The President of the United States, Donald Trump, yesterday threatened to attack Nigeria over the Christian genocide narrative. However, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called for calm.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Sunday, 2nd November, 2025, the group said US strikes will make sense if they are directed at terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP but such strikes will be considered aggression and a resumption of the Christian crusade if innocent Muslims and mosques are targeted.
The full statement reads:
“President Donald Trump of the United States yesterday threatened to attack Nigeria over the Christian genocide narrative.
“Taken contextually, Trump’s threat should be seen as directed at terrorist groups. If that is so, our response to the threat is simple and straightforward.
“Terrorists are not part of us. Their methods stand in contradistinction to the tenets of Islam. We condemn terrorism and we will not associate with those who kill and maim. We reject ideologies of kidnapping and extortion. They are alien to Islam.
*”Regarding President Trump’s threat, Nigerians should remain calm. There is no cause for alarm particularly for peace-loving and law-abiding Muslims and other Nigerians.*
“US strikes will make sense if they are directed at terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP who have been killing both Muslims and Christians. Bandits who have been kidnapping both Muslims and Christians should also be on Trump’s hit list. Trump and the US will be hailed if this is the objective.
“The truth is that the Nigerian government has been fighting these criminals. Our gallant soldiers have been in the trenches all along against these enemies of humanity. Both our government and the good people of Nigeria will be glad if America will confront them. We need such help and it will be good riddance to bad rubbish if every Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP element in this country can be eliminated.
“But such strikes will be considered aggression and a resumption of the Christian crusade of the 19th century if innocent Muslims and mosques are targeted or if Muslim leaders are attacked or become victims of rendition and the attendant waterboarding.
“We urge law-abiding Muslims and other Nigerians to eschew thoughts of anti-Trump or anti-American actions over this threat. Nigerians should go about their lawful duties without entertaining any fear. The world is watching.
“In particular, we warn against the formation of any militant group by any Islamic organization in response to Trump’s threat. Such groups are most likely to end up harassing innocent Nigerians, including Muslims.
“Muslim youths North and South of the country are advised to avoid public protests over Trump’s threat. We should allow the Nigerian government to handle the matter through diplomatic channels.
“To the Nigerian government, we advice persuasion and robust diplomacy. Threats should not be met with counter-threats.
“We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) will not betray our avowed motto, namely, ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’ and we implore fellow Nigerians, particularly Muslim youths, to imbibe this principle of nonviolence.
“As we draw the curtain, we appeal to Muslims to continue the spirit of forgiveness, tolerance and love. We must not allow any feeling of hatred, vengeance or transferred aggression towards our Christian neighbours.
“Ditto for foreigners in our midst. We must not forget that hospitality is a core principle in Islam. We have no hard feelings towards American citizens because we are aware that there is a huge difference between American citizens and their governments. The average American is warm, humane and hospitable.”