- engaging in violent demonstrations could endanger innocent citizens
- Akintola urged the Nigerian government to address the issue diplomatically
- He further urged Muslims to avoid any form of hatred or retaliation
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to Muslim youths across Nigeria to maintain peace and avoid staging protests in response to the recent threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to launch attacks on Nigeria.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that in a statement issued on Sunday, Professor Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of MURIC, advised Muslim youths and organisations to remain calm, stressing that creating militant groups or engaging in violent demonstrations could endanger innocent citizens, including fellow Muslims.
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Akintola urged the Nigerian government to address the issue diplomatically rather than through confrontation or emotional reactions, which he said could escalate tensions.
“Muslim youths across the country, both in the North and South, should refrain from public protests over President Trump’s statement. The Nigerian government should be allowed to resolve the matter through diplomatic engagement,” he said.
He clarified that Trump’s comments should be understood as a warning directed at terrorist organisations, not against Muslims or Nigeria as a nation.
“Contextually, Trump’s threat appears targeted at terrorist groups. If that is the case, our position is clear — terrorists are not part of us. Their methods contradict the teachings of Islam,” Akintola stated. “We condemn terrorism in all forms and reject ideologies of kidnapping, extortion, and bloodshed. These are alien to Islam.”
The MURIC leader noted that if the U.S. military targets Boko Haram, ISIS, or ISWAP, such action would be understandable, given that those groups have caused suffering for both Muslims and Christians.
However, he warned that any attacks on innocent Muslims or mosques would be seen as acts of hostility and reminiscent of the historical Christian crusades.
“If innocent Muslims, mosques, or religious leaders are targeted, it would amount to aggression and a continuation of the crusades of the 19th century,” Akintola cautioned.
Reaffirming MURIC’s commitment to its motto, ‘Dialogue, Not Violence,’ Akintola encouraged all Nigerians to embrace peace, tolerance, and mutual respect.
He further urged Muslims to avoid any form of hatred or retaliation against Christians or foreigners, adding that hospitality and compassion remain central to Islamic values.
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