Group Trains Kano Clerics on Combating False Narratives, Media Literacy

Some 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 training, organised by Alkalanci, a fact-checking platform, brought together members of the Council of Ulamas and other religious leaders across the state.
The two-day training focused on equipping clerics with tools to identify, verify and dispel fake news, particularly on social media.
Speaking at the session, the Chairman of the Council of Ulamas in Kano, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, stressed that the responsibility of religious leaders to uphold truth and prevent the spread of falsehood.
He said misinformation had contributed to social tension and division, adding that clerics must lead by example in promoting accuracy and fairness.
Khalil charged the scholars and clerics to uphold truth in their teachings.
“Millions of people listen to you. Whatever you tell them carries weight,” he said.
The Ulama warned that lying was condemned in Islam, while urging participants to verify information before passing it to their followers.
Similarly, the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II,urged the participants to always fact-check information before relaying it to their followers
Represented by Bauren Kano, Alhaji Abbas Dalhatu, the Managing Director of Freedom Radio Group, stressed the influence of social media on public opinion.
“Freedom Radio reaches over 230 million people. The impact of fake news is delicate and dangerous,” he said.
He also cited Quranic reference from Surah An-Naml, noting that Prophet Suleiman instructed his servant and a bird to verify reports about Queen Bilqis, which he described as a precedent for fact-checking in Islam.
Earlier, the founder of Alkalanci, Mr Alhasan Bala, said the workshop targeted religious leaders because of their central role in shaping public opinion.
“We live in a time where information travels faster than ever. A single message, video, or image can reach thousands in seconds, and much of it is inaccurate,” he said.
Bala warned that misinformation was a threat to peace, unity, and trust in society.
“With such trust comes the responsibility to ensure that what you share is true, informed, and beneficial,” he told the participants.
According to him, Alkalanci, which was established in October 2024, was committed to promoting media literacy and countering disinformation in Hausa-speaking communities.
The participants were trained on practical methods of verifying online and offline information.
Bala thanked the emir, council of Ulamas and other facilitators for their support.