The Concept of Wasatiyyah (Islamic Moderation) in Arabic Discourse and Its Relevance to Interfaith Relations in Plateau State

The concept of wasatiyyah, meaning balance, moderation, and the middle path in Islamic ethical and theological discourse, has gained considerable attention in contemporary Arabic Islamic literature as a framework for addressing extremism and promoting civil coexistence. This study examines the concept of wasatiyyah as articulated in selected contemporary Arabic texts and investigates its relevance to interfaith relations in Plateau State, one of Nigeria's most religiously and ethnically diverse states with a history of communal violence. Using a combined textual and field-based methodology, the research analyses five contemporary Arabic texts on wasatiyyah produced between 2019 and 2024 and examines how wasatiyyah themes are deployed in the public discourse of Islamic scholars and civil society organisations in Plateau State. Focus group discussions with Muslim and Christian community representatives in Jos, Shendam, and Pankshin assess awareness of wasatiyyah discourse and its potential resonance in local interfaith dialogue. The study finds that wasatiyyah provides a scripturally grounded framework for Muslim participants in interfaith dialogue that is both intellectually credible and practically applicable, though effective transmission of the concept requires accessible Arabic literacy among Muslim interlocutors. Keywords: Wasatiyyah, Islamic moderation, interfaith relations, Arabic discourse, Plateau State.