Christian and Muslim leaders under the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) have adopted an Interfaith Code of Conduct (ICoC) to guide public statements by religious leaders and called on the National Assembly to enact laws imposing sanctions on preachers who promote hate speech.
The resolution was reached at the end of the 8th General Assembly and Abuja Peace Conference held under the theme: “Hate Speech and Violence: The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Nation-Building.”
Addressing journalists during a world press conference after the two-day conference, IDFP Co-Chairman Ameer Muhammad Jameel Muhammad said the Code of Conduct would serve as a practical guide for religious leaders and other stakeholders in promoting responsible communication and peaceful coexistence.
He stressed that while the Code provides moral guidance, effective enforcement would require legal backing, urging the National Assembly to enact legislation empowering relevant government agencies to sanction individuals who incite violence or spread hate speech.
“The issue of sanctions should be handled by the appropriate government agencies through laws enacted by the National Assembly to curb hate speech and promote national unity,” Muhammad said.
In a communiqué jointly signed by IDFP Co-Chairmen Abainatus Akila Hamman and Ameer Muhammad Jameel Muhammad, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening interfaith harmony and fostering peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.
The communiqué stated that the Interfaith Code of Conduct (ICoC) is designed to provide a shared, values-based framework for preventing hate speech, promoting responsible religious leadership, strengthening peaceful coexistence and supporting national cohesion.
According to the forum, the Code addresses the religious, ethnic, political and social tensions affecting communities and public institutions across the country by encouraging ethical communication and mutual respect among faith leaders.
The conference was organised by the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in partnership with the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID).
The event attracted prominent religious leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the NSCIA, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, alongside peacebuilding organisations, government officials, civil society groups, journalists, women and youth representatives.
Participants identified hate speech and violence as major threats to national peace and democratic consolidation, emphasizing that collaboration among religious leaders, government institutions and civil society remains essential for promoting unity and sustainable nation-building.
A panel session also examined Nigeria’s current security and social challenges while exploring practical ways of implementing the Interfaith Code of Conduct to counter divisive narratives, prevent conflict and strengthen peaceful coexistence nationwide.
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