The Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria) has called on media professionals, religious leaders and government institutions to embrace ethical communication and united action as critical tools for peacebuilding in the country.
Marking the 2026 World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence and responsible media engagement among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the chairman and national coordinator of GIMP-Nigeria, Mr Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, described the week as a timely reminder that dialogue, empathy and ethical communication remain indispensable in addressing Nigeria’s social tensions and conflicts.
“World Interfaith Harmony Week calls on us to rediscover our shared values as people of faith and conscience,” Abdulmalik said. “In a nation as plural as Nigeria, harmony is not optional; it is a necessity for peace, development and national cohesion.”
Observed annually from 1–7 February following a United Nations General Assembly resolution, WIHW seeks to promote harmony among people of all faith traditions.
GIMP-Nigeria noted that the message of harmony resonates strongly in Nigeria, where religious narratives can either deepen divisions or serve as powerful instruments for peacebuilding.
Abdulmalik emphasised the critical role of the media in shaping public perceptions of religion and interfaith relations, urging journalists and digital content creators to uphold professionalism, avoid sensationalism and consciously counter hate speech and divisive reporting.
“The media must rise above narratives that inflame passions,” he said. “As interfaith media practitioners, our duty is to tell stories that humanise the ‘other’, amplify voices of moderation and highlight examples of cooperation between faith communities.”
He also called on religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and government institutions to use the week to renew commitments to dialogue, tolerance and joint social action, particularly in tackling insecurity, misinformation and moral decline.
GIMP-Nigeria reaffirmed its resolve to sustain initiatives that promote interfaith dialogue, media literacy and peace-oriented journalism through trainings, public engagements and collaborative platforms involving Muslim, Christian and traditional faith practitioners.
“As we mark the 2026 World Interfaith Harmony Week,” Abdulmalik added, “we must move beyond symbolic gestures and commit to practical steps that translate harmony into everyday attitudes, policies and media practices. Only then can faith become a force for unity rather than division.”
