In continuation of its sensitization program on COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), held its 26th edition of Twitter Chat in the 7th of July 2020.

The guest was Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu, a Researcher and Editor at Humangle Newspaper. He discussed on the topic “COVID19: Countering Misinformation from Religious Perspective” He started by saying, Misinformation from a religious perspective is a deliberate spread of false statements to achieve particular goal. From religious angle it is the same as “lying” or “hypocrisy. He said there are many misinformation being spread by different religious followers in Nigeria but the most popular ones include that Covid-19 is a bioweapons created to attack Muslims and the one saying that facemask has no medical use. The purveyor said it is political manipulation intended to make a puppet out of Nigerians.

 

In responding to a question on how misinformation change the perception of people toward the disease? He said, explaining the difference between disinformation and misinformation first will help answer the question, he said while the former is intentional spread of false information, the latter is unintentional that may arise due to social trust or lack of digital literacy and critical thinking. Both harm people.

 

He stated that ordinary follower has a role in tackling religious misinformation, according to him the Prophet of Islam commanded that we shouldn’t be sharing whatever we receive without thorough investigation. An individual has to fact-check claims before forwarding to anyone to avoid misinforming people.

 

He was asked to what extent misinformation and disinformation jeopardizes the fight against this deadly virus. He respond by saying that “I think misinformation and disinformation has caused many people stop being serious about the pandemic. Many people have said it’s just a flu and others said government is lying to people. Others avoid social distancing measures and continue joining religious gatherings”

 

In responding to another question which says ‘Islam teaches and promotes truthfulness and even set some rules and regulations before accepting a narration. Who misinform people to achieve certain goals?

He said Islam is a perfect religion, but Muslims are not. Although we all know lying is haram, unless under special condition to protect lives, but it is part of human nature to lie. One can’t escape his innate psychological motives without serious efforts. Muslims too spread lies.

 

In conclusion he advises the government and other concerned institutions on measures they should take in countering disinformation and disinformation.

 

He said both the Government and the clerics should work together in saving lives. For the clerics, they should please allow experts to speak on medical issues. When it comes to spiritual exercises, clerics are in better position to speak. But this is pandemic, they should allow epidemiologists to speak.

 

Also Government should use the clerics in fighting religious misinformation. They are so powerful that no institution can do away with them. Radio jingles and attitudes of the government officials are also influencing people.

 

Engagement:

Good afternoon all, please welcome @Aliyussufiy, editor at @HumAngle_ who will be discussing on countering disinformation from religious perspective on the fight against Covid19. @YZYau @fareedear @ICTAdvocates @Mairo_Ado @HariraWakili @ChiromaHope @sagiru_ado @kamalkano

Replying to

@ChiromaHope

@a_sabo12 and 8 others

Thank you

 

Malam

@Aliyussufiy

We will like to know the kind of misinformation being spread by different religious followers in Nigeria.

 

There are many, but the most popular ones include that Covid-19 is a bioweapon created to attack Muslims and the one saying that face-mask has no medical use. The purveyor said it is political manipulation intended to make a puppet out of Nigerians.

 

Malam

@Aliyussufiy

, do an ordinary follower have any role to in tackling religious misinformation? If yes, how?

Replying to

@ChiromaHope

@a_sabo12 and 9 others

The Prophet of Islam commanded that we shouldn’t be sharing whatever we receive without thorough investigation. An individual has to fact-check claims before forwarding to anyone to avoid misinforming people.

 

 

So what measures do you think government and other concerned institutions should take in countering disinformation and disinformation which is mostly spread by religious leaders looking at how sensitive religion is in the country and the large number of followers they have?

 

The two should work together in saving lives. For the clerics, they should please allow experts to speak on medical issues. When it comes to spiritual exercises, clerics are in better position to speak. But this is pandemic, they should allow epidemiologists to speak. Please

 

Government should use the clerics in fighting religious misinformation. They are so powerful that no institution can do away with them. Radio jingles and attitudes of the government officials are also influencing people.

 

@Aliyussufiy, permit us to take you back a little, can you please explain what disinformation from religious perspective is?

 

Disinformation is a deliberate spread of false statements to achieve particular goal. From religious angle it is the same as “lying” or “hypocrisy”.

 

And how did these misinformation change the prospection of people toward the disease?

 

Let’s explain the difference between disinformation and misinformation first. While the former is intentional spread of false information, the latter is unintentional that may arise due to social trust or lack of digital literacy and critical thinking. Both harm people.

 

In your experience, sir, to what extent does misinformation and disinformation jeopardize the fight against this deadly virus?

 

I think misinformation and disinformation has caused many people stop being serious about the pandemic. Many people have said it’s just a flu and others said government is lying to people. Others avoid social distancing measures and continue joining religious gatherings.

 

 

@ICTAdvocates

@a_sabo12

@Aliyussufiy

Islam teaches and promotes truthfulness and even set some rules and regulations b/4 accepting a narration. Who misinform people to achieve certain goals?

 

Islam is a perfect religion, but Muslims are not. Although we all know lying is haram, unless under special condition to protect lives, but it is part of human nature to lie. One can’t escape his innate psychological motives without serious efforts. Muslims too spread lies.

 

Whoever try to explain it to them they will neither listen nor understand it coz it will against Malams’ opinion. Any approach to eradicate such?

 

I think critical thinking should be taught from secondary school level. This will instill the habit of questioning in the minds of youth. I believe, even though it will disturb some clerics in the first time, it will curtail the habit of consuming nonsense from pseudo clerics.

 

Malam Aliyu

@Aliyussufiy, thank you very much for this insightful discussion, on behalf of

@ICTAdvocates

‘s E.D & its entire staff we appreciate you for being with us at this hour & the educative discussion. Thank you once & have a nice day

@ChiromaHope

@ooomiiiii

@teemerh_beekay