Professor Ishaq Akintola: An unsilenced voice in interfaith dialogue that you may “Live and Let Live”
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Professor Ishaq Akintola’s enduring message is simple yet profound: live by your faith, allow others to live by theirs, and resolve differences through sincere dialogue. In an age of deepening religious polarization, that message remains as relevant today as ever.
In a society where religious differences often generate tension and misunderstanding, Professor Ishaq Akintola has remained one of Nigeria’s most outspoken advocates for dialogue over violence.
As the founder and Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), he has consistently maintained that disagreements between faiths should be addressed through engagement, mutual respect and the rule of law rather than hostility. The organisation itself was founded on the philosophy, “Dialogue, Not Violence.”
A professor of Islamic Studies and a long-serving academic, Akintola has spent decades combining scholarship with public advocacy. His interventions on national issues are often bold, sometimes controversial, but they are rooted in his conviction that every Nigerian deserves equal rights regardless of religious affiliation.
He has repeatedly argued that justice, fairness and constitutional protections are essential ingredients for peaceful coexistence.
What distinguishes Professor Akintola is his refusal to be silenced by criticism. Whether speaking on religious freedom, human rights or national policy, he has consistently called for conversations instead of confrontation.
His message has remained that sustainable peace cannot be built on intimidation or discrimination but on understanding one another’s beliefs while respecting the rights of all citizens.
Although many may disagree with some of his positions, his unwavering commitment to expressing his convictions through public discourse rather than violence has made him a significant voice in Nigeria’s interfaith landscape. He continues to remind both leaders and followers that peaceful dialogue is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom.
Professor Ishaq Akintola’s enduring message is simple yet profound: live by your faith, allow others to live by theirs, and resolve differences through sincere dialogue. In an age of deepening religious polarization, that message remains as relevant today as ever.
