Why Many Muslim Scholars Risk Their Lives to Speak Against Jihadist Ideologies Yet Receive Little Protection or Recognition.    
— Ubuntu Rooted in Humanity —

In Northern Nigeria and across the wider Sahel, Muslim scholars — imams, theologians, and community leaders — have long played a critical role in shaping social norms, mediating disputes, and guiding communities in matters of faith. These scholars are often the first line of defense against extremist ideologies, challenging narratives that groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other jihadist networks use to recruit youth and justify violence. Yet, despite their courage, these scholars frequently face threats, abduction, assassination, and marginalization, while receiving little protection or recognition from governments, international bodies, or even their own communities.

Understanding this phenomenon requires examining the ideological stakes, sociopolitical realities, systemic failures, and cultural pressures that leave these scholars vulnerable.

1. The Courageous Role of Muslim Scholars

Muslim scholars confront extremist ideologies on multiple fronts:

• Theological clarification: They counter distortions of the Qur’an and Hadith that extremists use to legitimize violence. Scholars emphasize principles of peace, compassion, and justice, clarifying that terrorism is a deviation from Islam.

• Community education: They engage youth, families, and religious congregations in dialogue, offering alternative frameworks for understanding grievances without resorting to violence.

• Public denunciation: Some scholars openly condemn terrorist attacks, issuing fatwas or statements labeling extremist actions as un-Islamic and immoral.

These activities are inherently dangerous because they directly challenge the authority, recruitment efforts, and ideological legitimacy of jihadist groups. Speaking out is not merely an academic exercise; it is a form of resistance that can make scholars targets for abduction, intimidation, or assassination.

2. The Risks Are Real and Immediate

The threats faced by Muslim scholars are severe and pervasive:

• Targeted killings: Extremists often assassinate scholars who publicly denounce their ideology. In Nigeria, dozens of imams and community leaders have been murdered for opposing Boko Haram.

• Kidnapping and ransom: Scholars are sometimes abducted to coerce compliance, extort money, or force them to retract statements against jihadist groups.

• Community intimidation: Extremists use fear tactics, such as public threats or symbolic destruction of mosques and property, to silence scholars and deter others from speaking out.

• Ideological isolation: Extremists label dissenting scholars as “apostates” or traitors, undermining their credibility and making community engagement more dangerous.

The risks are not hypothetical; they are life-threatening, yet these scholars continue their work, often relying on faith and moral conviction rather than institutional protection.

3. Lack of Protection from State Authorities

Despite the dangers, many Muslim scholars receive little protection from government institutions:

• Weak security apparatus: Local police and military forces are often overstretched, under-resourced, or absent in rural and conflict-affected areas. Scholars cannot rely on state protection to safely continue their work.

• Political neglect: Governments sometimes prioritize strategic military operations over community-based ideological countermeasures, leaving scholars unprotected.

• Fear of political backlash: In regions where political elites are accused of colluding with extremist networks or exploiting insecurity for gain, protecting vocal scholars could disrupt entrenched patronage systems.

As a result, the courage of scholars is often met with silence from authorities, leaving them vulnerable and isolated.

4. Social and Cultural Pressures

Muslim scholars operate within complex social dynamics that can both empower and endanger them:

• Community expectations: Some communities, traumatized by violence or sympathetic to extremist grievances, may perceive outspoken scholars as endangering local safety. Scholars risk alienation or loss of influence even within their own communities.

• Sectarian dynamics: In multi-sect environments, criticizing extremists can inadvertently inflame tensions between different Muslim groups, exposing scholars to intra-faith hostility.

• Economic vulnerability: Many scholars are modestly compensated or volunteer their time. Without financial independence or state support, the risk of speaking out can threaten their families’ survival.

These social pressures create a paradox: scholars are morally and spiritually obligated to speak out, yet doing so may endanger their social standing and family security.

5. The Strategic Threat to Extremists

Extremists understand the power of scholars:

• Ideological credibility: Scholars lend legitimacy to alternative interpretations of Islam. When a respected imam condemns violence, it undermines extremist propaganda.

• Community influence: Scholars shape moral norms and social cohesion, making it harder for extremists to recruit youth or justify attacks.

• Fatwas and public education: Official religious statements against terrorism can delegitimize extremist claims, weakening their control over local populations.

Because of this influence, jihadist groups view scholars not just as critics, but as threats to their survival, which explains the persistent targeting.

6. International and Institutional Neglect

The international community often focuses on military and counterterrorism interventions, neglecting the ideological and community-based work scholars perform:

• Counterterrorism funding rarely reaches scholars for educational programs, dialogue initiatives, or protection schemes.

• Recognition and awards for courage in opposing extremist ideologies are limited, reducing visibility and moral support.

• International media coverage tends to highlight attacks and conflict statistics, rarely profiling the brave individuals standing against violent extremism.

This neglect perpetuates a cycle in which scholars operate in danger with little acknowledgment, reducing incentives for others to take similar stands.

7. Moral Courage Amid Isolation

Despite the risks, many scholars continue their work because:

• Faith and principle: They are motivated by spiritual conviction and a sense of responsibility to uphold the ethical teachings of Islam.

• Commitment to community: Scholars recognize that silencing extremist narratives can save lives and protect social cohesion.

• Legacy and mentorship: Many see themselves as guiding future generations, providing ethical and spiritual anchors amidst chaos.

Their work is a form of non-violent resistance, yet it often comes at the cost of personal safety and social recognition.

8. The Need for Support and Protection

To sustain the work of Muslim scholars, multiple measures are needed:

1. Government protection programs: Secure housing, personal security, and rapid response systems for at-risk scholars.

2. Community engagement: Mobilizing local populations to shield scholars and amplify their messages, creating a social buffer against extremists.

3. Financial and institutional support: Funding for educational programs, outreach, and family support reduces vulnerability.

4. International recognition: Awards, media coverage, and partnerships can highlight their courage, offering moral reinforcement and deterrence against targeting.

5. Policy integration: Incorporating scholars into national and regional counter-extremism strategies legitimizes their work and enhances protection.

Support ensures that the voices of conscience within communities are amplified rather than silenced.

9. Unsung Defenders of Humanity

Muslim scholars in Northern Nigeria and the Sahel are unsung heroes in the fight against violent extremism. They challenge distorted ideologies, guide communities, and provide moral clarity, often at extreme personal risk. Yet, the lack of protection, recognition, and institutional support leaves them exposed to assassination, kidnapping, and marginalization.

Their struggle highlights a critical truth: countering terrorism is not only a matter of military operations, intelligence, and borders. It is also a moral and ideological battle, waged by individuals willing to defend humanity, faith, and community against the corrosive power of extremism.

Ubuntu reminds us: “I am because we are.” Protecting these scholars is not merely a gesture of justice; it is an investment in community resilience, moral courage, and the restoration of social trust in regions ravaged by terror.