Over 1,000 indigenous Muslims from across Plateau Northern Zone have converged in Jos for a landmark congress, declaring a new commitment to unity, peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and collective development of the state.
The congress, organised by the United Muslims Indigenes for Growth and Development, brought together Islamic scholars, community leaders and representatives from different indigenous Muslim communities in Plateau State.
The gathering was described as a significant step towards building a stronger and more coordinated platform for indigenous Muslims, with participants resolving to formally establish a formidable union capable of advancing their collective interests.
Beyond religious engagement, the congress provided an opportunity for participants to address what they described as longstanding challenges of disunity, identity, exclusion and manipulation among indigenous Muslims.
The organisers said the Northern Zone congress is a precursor to a larger statewide congress of indigenous Muslims, which is expected to bring together representatives from across Plateau State.
UNITY ABOVE DIVISION
Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the Congress, Alhaji Dr. Samaila Rukuba, charged indigenous Muslims to uphold the values of love, tolerance, discipline and peaceful coexistence that have historically defined Plateau society.
Dr. Rukuba cautioned participants against allowing themselves to be used by individuals or groups seeking to provoke conflict or undermine peaceful relationships among the people.
He urged indigenous Muslims to cooperate with traditional and community leadership structures and maintain respect for fellow citizens irrespective of religious differences.
“Any teaching that promotes hatred is un-Islamic,” he declared.
He warned that allowing oneself to be used against one's native land and fellow citizens was not an expression of Islam, but criminality that must be rejected.
The Chairman also condemned attempts to introduce tribal superiority and political manipulation into religious practice, stressing that Islam should not be used as a tool for domination, exclusion or the denigration of other Muslims.
He particularly rejected narratives suggesting that some indigenous Muslims are “less Muslim” because of their ethnic or cultural background, describing such attitudes as divisive and contrary to the spirit of Islam.
REJECTING HATRED AGAINST CHRISTIANS
The congress also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening peaceful relationships between indigenous Muslims and Christians across Plateau State.
Dr. Rukuba condemned the use of derogatory expressions against Christians, stressing that Muslims are obligated to treat people of other faiths with justice, dignity and kindness.
He cited Qur'an 60:8, which states:
“Allah does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who do not believe in your religion…”
He also referenced Qur'an 2:256:
“There is no compulsion in religion…”
The Chairman further cited prophetic traditions emphasising the protection of non-Muslims under Muslim authority and the prohibition of harming neighbours, regardless of their faith.
He urged participants to ensure that the authentic teachings of Islam, rather than inflammatory interpretations, guide their conduct and engagement with society.
A NEW PLATFORM FOR INDIGENOUS MUSLIMS
The congress resolved to build a platform that will enable indigenous Muslims across Plateau to know one another better, overcome internal divisions and collectively pursue their social, economic and developmental interests.
The initiative, according to the organisers, is not designed to create another avenue for division but to restore the dignity, identity and confidence of indigenous Muslims while promoting harmonious relationships with other communities.
The Chairman called on the Muslim Ummah to remain prayerful, support one another and reject attempts to politicise Islam or exploit religious sentiments for personal or political interests.
He stressed that the foundation of Islam remains the Kalmar Shahada, and warned against judging fellow believers through ethnic, political or tribal lenses.
COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT
The Board of Trustees of the organisation also appealed to indigenous Muslims across Plateau State to cooperate with governments at all levels, from the local government councils to the state government, while maintaining cordial relationships with people of other faiths.
The Board said such cooperation was necessary to promote unity, peace, security and sustainable development across the state.
The congress was anchored by Dr. Isa Pam and attracted several prominent Islamic scholars and senior indigenous Muslim leaders, including Alhaji Abdullahi Audu (Ogah Perfect), Hon. Waziri Kwande and Mallam Ado Shigi, among others.
The organisers described the gathering as the beginning of a new chapter for indigenous Muslims in Plateau—one focused on unity rather than division, dialogue rather than confrontation, and development rather than manipulation.
They said the movement would continue to engage communities across the state in pursuit of inclusion, dignity, peaceful coexistence and collective development.
The message from the Jos congress was unequivocal: Plateau's indigenous Muslims want to be organised, heard and actively involved in building a peaceful and prosperous state, while rejecting hatred, religious extremism, tribal superiority and every form of manipulation capable of setting citizens against one another.
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