Muslim World League launches plan to counter extremism and promote peace in West Africa

By Wessam Al Jurdi & Euronews Published on 21/08/2026 - 18:02 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Muslim and Christian leaders from across West Africa signed four cooperation agreements at a conference in Abuja, adopted the Abuja Declaration and established a new coordinating body to counter extremist narratives. The Muslim World League has launched an initiative aimed at countering extremist discourse in West Africa, with Muslim and Christian leaders from across the region signing a series of cooperation agreements at an international conference in Abuja. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The League unveiled the initiative at a conference titled "Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future," held under the patronage of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The gathering brought together Muslim and Christian religious leaders alongside government officials and civil society representatives. Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and President of the Council of Muslim Scholars, during his participation in the round table in Nigeria مصدر الصورة الموقع الرسمي لرابطة العالم الإسلامي Delegates adopted the Abuja Declaration by consensus, setting out a joint action plan for government institutions, religious leaders and civil society organisations to work together on conflict prevention and counter extremist narratives. The declaration also approved expanding educational, training and media programmes linked to the Makkah Charter, a framework for religious cooperation. The declaration established a new Coordinating Body for Religious and Civil Leaders and Institutions in West Africa to oversee implementation, coordinate programmes and conduct regular progress assessments. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, the League's secretary-general, said the initiative was designed to address the root causes of extremist ideas through binding agreements between the parties. Related Muslim World League's Dr Al-Issa calls for global dialogue to combat hatred Four memorandums of understanding were signed at a follow-up meeting between Muslim and Christian leaders: between the Muslim World League and Nigeria's Interfaith Mediation Centre, between Jamaat Izalat al-Bid'a wa Iqamat as-Sunna and the Council of Christian Religious Leaders in Northern Nigeria, between Jamaat Nasr al-Islam and the Christian Youth Initiative for Peace and Development, and between the Union of Ahl al-Sunna Organisations and the Alliance of Progressive Pastors. The coordinating body will oversee implementation of all four agreements. The initiative comes as West Africa continues to face significant security challenges from extremist groups, including Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and the so-called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), whose attacks have killed thousands and displaced millions across the Sahel over the past decade. Nigeria itself has battled Boko Haram and its offshoot, the so-called Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), since 2009. The violence has repeatedly sought to sow discord between Muslim and Christian communities. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and President of the Council of Muslim Scholars الصورة من الموقع الرسمي لرابطة العالم الإسلامي Tinubu met Al-Issa at the presidential palace on the sidelines of the conference and confirmed his full backing for the declaration and its implementing programmes, including a commitment to periodic evaluations. Participants included Muslim and Christian leaders from across West Africa, as well as representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, US evangelical leaders, and delegates from the Vatican and Protestant churches. Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and President of the Council of Muslim Scholars, delivering the Friday sermon at the National Grand Mosque in the Nigerian capital Abuja الصورة من الموقع الرسمي لرابطة العالم الإسلامي Al-Issa also delivered the Friday sermon at the National Grand Mosque in Abuja before departing. Al-Issa also praised Nigeria's religious and national values, in the context of meetings and initiatives during the visit aimed at supporting cooperation between religious leaders and institutions and strengthening social peace in the country and the wider region. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo 'growing exponentially,' UN warns At least 100 people may have died after gold mine collapsed in Central African Republic Seven dead, including Ecuador's intelligence chief, after tourist helicopter crashes in northern Kenya Islam Africa Nigeria Abuja