The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has strongly condemned the United States government for designating Nigeria as a "Country of Great Concern" over alleged persecution of Christians. According to Engineer Hassan Abdul Rahman, the Council's Secretary in Kaduna, the decision by the Donald Trump administration represents a narrow and biased assessment of Nigeria's complex internal challenges. He described the move as unfair, noting that it paints a false picture of the nation's realities and undermines peace efforts.Abdul Rahman emphasized that the insecurity in Nigeria cannot be simplistically reduced to religion. He noted that the root causes of violence are deeply tied to ethnic, political, and economic factors that affect both Muslims and Christians alike. "By statistics," he explained, "Muslims have often been the majority of victims in several violent incidents, which contradicts the narrative of religious persecution against Christians." This, he added, shows that the problem is multifaceted and not a case of one faith targeting another.
The Council criticized Western nations for displaying selective empathy, highlighting that global concern tends to rise only when Christians are affected. Abdul Rahman lamented that the world remains silent when Muslims are the victims of violence, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere. "This hypocrisy and double standard," he said, "breed resentment and alienation among Muslim communities globally."
SCSN also expressed disappointment in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), accusing it of spreading misinformation that fuels mistrust and division. Abdul Rahman cautioned that falsehoods and propaganda could destroy the unity of Nigeria, stressing that when the nation collapses, everyone—Muslims, Christians, and others—will suffer equally. He urged religious leaders to prioritize truth, harmony, and collective progress over divisive narratives.
Calling for calm and wisdom, Abdul Rahman encouraged Nigerians to reject foreign attempts to sow discord. "Let us not allow external lies to divide us," he said. "Through understanding, dialogue, and cooperation, we can build a peaceful and united nation." He reiterated the Council's commitment to promoting unity among Nigeria's diverse religious communities as the only sustainable path to peace.
Finally, the SCSN urged the federal government to take a firm stance against the U.S. decision. The Council insisted that mere press statements were insufficient to express the gravity of the situation. "Nigeria must act decisively," Abdul Rahman declared, suggesting that strong diplomatic measures may be necessary to defend the country's integrity and sovereignty.Source: