Muslim leaders demand fairer media portrayal of Islam

MUSLIM leaders, media professionals, academics and community stakeholders have called for greater media responsibility, stronger Muslim participation in public discourse and deliberate efforts to counter the misrepresentation of Islam.

The call was made at the seventh anniversary lecture and awards ceremony of Muslim News Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos.

The event focused on the theme ‘Framing the Faith in the Midst of Media Misrepresentation and Global Conflicts’.

Chairman of the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Mallam Disu Kamor, who delivered the keynote lecture, said Muslims continue to face negative stereotypes and unfair portrayals despite their contributions to peace building, education, humanitarian services and societal development.

He noted that media narratives play a decisive role in shaping public opinion and policy, stressing that Muslims must move beyond complaints and actively shape narratives affecting their faith and communities.

“Silence is not a strategy. If we do not tell our stories, others will tell them, and in a way that does not appeal to us,” he said.

Kamor urged Muslims to invest in media engagement, strategic communication and public advocacy, arguing that Islam is often viewed through the narrow lens of violence and extremism while its contributions to education, charity, social justice and community development receive little attention.

Citing controversies surrounding the hijab and public narratives about the Boko Haram insurgency, he said Muslims have been among the biggest victims of terrorism in Nigeria, yet this reality is frequently overlooked.

“Criminals and extremists cannot define a religion followed by more than two billion people worldwide,” he said.

He also criticised what he described as double standards in media reporting involving Muslims and challenged the community to address internal weaknesses, including divisive sectarian debates on social media.

“We must move from being subjects of narratives to becoming authors of narratives,” he added.

Chairman of the occasion and President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, described the lecture theme as timely and commended Muslim News Nigeria for consistently correcting misconceptions about Islam.

“Seven years of consistent, high-quality and unbiased journalism is no small feat in a media landscape as challenging as ours,” he said.

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National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Imam AbdurRahman Ahmad, underscored the importance of accurate and reliable information, warning that ownership and funding structures often influence editorial policies.

“The media is not free because it has remained an ideological apparatus. It is controlled by those who fund it,” he said, advocating independent media capable of serving communities without vested interests.

Chief Imam of the Lighthouse Mosque, Lekki, Imam Nojeem Jimoh, said platforms such as Muslim News Nigeria are essential for projecting the positive contributions of Muslims and providing balanced reporting.

A panel discussion moderated by broadcaster and legal practitioner Hajia Nyma Akashat Zibiri examined media representation and the prevalence of negative stereotypes about Islam.

Panelists advocated stronger legal action against deliberate misrepresentation and encouraged Muslims to embrace journalism and media ownership as strategic tools for influencing public discourse.

The event also featured the presentation of awards in the Global Muslim Personality of the Year, Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year and Muslim Women of Substance categories.

Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria, Alhaji Rasheed Abubakar, said the awards were established to celebrate excellence and recognise Muslims making positive contributions to society.

“The mainstream media have always amplified negative narratives about Muslims. We have many Muslims making us proud and impacting society positively. This recognition is dedicated to them,” he said.

The ceremony attracted prominent Islamic scholars, professionals, business leaders and public figures from across the country.