The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has firmly rejected recent statements made by American TV host Bill Maher during his HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher.
Maher had alleged that so-called “Islamists” in Nigeria were orchestrating a genocide against Christians, claiming that over 100,000 Christians had been killed and more than 18,000 churches destroyed. He described this as a campaign to “wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.”
However, MPAC’s Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, issued a statement on Monday dismissing these comments as “alarmist, false, and agenda-driven.”
MPAC’s Standpoint
According to MPAC, Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be reduced to religion. Instead, they are tied to socio-political, economic, and security complexities.
“Terrorists and criminal groups have killed Muslims and Christians alike, including those with no religious ties. In fact, more Muslims than Christians have fallen victim to terrorism in Nigeria. Framing this as a religious war only serves the terrorists’ agenda to divide us,” Kamor emphasized.
The group warned that sensationalist claims like Maher’s risk fueling tensions in Nigeria’s multi-religious society.
International Narratives & Islamophobia Concerns
MPAC criticized the growing trend of international figures pushing divisive stories about Nigeria without proper evidence. The group argued that these narratives often align with Islamophobic agendas, creating fear and distrust both within and outside the country.
The organization also reminded Nigerians of earlier allegations made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, who accused USAID of funding terrorist groups like Boko Haram. MPAC called on the Nigerian government to investigate terrorism financing and arms trafficking transparently.
Global Context: Gaza vs. Nigeria
To put Maher’s claims in perspective, MPAC drew comparisons with the ongoing Gaza crisis, accusing Israel—backed by the United States—of destroying churches and killing both Christian and Muslim Palestinians.
The organization stated:
“If those concerned about Christian persecution are searching for real genocide evidence, they should look towards Gaza, not Nigeria. Findings from the International Court of Justice and the United Nations already point in that direction.”
Conclusion
MPAC reaffirmed Nigeria’s identity as a multi-faith nation with a longstanding culture of peaceful coexistence.
The group urged Nigerians and the international community to:
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Stay committed to truth over sensationalism
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Reject divisive narratives
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Unite in fighting terrorism in all its forms, whether non-state or state-sponsored
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