I have a thread that partially addressed this in my archive and I’ve had it for months but the summary is that, apart from Islamophobia which actually exists, we have not done enough to disprove the misconceptions surrounding Jihad and the religion itself. It’s not just by correcting the assertion, it must be seen in our behavior as Muslims. After all, the best way to preach Islam is through your behavior.
A Presidential candidate and core Northern Elite (a region often seen as the closest example of Islam in practice in the Country) tweeted and then deleted when Debora was murdered. No serious attempt was made by the government to bring her murderers to justice nor was there any major attempt to carry Nigerians along on the case so as to show deterrence and to communicate that Justice was done, if it was at all. You claim to have bad PR, then you go ahead to do things that will confirm the PR.
Then, there’s Hisbah and their constant tendencies to act ultra vires in the garb of Religion. People constantly do evil, garb it with religion and even get protection from their support base and then you ask people to discard what they see daily and believe your words alone. Live by example, that’s all.
"I want to correct this wrong notion that non-Muslims hold about Jihad. Jihad is not for a Muslim to kill a non-Muslim. Jihad means to strive, and in whatever you do in life, you strive to be the best." — Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, sultan of Sokoto