Islamic clerics in Kano State have been trained on fact-checking and media literacy to enable them counter false narratives and disinformation in their sermons and public engagements.
The two-day workshop, organised by Alkalanci, a fact-checking platform, brought together members of the Council of Ulamas and other religious leaders.
Chairman of the Council of Ulamas, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, said clerics must uphold truth and set an example of fairness, noting that misinformation fuels social tension.
“Millions of people listen to you. Whatever you tell them carries weight,” he said.
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The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, represented by Alhaji Abbas Dalhatu of Freedom Radio Group, also urged clerics to verify information before sharing it.
He cited Surah An-Naml, where Prophet Suleiman verified reports about Queen Bilqis, as a Qur’anic basis for fact-checking.
Founder of Alkalanci, Alhasan Bala, said religious leaders play a central role in shaping public opinion, stressing that misinformation remains a major threat to peace and unity.
The platform, established in October 2024, focuses on promoting media literacy and countering disinformation in Hausa-speaking communities.
