Abuja:The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has called for Muslims to have the freedom to practise their religion without any form of compulsion.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Sultan made this statement during the Special Prayer for the Nation and 2026 General Assembly organized by the NSCIA in Abuja. He emphasized the importance of allowing Muslims to practise their faith freely while respecting the rights of others and highlighted that Islam does not support forcing people to embrace the religion.
The Sultan noted that many individuals have voluntarily embraced Islam, underscoring the principle of freedom of religion recognized in Islam. He encouraged Muslims to protect and support converts who join Islam willingly, helping them become responsible members of society.
Abubakar urged Muslims to remain committed to worshipping Allah without imposing their beliefs on others. He stressed the importance of unity within the Islamic community, urging Muslims to regard themselves as one family and to promote peaceful coexistence.
The Sultan also appreciated Prof. Is-haq Oloyede for his significant contributions as Secretary-General of the NSCIA and former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). He commended Oloyede’s dedication to his responsibilities and the development of the Islamic body.
The special prayer organized by the NSCIA aimed to seek peace, dignity, and progress for Nigeria. Abubakar expressed gratitude to participants and wished Nigerians a memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, expressing hope for continued peace and stability.
He highlighted the significance of the NSCIA General Assembly, noting its return after about seven years, and expressed optimism about the strengthened unity among the Muslim community as a result of the gathering.