Clerics move to curb extremism through legislation

Islamic scholars and stakeholders have called for the enactment of legislation to regulate religious practices that fuel terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa and the Sahel. This call was made during a press conference in Abuja ahead of the upcoming International Islamic Conference on Security and Governance. The conference, scheduled for November 4–6, 2025 […]

Islamic scholars and stakeholders have called for the enactment of legislation to regulate religious practices that fuel terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa and the Sahel.

This call was made during a press conference in Abuja ahead of the upcoming International Islamic Conference on Security and Governance.

The conference, scheduled for November 4–6, 2025 in Abuja, will convene Islamic scholars, government officials, education experts, and civil society leaders to address the growing threat of extremism in West Africa.

Themed “The Role of Islamic Organisations in Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel,” the event aims to produce actionable strategies to curb radicalisation and promote peace.

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The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Muhammad Al-Qasim Yahaya, stressed the urgency of confronting religious practices that compromise public safety.

“We must adopt a mechanism for regulating religious practices that compromise state security and individual safety,” he said.

The Sahel region continues to grapple with escalating violence. The proliferation of illegal arms alongside porous borders and governance failures has worsened the crisis.

A key focus of the conference will be the traditional Islamic education system, particularly the Almajiri model. Organizers highlighted its vulnerability to exploitation by extremist groups due to lack of formal education and vocational training.

“Almajiri children face poverty, child labour, exploitation, and vulnerability to radicalisation,” the committee said.

The conference will also deliberate on a proposed Regional Declaration on Improving the Traditional Islamic School System as a counterterrorism measure.

Expected outcomes include enhanced deradicalisation efforts, interfaith dialogue, and the establishment of regional legislation to regulate harmful religious practices.