In a powerful display of interfaith solidarity in northern Nigeria, hundreds of Muslims joined their Christian neighbors on Thursday for a special Christmas service at the Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna, continuing a heartening 15-year tradition.
The annual gathering, orchestrated by the church’s General Overseer, Reverend Yohanna Buru, draws participants from across all 19 northern states. The Muslim attendees represent a diverse spectrum of Islamic sects, including the Tijjaniyya, Shi’ite groups, and Sunni communities.
A Celebration of Shared Values in Challenging Times
Reverend Buru described the event as a cornerstone for promoting peace, unity, and mutual understanding in a region often strained by religious and ethnic tensions. "This is the 15th time Muslims and Christians are gathering for this historic annual event to strengthen our relationship and foster unity," he stated.
He emphasized the importance of such cooperation, especially against a backdrop of national challenges like economic hardship, insecurity, and rising poverty. "We are all children of Adam and Eve," Buru reflected. "We worship one God, have holy books, and believe in paradise and hell. These shared values should unite us."
Symbolic Gifts and a Call for Sustained Peace
As a symbol of this bond, Muslim delegations presented gifts to the church. An Islamic scholar in attendance, Salihu Mai-Barota, explained that their presence was to celebrate with their Christian brothers and sisters and to actively promote religious tolerance.
Joining the call for harmony, Imam Ibrahim Musa from Kaduna's Igabi Local Government congratulated Christians on Christmas. He urged the youth in particular to reject violence and the spread of divisive misinformation online, and to instead support all government and community efforts aimed at building lasting peace.
This annual gesture in Kaduna stands as a living testament to the possibility of coexistence, demonstrating that shared humanity and faith can build bridges stronger than the forces that seek to divide.
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