Over the last three decades, Nigeria has increasingly been portrayed in international discourse as the epicenter of an alleged Christian genocide, orchestrated by Muslims and tolerated, if not facilitated, by the state. This portrayal, endlessly recycled through sermons, reports, lobbying campaigns, and media soundbites, has acquired the status of received wisdom. Yet repetition is not evidence, and emotional appeal is not proof.

This book represents an effort that began in 2020 to clarify the issues and set the record straight regarding the true nature of conflicts involving Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. That effort was undertaken in response to a growing challenge: the persistence of distorted and emotive narratives, sustained and reinforced by political interests,that have obscured the realities of Nigeria’s ethno-religious conflicts. It was in this context that a group of ConcernedMuslim Da’awah Workers and Intellectuals committed themselves to developing a concise, insightful, incisive, and truthful account of these conflicts, which have been incessant and, in many cases, internecine. The work was initially led by Dr. Mustapha Isa Qasim of the Department of Arts and Social Science Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, whose intellectual clarity and moral seriousness helped shape the early direction of the project. Dr. Mustapha passed away in 2021 (may Allah have mercy and compassion on him). The leadership of the group subsequently fell to Malam Adamu Abdullahi Sokoto of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. What you now hold is the outcome of that collective resolve and continuity of purpose.