Shettima: It’s our duty to ensure every Nigerian can practise their religion without fear

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the Bola Tinubu administration is committed to protecting the rights of every Nigerian, regardless of religious beliefs.

Shettima spoke in Lagos, on Saturday at the 6th Nigeria World Maulid anniversary national conference and special prayer organised by the Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya of Nigeria, in honour of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

The vice-president called for accountability in deeds and actions, urging all individuals to uphold the Prophet’s message of fairness and inclusivity in their daily interactions.

“The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) serve as a compass guiding us through the complexities of a multicultural world,” Shettima said.

“He (prophet Muhammad) left us a template to manage a diverse society fairly. He taught us ways to build peace and resolve conflicts through dialogue, through kindness and through tolerance.

“The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) offer a beacon of light navigating the complexities of our multicultural world.

“The Holy Prophet left behind a roadmap for managing diversity with fairness, building peace through dialogue, and resolving conflicts with kindness and tolerance.”

On challenges faced by the nation, Shettima acknowledged the burden of trust bestowed on Tinubu by the people.

He urged Nigerians to lead by example, recognising their intellectual, spiritual and moral capabilities.

“On behalf of the president and Nigeria’s over 200 million people, we deeply appreciate the special prayer session held by the Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya, where the Quran was recited 4,444 times for Nigeria and its leader,” he said.

“In our diverse nation, it is our duty to ensure every Nigerian can practise their religion freely without fear or discrimination.

“We are all in search of our roads to redemption. Here, we are offering to build a nation that upholds the dignity of each person, recognizes the rights of each group, and emphasizes the essence of tolerance.”

He urged Nigerians to join hands in fulfilling the nation’s obligations to its people and embracing the Prophet’s teachings.

“Our road to the place of hope is strewn with our commitment to building a nation with the bricks of compassion, justice, and fairness,” he said.

“The miracle of this dream rests on our adherence to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, and I urge all Nigerians to join us in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood on our long walk to fulfil our obligations to the people.”

The vice-president also commended Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen Attijaniyya efforts in “promoting peaceful coexistence among different religious communities”.