Sheikh Mohammed Mahmoud, Imam of the East London Mosque, has identified education, authentic religious scholarship and sustained interfaith engagement as critical solutions to deepening religious tensions in Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna during his tour of the country, the UK-based cleric rejected narratives that frame violence in Nigeria as a religious war, insisting that Islam does not sanction attacks any other faith group.

He said crimes committeed in the name of religion stem largely from ignorance, misinterpretation of sacred texts and the collapse of credible religious authority, rather than from genuine Islamic teachings.

Sheikh Mahmoud noted that Islam’s core objective is peace, stressing that no one can claim spiritual salvation while inflicting suffering on others, regardless of religious differences.

According to him, extremists who fuel violence and reinforce genocide claims often rely on selective readings of scripture without guidance from qualified scholars.

He warned that religion cannot be learnt from books alone, explaining that authentic Islamic knowledge is preserved through trained scholars whose understanding is traceable to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The cleric said misunderstanding religion creates fear, suspicion and hostility between Muslims and Christians, further widening social fractures and feeding international accusations against Nigeria.

He described education and enlightenment as the most effective antidote, urging Islamic institutions to strengthen learning, accountability and global scholarly linkages to prevent radicalisation.

Sheikh Mahmoud also called on religious leaders to take responsibility for dialogue, saying clergy across faiths must actively engage one another to address grievances before they escalate.

He likened Interfaith dialogue to a “round table” where communities openly share experiences, listen to one another’s pain and jointly develop solutions.

Drawing from his experience in the United Kingdom, the Imam said collaboration between Muslim and Christian leaders there has helped address social problems and reduce mistrust.

He argued that similar partnerships in Nigeria would do more to counter allegations of religious persecution than public rebuttals or media arguments.

The cleric stressed that Nigeria’s youthful population makes early engagement crucial, warning that neglecting young people leaves them vulnerable to manipulation and extremist narratives.

He said Islam’s message of peace is universal and benefits Muslims and non-Muslims alike, insisting that religious teachings should be a bridge, not a weapon.

Sheikh Mahmoud expressed hope that stronger education, unity within the Muslim community and sincere interfaith cooperation would help heal divisions, reduce violence and restore Nigeria’s image as a country where people of different faiths can coexist peacefully. (Daily Trust, excluding headline)