition or praise.

He commended Muslim leaders and members of the Ummah who had continued to contribute to the development of Islam and society, saying their efforts, whether public or private, were known to Almighty Allah.

The Sultan concluded by thanking delegates for attending the General Assembly and expressed confidence that the gathering would provide an opportunity for meaningful deliberations and renewed commitment to the advancement of the Muslim Ummah.