According to a report by Channels TV from 01:19, on Monday August 10, 2026, Prof. Ahmad Suleiman, Director of Research and Production at the Ambassadors of Peace and Social Welfare Initiative, has strongly condemned controversial remarks recently made by an Islamic cleric, describing the statements as derogatory toward Christians and completely opposed to authentic Islamic teachings.
The controversial comments made during a gathering attended by the governors of Kogi, Jigawa, and Zamfara states sparked public outcry after video footage showed attendees reacting lightly to derogatory terminology aimed at non-Muslims.
Prof. Suleiman expressed deep sadness over the incident while emphasizing that the cleric’s views reflect solely his personal perspective rather than the tenets of the faith.
Rebutting the cleric’s statement, Prof. Suleiman stressed that Islam commands respect and protection for non-Muslims, particularly Christians and Jews, whom the Quran identifies as People of the Book [01:19].
“First of all, I think I’m very depressed to have had what I had there. But I also understand the background from which he is speaking, which is just a one among millions of Muslims. He’s just speaking from his own background. But I’ll talk to you now from Islamic background. From Islamic background, what he’s saying is totally against Islamic background.”
He added that the use of derogatory terminology like infidel is inappropriate and offensive .
“The use of the word infidel, I find it totally offensive.”
Prof. Suleiman highlighted Quranic instructions regarding interfaith engagement and cited historical precedents established during the early period of Islam.
“Because Quranically, Quran does not like you referring to people of the book as individuals… The Quran says even when you engage them, you don’t inject them with insult. And they were all described that among the Christians, you have very good, godly people who are religious.”
He also cited instructions issued by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to military commanders, highlighting the Islamic duty to preserve places of worship and protect religious devotees during times of conflict;
“Even during the time of the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam, when people are going for war, in the 10th commandment he gave to his commander, he said: ‘When you go to a place, you’ll find people who are withdrawn to their churches, to their monasteries praying please leave them alone, leave them on what they are doing.’ So Islam teaches us to respect other people.”