Religious Violence: Just Because Someone Bears A Muslim Name Doesn’t Make Him A True Muslim -Hayab

Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, has condemned the misuse of religious identity to justify acts of violence, emphasizing that true faith is not defined by names or labels.

In an interview with THE SUN on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Rev. Hayab explained that simply bearing a Christian or Muslim name does not equate to genuine religious conviction. He stressed that individuals who commit atrocities under the pretense of religion must be publicly denounced by the faith communities they claim to represent.

He urged religious leaders to take a clear and firm stance against those who exploit religion to carry out violent acts, noting that the priority should be to end the bloodshed rather than engage in debates over religious affiliations.

His words,

“To me, religious identity must not be confused with faith. For example, just because someone is named John, Matthew, or Joseph does not make him a Christian. In the same way, just because someone bears a Muslim name does not make him a true Muslim. If someone kills people while hiding under a religious identity, that religion must come out and condemn him if they are not supporting such crime.”

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