NCYP Warns Jingir Against "Arna" Remarks Capable of Fuelling Religious Crisis

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has rejected the description of Christians as “Arna,” attributed to Islamic cleric, Mallam Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, warning that such rhetoric could reopen old wounds and undermine efforts to rebuild peaceful coexistence in Northern Nigeria.

The group said the term, commonly used in Hausa to refer to an infidel or unbeliever, was “unfortunate and in bad taste,” particularly coming from a prominent religious leader.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Isaac Abrak, on Monday, the NCYP said Christians were people of faith who worship Jesus Christ and should not be portrayed as “infidels” or people without faith.

“Christians are faithful believers in Jesus Christ, whom we worship as the Son of the Almighty God. We are not ‘infidels’ or people without faith, and no responsible religious discourse should seek to diminish the faith and identity of millions of fellow Nigerians in such terms,” the group stated.

The organisation said given Jingir’s age, experience and standing as a religious leader, he should be conscious of the possible consequences of his choice of words in a country with a history of religious and communal conflicts.

It urged religious leaders to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could be exploited by extremist and criminal elements to deepen suspicion, radicalisation and violence.

“History has shown that inflammatory statements, religious suspicion, bitterness and the demonisation of people of another faith can create an atmosphere that extremist and criminal elements may subsequently exploit to manipulate vulnerable citizens, deepen radicalisation, recruit followers and fuel violence,” the statement said.

The NCYP said it was raising the alarm before another crisis occurred, stressing that Northern communities that had suffered years of violence were gradually rebuilding trust between Christians and Muslims.

“That progress must not be ripped apart by rhetoric that portrays fellow citizens as religious outsiders or enemies,” it said.

The group consequently called on peace-loving Muslims, Islamic scholars and responsible religious leaders to condemn statements capable of inflaming religious sentiments.

It also urged relevant authorities to ensure that public figures whose utterances could heighten religious tensions were called to order within the confines of the law.

The NCYP also rejected attempts to portray the 2023 presidential ticket of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as a religious project.

The group said it supported and campaigned for the duo ahead of the 2023 presidential election, but stressed that its support was based on political considerations, leadership, policy direction and its assessment of the national interest.

“The decision by the APC to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket was a political strategy aimed at winning an election, and Nigerians were given the opportunity to accept or reject that strategy through the democratic process. The ticket subsequently secured the mandate of the electorate,” it said.

The group argued that the ticket should be assessed based on governance and performance rather than religious considerations.

It also cautioned against using claims about the numerical strength of Christians and Muslims as a basis for political or religious mobilisation, saying only a credible national census could establish the country's religious population composition.

“What should matter to Nigerians is not which faith has more followers, but whether the government protects the lives, rights and dignity of every Nigerian, regardless of religion or ethnicity,” the NCYP said.

The organisation noted that insecurity had already inflicted enormous damage on Northern Nigeria through killings, displacement, destruction of livelihoods and economic hardship.

It warned that the country could not afford another cycle of religious suspicion and communal violence.

“The fight against insecurity is not only a military battle; it is also a battle for the hearts and minds of Nigerians. We cannot defeat terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes while allowing the religious and social divisions that extremists and criminal elements can exploit to grow unchecked,” the group said.

The NCYP therefore appealed to Muslim and Christian leaders, politicians, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to reject inflammatory rhetoric and strengthen peaceful coexistence across the country.

“The North has suffered enough. We must confront divisive rhetoric today before it becomes tomorrow’s crisis. The peace we are rebuilding must not be allowed to be ripped apart,” the statement added.