The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said Islam does not support forcing people to embrace the religion.
The Sultan made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja at a special prayer for Nigeria and the 2026 General Assembly organised by the NSCIA.
Abubakar urged Muslims to practise their faith freely while respecting the religious rights of others.
“All we need in this country and anywhere in this world is for us as Muslims to be allowed to practise our religion and our faith within us,” he said.
He stressed that Muslims should not compel others to convert to Islam.
“We do not intend to bombard anyone. We do not intend to make people, by force, to join Islam,” the Sultan said.
According to him, the principle of freedom of religion is recognised in Islam, adding that Muslims should respect people of other faiths.
“Because we know that there is no compulsion in religion,” he said.
Abubakar also said Muslims had a responsibility to protect and support people who voluntarily embraced Islam, while helping them become responsible members of society.
“We are actively trying to always protect those who are joining us, to be the best that they can be in their lives,” he said.
The Sultan urged Muslims to remain committed to their faith without considering themselves superior to people of other religions.
“We don’t want to be better than anybody else, because Allah knows that all of us are able to show Him the best amongst us, to see who is most pious,” he said.
He called for greater unity among Muslims and urged members of the Islamic community to work together to protect their faith and promote peaceful coexistence.
“We are going to be a family of Islam. We are proud to be Muslims, and we will do everything we must do to protect ourselves and our deen,” he said.
The Sultan also commended the NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for his contributions to the council and his service as former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
Abubakar said Oloyede had effectively combined his responsibilities and contributed to the development of the Islamic body.
He also thanked participants at the special prayer, saying the gathering was aimed at seeking peace, dignity and progress for Nigeria.
The Sultan congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary and expressed gratitude that the country had remained united since gaining independence.
“Today is October 1st, Independence Day of Nigeria. We got independence 66 years ago, and I’m really glad that we are still standing on our feet and celebrating the day we were born today,” he said.
He prayed for continued peace and stability in the country.
Abubakar further noted that the NSCIA General Assembly was being held after about seven years, describing the gathering as an opportunity for Muslims from across the country to reconnect and strengthen unity within the community.
