Scholar Writes Open Letter to Sheikh Jingir: Faith Must Heal, Not Divide Nigeria

• Cites Qur’an, Prophetic tradition to counter ‘infidel’ remarks, urges focus on poverty, not politics

A Nigerian scholar of Comparative Religion, Rev. Dr. Demas Sam Sarki, has penned an open letter to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, National Chairman of the Council of Ulama of JIBWIS, cautioning that using religion for political exclusion threatens national unity and contradicts Islamic teachings.

The letter, released Tuesday, comes amid widespread condemnation of recent remarks attributed to the Sheikh in Kano, where he was reported to have labeled Christians as “infidels,” linked the 2023 elections to Muslim ownership of Nigeria, and called for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.

Titled “Beyond Religious Politics: A Sober Call for Moral Leadership, Mutual Respect, Justice and National Unity,” the letter opens with a warning, “When Religion Becomes a Weapon, the Nation Pays the Price.”

Dr. Sarki, who described himself as writing “out of a profound duty to safeguard peace,” said public derogatory statements by religious leaders “undermine your standing as a cleric” and “breed conflict, inflame religious tensions, and weaken the fabric of our peaceful coexistence.”

A major part of the letter addressed the use of the term “infidel” or Kafir for Christians.

From a scholarly and comparative standpoint, Dr. Sarki argued that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) “never classified Christians as ‘infidels.’ Instead, he recognized them under the honourable Quranic designation of Ahl al-Kitab — People of the Book.”

He referenced the Covenant of Medina and the Ashtiname of Muhammad, saying the Prophet “expressly commanded Muslims to protect Christian communities, their places of worship, and their freedom of conscience.”

He also quoted, “He who wrongs a Jew or a Christian will have myself as his accuser on the Day of Judgment.”

“Classical Islamic scholarship clearly distinguishes between polytheistic pagans who waged war against early Muslims and the monotheistic Ahl al-Kitab,” he wrote.

“Labeling fellow monotheists who share a belief in the God of Abraham as ‘infidels’… distorts scriptural terminology for political rhetoric.”

The scholar cited four Qur’anic verses to support peaceful coexistence including Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:8, on kindness and fairness to non-Muslims who do not wage war, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256, “there is no compulsion in religion,” Surah Al-Ankabut 29:46, to argue with People of the Book “only in the most respectful manner” and Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13, on diversity of nations and tribes “so that we may know one another”

“When a religious scholar ignores these foundational principles to promote religious supremacy or political exclusion, it violates the core tenets of comparative theology,” he stated.

Dr. Sarki shifted focus to what he called “The Northern Reality: Power Without Prosperity.” He noted that despite decades of northern leadership at the federal level, the region still faces poverty, insecurity, out-of-school children, and decaying infrastructure.

“High inflation, unemployment, and hunger affect every household regardless of whether they pray in a mosque or a church,” he wrote.

“Arguing over numerical superiority or political hegemony will not lower the cost of living, secure our communities, or educate our youth.”

The scholar said religious leaders should be “moral instruments tasked with preaching messages of liberation, demanding good governance, holding political leaders accountable,” not political partisans championing electoral tickets.

“At your age and standing, you ought to be looked upon as an elder religious statesman, a unifying patriarch who advises the government toward justice, national reconciliation, and socio-economic recovery,” he told Sheikh Jingir.

Dr. Sarki ended with a reminder of divine accountability stating that “God Almighty will hold every Sheikh and Pastor strictly accountable on the Day of Qiyama for every word we utter, every tension we incite, and every soul we misguide through bigotry.”

“Let us reject divisive rhetoric, embrace mutual respect, and use our platforms to promote justice, unity, and lasting peace across Nigeria.”

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