KADUNA – (FIC Kaduna Report) – Muslim and Christian leaders in Kaduna State have called on adherents of both religions to stop conducts that are unbecoming of their faith and embrace peace instead.
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai (Mallam) while addressing the 22 Senior Christian and Muslim Clerics that attended the event which took place on Thursday September 4, 2020 said that diversity of faith should not be a reason for division and violent conflict. According to him, the decision to gather leaders of faith in a joint endeavour for peace and harmony in the State reflects on the belief that religion does not have to divide.
He argued that the diversity of faith can be a vehicle for unity when adherents respect the right of every human being to life, liberty and livelihood as creatures of God. The Governor asked for the support of the leaders in ensuring that the conduct of people more closely mirrors the message of peace and compassion in the major religions.
El-Rufai pointed out that religious fervour is a common trait among Nigerians, but the legacy of communal and ethno – religious conflict in the State betrays the absence, not only of respect for the rule of law, but also any adherence to the common values of the two dominant religions which are peace, compassion and fairness to others. He told the gathering that Kaduna State has spent enormous financial resources to support, equip and sustain Federal Security Agencies to provide peace in the last five years. He also observed that these are resources that can be better applied for investment in reducing the human and physical infrastructure deficits that the State is suffering from.
In noting that violent conflict does not have to be the destiny of the State, El-Rufai said that no one can be wiser than the Almighty God who created everyone and the universe humans inhabit, and who decreed diversity in biology, race, gender, religion, geography and much else. He implied that the belief in God ought to compel people of faith to cherish a common humanity and to stand up for everybody, not just the people with whom they share a common religion.
El Rufai mentioned that the people of Kaduna State have to work together to ensure that widespread adherence to religion translates into a broad constituency for peace, adding that division and conflict amidst intense religiosity is not their destiny.
During the interactive session, the leaders of faith firmly condemned violence as contrary to the teachings of faith. They called for courage on all sides to address the issues, including the roots of violent conflict, the skewed narratives, the scourge of illicit drugs among youths for a firm stance against religious extremism. They pledged to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure the success of the initiative.
Twenty two Muslim clerics and Christian clergymen attended the inauguration, including Ali Buba Lamido (Archbishop) of the Dioccess of Wusasa, Timothy Yahaya (Bishop); Moses Audi (Prof) and Ishaya Adamu Jangado (Rev). Others were: Mathew Mano’oso Ndagoso (Archbishop); Julius Yakubu Kundi (Bishop); Barnabas Dogo (Rev) and Sunday OgaIdoko (Archbishop). Also present were: Emmanuel Nuhu Kure (Apostle); Olatubosun Ishola James (Rev) and Agatha Asabe Soji.
On the Muslim side, those who attended the meeting were: Ahmad Abubakar Gumi (Sheikh); Tukur Adam AlMannar (Dr); Mohammed Suleiman (Dr); Abdulkareem Hashm (Sheikh) and Amin Alkasim (Mallam) as well as Tahir Baba Ibrahim (Mallam); Yusuf Yakubu Al-Rigasiyyu (Mallam); Hamza Muhammad Lawal (Sheikh); Mohammed Maruf Raji (Alh); Sherrif Olutusin (Alh) and Fadila Musa (Hajiya).
The participants from the Kaduna State Peace Commission included the Chairman, Josiah Idowu-Fearon (Most Revd); the Executive Vice Chairman, Priscilla Ankut and the Permanent Commissioner, Khadija Hawajah (Hajiya).
The event was organised by the Kaduna State Peace Commission earmarked to be the Secretariat of the House of Kaduna Family.
