Last updated on February 17th, 2026 at 03:54 pm
A proposition to create a confederation of Muslim nations from all over the world, which will be named the “United States of Islam,” sparked outrage after Nigeria was included in the list.
The request was put forward by Sehar Shinwari on Twitter using the handle @SeharShinwari.
Sehar, who described herself as an actor and social activist, said the United States of Muslims will have the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia as its capital.
See also: Full List Of Muslim Countries In The United States Of Islam
However, her tweet created boiling ripples in Nigeria, after she included the secular state as a Muslim country and part of the USI (United States of Islam).
Nigerians tweeted in droves against the proclamation, which was seen as a step towards the Islamization of the country.
The country has been under the terror of Islamic extremists, Boko Haram, and the Fulani Herdsmen, who have killed thousands and displaced millions of people.
The Government of Nigeria, especially the Buhari administration, has been accused of being sympathetic and skewed in support of the wanton killings by the group, especially the Fulani Herdsmen, which is yet to be labeled a terror organization in the country. Though he denies this.
The Nigerian people have expressed fears of ethnic cleansing and suppression of Christians and non-muslims in the country. The Muslim-Muslim ticket from the ruling party for the upcoming presidential elections was still a matter of concern and debate amongst many, given the tense atmosphere already created by religious clashes in the country.
Many also questioned how Nigeria got to be a Muslim country and part of the United States of Islam when, according to a 2018 report, only 53.5% of the country’s population is Muslim.
In all, Sehar Shinwari‘s call is provoking, especially with the current state of Nigerian where tribal and religious killings have been a usual headline in the dailies. I call for the post to be taken down immediately and she issue an apology.
