Activities
The Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue (CIC) in conjunction with the DRPC focuses on activities that promote understanding and peace between Muslims and followers of other faiths.
a) Peer-to-Peer Learning in Egypt on the Islamic Perspective on GBV
As part of the project, 12 Muslim Opinion Leaders from Northern Nigeria (nine males and three females—six from Kaduna and six from Kano) participated in a peer-to-peer study tour in Egypt. The delegation included Friday Mosque Imams, Islamic scholars, Government officials, Community leaders
These individuals were selected based on their influence and commitment to driving positive change in society.
During the study tour, delegates visited:
- His Eminence, Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar
- His Eminence, Grand Mufti of Egypt
- The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood
- The Nigerian Embassy in Egypt
These engagements provided deep insights into Islamic teachings on GBV, women’s rights, and the role of religious leaders in safeguarding these rights.
View Engagements with Prominent Islamic Scholars in Egyptb) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing
The Centre for Islamic Civilization and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) to collaborate on addressing gender-based violence (GBV). Through this partnership, CICID with the support of the dRPC will replicate a specialized training program for religious leaders, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to combat GBV through education, interfaith dialogue, and community engagement.
The MoU signing ceremony took place on October 24, 2024. The Vice Chancellor signed on behalf of the university, while Alhaji Ubale Ibrahim Rano represented the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC).
c) 2nd Sensitization for Imams and Mufassiroon on the Islamic Perspective on GBV
This activity engaged Friday Mosque Imams and Mufassiroon from Kano and Kaduna LGAs to address GBV from an Islamic perspective, equip religious leaders with relevant knowledge and information to sensitize communities and emphasize collective responsibility to safeguard women and girls from abuse.
The main objectives of the sensitization was to share insights from the Egyptian study tour on Islamic principles advocating for GBV prevention, strengthen the capacity of Imams to integrate these teachings into their sermons and community outreach and foster collaboration among religious leaders to actively combat GBV.
Key Outcomes:
- Increased understanding among religious leaders of Islamic teachings on protecting women and girls from harm.
- Greater commitment from religious leaders to advocate against GBV within their communities.
- Participation from the Chairman of the Kano Council of Ulama’a, Sheik Ibrahim Khalil, and a representative of NAPTIP.
d) One-Day Sensitization for Sharia Court Judges on Islamic Perspective in Preventing Women and Girls from Harm: Lesson from Egypt Study Tour – 9th November 2025
A sensitization seminar On Islamic Perspective in Preventing Women and Girls from Harm was conducted to 50 Sharia court judges across Kaduna’s and Kano’s local government areas, aimed at leveraging Islamic perspectives and legal frameworks to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in Northern Nigeria. The training was conducted in collaboration with CICID.
MOLs empower the judges to address the critical role of Sharia law in safeguarding women's rights, particularly in areas like inheritance, marriage, divorce and earning.
Participants were divided into four (4) groups to discuss challenges and formulate actionable solutions for strengthening GBV prevention within the judicial system.
They recommended that developing more robust procedures to support evidence submission in GBV cases, raising awareness about GBV rights and processes, advocating for minimal interference from external authorities in GBV cases, future sensitization workshops integrate practical training sessions and a formal GBV prevention policies be introduced within Sharia court practices.
e) Advocacy Visit of the Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence to HRH, The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli CFR
The Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) under the dRPC’s MOLs for the Prevention of GBV supported by the Ford Foundation visited His Royal Highness (HRH), the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli CFR, to advocate for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention in Kaduna and Kano States.
The dRPC representative, Alhaji Ubale Ibrahim Rano, introduced the MOLs for GBV Prevention Project, highlighting its goal of empowering religious leaders to challenge harmful cultural norms that contribute to GBV.
f) Step-down and Dialogue Session on Islamic Perspective in Preventing Women and Girls from Harm – 6th November 2024.
40 Friday Mosque Imams from Kaduna and Kano convened for a stepdown training to deepen their understanding on Islamic perspectives on protecting women and girls from the insight gained at the Peer-to-Peer Study Tour in Egypt. The training was conducted in collaboration with CICID.
