Islamic Cleric condemns extremism, warning against religious intolerance and the erosion of cultural values in Yorubaland

An Islamic cleric has criticised what he described as the growing influence of extremist teachings in parts of Yorubaland, accusing some preachers of promoting religious intolerance, undermining cultural traditions and contributing to social divisions within communities.

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Speaking during a sermon that has since circulated widely on social media, the cleric condemned messages that discourage interaction with people of other faiths and reject long-standing aspects of Yoruba culture and heritage.

The cleric argued that warnings against such teachings had been ignored for years, resulting in increasing tensions and mistrust among communities that had historically coexisted peacefully.

“We warned you when you started promoting extreme ideology: ‘Don’t eat Christian food, don’t celebrate with them,’” the cleric said.

According to him, some religious figures had encouraged hostility towards other faiths and sought to erase cultural traditions that have long formed part of Yoruba identity.

The cleric linked the trend to broader concerns about insecurity and social instability, lamenting the plight of innocent citizens affected by violence and abductions in parts of the country.

He further criticised those he accused of spreading divisive messages, saying they had failed to take responsibility for the consequences of their teachings.

“This is not Islam. You are disgracing the rest of us Muslims,” he said.

The remarks have generated debate on social media, with many users expressing support for calls for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, while others argued over the relationship between religious teachings, cultural identity and contemporary security challenges.

Observers say the comments reflect growing concerns among some religious leaders about the rise of hardline interpretations of faith and their impact on community relations.

The cleric urged Muslims and adherents of other religions to embrace mutual respect, dialogue and understanding, stressing that faith should be a force for unity rather than division.

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The comments come amid ongoing national conversations about insecurity, interfaith relations and the preservation of cultural values in a rapidly changing society.