Muslims’ Quest for Identity in Nigeria in the Midst of Boko Haram Insurgency, Religious Conflicts and Media (Mis) Representation

Abstract

The task of this paper is to critically and empirically examine the multidisciplinary and multidimensional issues that confront the identity of Islam within the Nigerian society as a resultant effect of the Boko Haram insurgency since 2002. Nigerian political elites have devised various constitutional and administrative arrangements to cope with the country’s complex ethnic and religious pluralism. Yet, peace and stability have been elusive, as the country continues to experience severe religious and communal conflicts. In view of this ugly state of affairs, this paper strives to investigate the role of the media in constructing the identity of Islam in the midst of all these dramas. newspapers were highly relied on. Additionally, a critical discourse analysis was conducted on selected media reports on Islam and insurgencies to highlight the nature of the coverage and their influence in projecting the image of Islam within the Nigerian multi-religious context. This a between media representation and audience perception. The paper concluded with the submission that it's essential and pressing for the Muslim community to engage the traditiona disseminate their desired image. Recommendations were put forward on strategic ways the media can be utilized to the advantage of the Islamic faith.