Controversial Banner Removed from Lekki Mosque Following Public Backlash
By Abdullahi Yusuf
A banner displayed at the entrance of the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos State, bearing the inscription “Jesus Christ is not God. He is a Prophet and Messenger of God!” has been removed after sparking widespread controversy on social media.
The removal was confirmed on Wednesday by a member of the Lekki Muslim community, Tunde Alabi, in a video shared online.
“My name is Tunde Alabi. I noticed that there was a banner in front of our mosque causing some controversies. I sent a message to the mosque committee, and they informed me that it had been removed. I came here personally to check, and I can confirm it has actually been removed,” he said.
The banner also referenced Quran 5:72, which states, “Allah says, ‘They have disbelieved those who say that God is the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary. While the Messiah had said, ‘Children of Israel, worship God, my Lord and your Lord. God has forbidden Paradise to anyone who worships something else besides Him.’”
In the video, Alabi clarified that he was speaking as a concerned individual, not as a representative of the mosque. He also expressed regret over the discomfort the banner may have caused, adding, “I’m sorry for any inconvenience that must have caused, but the banner has been removed.”
The banner’s message quickly went viral, generating heated reactions online. Critics condemned it as disrespectful to Christianity and blasphemous, while some Muslims defended it as a statement of Islamic belief.
Nigerian actress Wumi Tuase expressed her disapproval, saying, “I found it very weird that Lekki Central Mosque has this in front of their gate.” Similarly, Fisayo Ojabodu tweeted, “The banner is disrespectful to other people’s religion and is propagating a foolish agenda.”
Others supported the message. One commenter, Olawale, stated, “The message on the banner is true.” Another, Abdul’fattah Muhdl’awwal, added, “Jesus himself never said he is God. The quote in that banner is the fact and not blasphemous.”
The incident has reignited discussions about religious tolerance, freedom of expression, and mutual respect in Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape. Some Christians urged restraint and peace. A user, ChristTheLighthouse, remarked, “Our Lord and Saviour received criticism, backlash, rejection, and even insults up to the point of death. The gospel is never by force, war, coercion, or propaganda.”
The removal of the banner appears to have calmed tensions, though the online debate continues.
‼️‼️‼️
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2347035616202 Email: thepeacemag@gmail.com
We represent Islamic advocacy and News Reporting. The primary objective is to use our platform to promote a better-informed society and the sanctity of the peaceful co-existence of man. It remains the flagship of Nigeria’s Islamic News magazines.
Kindly donate here;
PEACE MAGAZINE NIGERIA LIMITED,
TAJBank
0009931319
SPONSORED
SPONSORED
SPONSORED
