Nigeria: Catholic Bishop Constructs Mosque for Displaced Muslim Community

Image: Jihad Watch

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Nigeria, has strongly defended his unprecedented decision to construct a mosque for Muslims displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency. His initiative, he says, stems from a deep commitment to interfaith dialogue, compassion, and peaceful coexistence in a country often riven by religious conflict.

In an interview with ACI Africa, held on the sidelines of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Nostra Aetate—the groundbreaking 1965 Vatican II declaration on the Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions—Bishop Mamza spoke candidly about the personal and institutional challenges he faced. The event was organized by the Department of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), underlining the significance of religious openness in contemporary Catholic thought.

Reflecting on the peak of the insurgency in Adamawa State, Bishop Mamza recalled how thousands of people—Christians and Muslims alike—sought refuge within the grounds of the Catholic Cathedral in Yola.

“We closed our Catechetical Training Center, our Pastoral Center, even our schools. Every available space was turned into a shelter,” he said. “Christians and Muslims slept side by side without distinction. At that moment, we were not divided by faith—we were united by suffering.”

Between 2014 and 2018, the Diocese became a haven for hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Recognizing that many could not safely return to their homes, Bishop Mamza spearheaded the construction of the Salama Housing Estate, a long-term resettlement initiative aimed at restoring dignity and stability to the victims’ lives.

The estate included essential community infrastructure—a church, a school, and a clinic. However, Bishop Mamza soon realized a glaring omission: there was no mosque for the Muslim residents.

“I saw that our Muslim brothers and sisters—many of whom were from the same communities, even families, as the Christians—had no place of worship,” he explained. “Out of a sense of justice and unity, I decided that the Diocese would fund the construction of a mosque.”

The move provoked backlash from both Christian and Muslim quarters.

“Some Christians were angry, accusing me of compromising our faith,” the Bishop shared. “But what was even more painful was the criticism from some Muslims, who said a Christian should never build a mosque. That was disheartening.”

Despite the opposition, Bishop Mamza remained steadfast in his convictions.

“I acted with sincerity and love. The mosque was not a political statement—it was a humanitarian gesture. The people it was built for were grateful, and that is what truly matters.”

Bishop Mamza’s actions have become emblematic of a broader effort within Nigeria—and the global Church—to counter religious extremism not with retaliation, but with empathy and shared humanity. In a nation where religion has too often been manipulated as a tool of division, his story stands as a powerful testament to moral courage, interfaith solidarity, and the Christian call to serve all in need, regardless of creed.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)