* Tinubu to declare open Abuja summit focused on finding solutions to insecurity
Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (Rabitat al-Alam al-Islami), Sheikh Dr Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, has arrived in Nigeria ahead of a high-level international conference on national security, peaceful coexistence and sustainable socio-economic development.
Al-Issa arrived in Abuja on Monday ahead of the two-day conference, jointly organised by Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS Nigeria) and the Muslim World League of Saudi Arabia.
He was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by senior government officials, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu; Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Albalawi; as well as leaders and members of JIBWIS, among others.
The conference, scheduled for Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12, will focus on Nigeria’s security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other threats, while examining their implications for national unity, religious tolerance and sustainable socio-economic development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to declare the conference open at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Al-Issa inaugurates MWL mosque, commends Tinubu
Before the conference, Al-Issa participated in the inauguration of the Muslim World League Mosque in Abuja on Monday.
At the ceremony, the MWL Secretary-General commended President Tinubu’s efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims in Nigeria.
Al-Issa, who is also Chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Scholars (OIS), said religious harmony and peaceful coexistence were important foundations for national stability and development.
His arrival and activities in Abuja have added an international dimension to the conference, which is expected to bring together religious leaders, government officials, policymakers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Nigeria and beyond.
Tinubu to open conference
President Tinubu’s expected participation places the conference at the centre of the national conversation on security and social cohesion.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, is expected to serve as the royal father of the occasion, while state governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, Islamic scholars and traditional rulers are among dignitaries expected at the gathering.
The conference is themed “Diversity and Peaceful Coexistence Among People” and is expected to promote unity among Muslims across sectarian, ethnic and tribal lines, while strengthening peaceful relations between Muslims and adherents of other faiths.
Focus on kidnapping, banditry, terrorism
Security is expected to dominate discussions at the conference, particularly the growing threats posed by kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.
The organisers said the gathering would examine the relationship between national security and sustainable socio-economic development, with participants expected to explore practical approaches to addressing emerging security challenges.
The conference is also expected to examine how insecurity affects communities, economic activities and development, while considering the role of religious and community institutions in strengthening resilience and promoting stability.
Promoting Muslim unity, peaceful coexistence
Beyond conventional security concerns, the organisers have placed significant emphasis on religious unity and peaceful coexistence.
The conference is expected to encourage Muslims to maintain their respective schools of thought while respecting adherents of other Islamic traditions.
The organisers have also urged Muslims to avoid insults and provocative statements against followers of other sects, stressing that sectarian conflicts weaken the Muslim community.
The broader objective, according to the organisers, is to foster unity across ethnic and tribal lines and promote peaceful coexistence with people of other religions in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Linking security with development
Another major focus of the conference is the connection between security and socio-economic development.
The organisers believe that sustainable development cannot be achieved in an environment where insecurity continues to threaten lives, property and livelihoods.
The conference will therefore provide a platform for religious leaders, policymakers, security stakeholders and other experts to examine how partnerships can be strengthened to address security challenges while creating conditions for economic and social progress.
International partnership
The collaboration between JIBWIS and the Muslim World League is expected to provide an international platform for discussions on Nigeria’s security and development challenges.
Al-Issa’s participation is particularly significant given the Muslim World League’s international engagement on religious dialogue, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and countering extremist ideologies.
His presence is also expected to strengthen discussions on the role of religious leadership in promoting peace and social cohesion.
Main conference ends Wednesday
The main conference will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and continue until Wednesday afternoon.
Following the conclusion of the conference, a national preaching session is scheduled to hold at the JIBWIS headquarters in Utako, Abuja, on Wednesday evening. The programme is expected to continue through the night.
Participants are expected to depart Abuja for their respective destinations on Thursday.
The organisers said the wider programme was designed to move beyond speeches and provide an opportunity for stakeholders to build partnerships and develop sustainable approaches to security, peaceful coexistence and socio-economic development.
With President Tinubu expected to declare the conference open and Al-Issa leading the Muslim World League delegation, the Abuja gathering is set to bring national and international attention to Nigeria’s search for sustainable solutions to insecurity, religious tensions and development challenges.
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