The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has strongly condemned the recent U.S. government decision to classify Nigeria as a "Country of Great Concern" over alleged persecution of Christians. In a statement released in Kaduna, the Council described the move as biased, misleading, and disconnected from Nigeria's complex security realities.

Engineer Hassan Abdul Rahman, the Council's Secretary, criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration for presenting a "one-sided narrative" that oversimplifies the nation's challenges. He emphasized that Nigeria's insecurity is driven by a complicated mix of ethnic, political, and economic issues, rather than a targeted campaign against any single religious group.

Abdul Rahman highlighted that Muslims, in many instances, are the primary victims of violence, arguing that attributing the nation's unrest solely to religious motivations ignores the broader realities. He stressed that such oversimplifications undermine national unity and hinder peacebuilding efforts, while also fueling unnecessary tension between communities.

The Council further accused Western powers of selective concern, noting that global outrage tends to rise predominantly when Christians are affected, while violence against Muslims receives comparatively little attention. Abdul Rahman warned that this perceived bias fosters distrust and alienation among Muslim populations, weakening prospects for interfaith harmony across the country.

In addition, SCSN criticized the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for allegedly spreading misinformation that could intensify sectarian divisions. Abdul Rahman urged Nigerians to reject external attempts to deepen religious divides, advocating instead for dialogue, understanding, and cooperative efforts to build a united and peaceful nation.

Finally, the Council called on the Nigerian government to respond decisively to the U.S. designation, emphasizing that diplomatic statements alone are insufficient. "Stern measures must be taken, even if it requires reconsidering diplomatic ties," Abdul Rahman asserted, underscoring the urgent need to defend Nigeria's sovereignty while promoting national unity and peace.

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