The recent misleading news carried by The Punch newspaper (online) about Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory, the Mudir of Markaz (Arabic and Islamic Training Institute), Agege, Lagos shows that it is either the tabloid has not learnt lessons, or it has simply decided to continue to stray from the reputation it painstakingly built over the years by publishing misleading news. Only time will tell.
While the newspaper was being applauded for a rare moment of responsibility – correcting its misleading headline about the Jigawa State hijab-for-security-operatives story – The Punch once again found itself at the center of a needless and unwarranted controversy.
This time, it published a story based on a doctored video clip circulated on social media, using a sensational and misleading headline referencing the Mudir.
First Headline: Using satellite dish is a sin, users will go to hell – Islamic cleric
In its original lead, the story published online on Thursday, April 24 (before being updated) read: “Renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Habeebullah Al-Ilory, has warned Muslims against the use of satellite dishes, declaring it a forbidden act that could cost users their place in paradise.”
Like a swarm of bees, many blogs and social media platforms – including gossip blog Instablog9ja – jumped on the story with their own misleading and controversial headlines, without verifying the facts.
To defend their institutional integrity and Sheikh Habeebullah’s reputation, Markaz, through its legal team, formally wrote to Instablog9ja – demanding, among other things, that the misleading post be taken down, the full video clips published, and a public apology issued across all their social media platforms. A copy of this letter was shared online.
It remains unclear whether The Punch was formally served by the solicitors. However, the newspaper promptly updated its headline and substantially revised the story to reflect what Sheikh Habeebullah actually said in the full video.
Updated Headline: Satellite dishes don’t lead to hell, Islamic cleric faults rigid doctrines
In its updated lead, the newspaper wrote:
“Prominent Islamic scholar and Director of Markaz, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory has openly challenged long-held religious beliefs that he says no longer reflect the realities of modern Islamic societies, calling for a more progressive and informed interpretation of Islamic teachings.”
C. Muslim News Nigeria Analysis:
A simple investigation easily exposed the Nigerian media’s folly. Some unscrupulous elements had doctored a portion of Sheikh Habeebullah’s lecture – specifically where he was addressing and correcting misguided fatawa issued by a few scholars who had indeed made extreme claims in the past.
Rather than presenting the full context of Sheikh Habeebullah’s effort to correct these misconceptions, The Punch and other media outlets, driven by what can only be described as sinister motive, used the doctored clip to craft a clickbait narrative.
In an era where information travels at the speed of light – fueled by social media virality, artificial intelligence, and the frightening rise of deepfakes – the need for thorough verification cannot be overstated.
Media organisations, especially legacy brands like The Punch, bear an even greater responsibility to fact-check, balance their reports and avoid sensationalism.
Failure to do so not only misleads readers but erodes public trust, distorts vital discussions, and causes reputational harm that may be difficult to undo. Credibility must not be sacrificed on the altar of cheap clicks, viral frenzy and traffic seeking
In this case, the misrepresentation of Sheikh Habeebullah’s remarks cannot be dismissed as a mere harmless oversight; it is rather a serious ethical breach that has unjustly tainted the Mudir’s image. Even if The Punch issues corrections – as it did with the hijab headline incident – what about the countless blogs and social media accounts that have already spread the misinformation?
Many of them may never issued retractions, and countless readers may forever carry a tainted and false impression. The story and the doctored video remain online to this day. This is the real cost of irresponsible journalism as being displayed by the Punch newspaper: a stain on reputations that no correction or apology can ever fully erase.
It is high time the media outlets rediscovered their moral compass and place journalism integrity above sensationalism.
If you’re not guilty of sitting in your corner and using social media to spread lies or cause mischief, Sultan of Sokoto’s comment isn’t an attack on you. #Terrorism doesn’t start with killings; it often starts with misinformation and deliberate incitement. Let’s be guided! 1/2 pic.twitter.com/Z7tFdGkFT8
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) April 17, 2025
It is also time for Nigerian security agencies and relevant regulatory bodies of journalism to focus on the proper regulation of social media. They should rather be guided by the instructive remark of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad, when he likened social media to a terrorist organisation – highlighting the dangers posed by individuals who, from the comfort of their homes, spread misinformation capable of inciting chaos.
Rather than take offense, security agencies should seize this opportunity to collaborate with media regulatory bodies to promote accurate and responsible journalism and safeguard societal harmony.
– Rasheed Abubakar, Publisher, Muslim News Nigeria
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