The Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for Muslims to practise their religion freely, without compulsion.

Mr Abubakar made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the special prayer for the nation and 2026 General Assembly organised by the NSCIA.

The Sultan said Muslims had important roles to play in addressing challenges confronting the country and the world.

He urged Muslims not to remain passive in the face of developments that could negatively affect their religion and society.

According to him, Muslims should be allowed to practise their religion and faith freely, without infringing on the 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.

Mr Abubakar stressed that Islam did not support forcing people to embrace the religion.

“We do not intend to bombard anyone. We do not intend to make people, by force, to join Islam,” he said.

He noted that many people had voluntarily embraced Islam and remained free to practise their faith.

The Sultan said Islam clearly recognises the principle of freedom of religion “because we know that there is no compulsion in religion.”

He urged Muslims to continue respecting people of other faiths and said that they were committed to protecting and supporting those who voluntarily joined Islam.

“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.

He urged Muslims not to consider themselves superior to people of other faiths, stressing that piety ultimately remained known to Allah.

“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.

“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.”

The Sultan said the prayer was organised to seek peace, dignity and progress for Nigeria and those working to promote peace in the country.

(NAN)