ChrysA nongovernmental organisation founded by Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid (Digital Imam), the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters, Jumuah Mosque, under the aegis of Islamic Research and Da’avah Foundation, Abuja, has called on Nigerians to live in peace and harmony.
He made the call while speaking at a one-day inter-faith conference organised by the group with the theme: “Promoting Religious Tolerance and Acceptance”, IRDF, in collaboration with Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace, recently. The Imam use the opportunity to emphasised the need for people of different faith to allow love, respect, peace and unity in their community and beyond.
In his keynote address, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Chinedu Kingsley of Catholic Church, Nyanya Parish, reminded participants that before anyone became Muslims or Christians, we were created as first human beings. He said our religious differences should not be allowed to swallow our collective humanity, but be seen as a blessing, because either as a Christian or a Muslim, we are created by one supreme Being and that we are created with dignity and abilities.
He said our heroes past did not collectively fight for a united Nigeria that will be sacrificed on the altar of religion.
“Their labour to see a united nation must be cherished by consciously sustaining the united Nigeria that they fought for,” the Rev. Fr. said, while stressing that no religion is superior to the other.
Also speaking at the event, the former secretary of the National Mosque, Abuja, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, called on Nigerians to treat each other with respect, bearing in mind that one God created all of humanity and He makes the Sun to shine on everyone without an exemption.
He said any good Muslim would understand that God Almighty decides what everyone would be – the choice of religion is not an exemption, and in as much as He makes the Sun to shine on everyone alike, no one has the right to deny another of his entitlement on religion’s grounds.
Addressing the media at the event, he urged them to ensure that a news item is adequately verified, before going ahead to publish such. Quoting from the Quran, he emphasised that there is no room for hatred in Islam and that Allah encourages religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, while referring to Ma’ida Chapter 5 vs 5.
On his part, the Village Head of Karu Hausawa, Suleiman Musa, while addressing journalist, expressed appreciation to IRDF for organising such a timely event. He said there is need to smoothen the relationship between all people of the two major religious group in our country – Christians and Muslims. He urged participants to use the lectures received positively and also calls on the clerics of both religious groups to pass on the message of love, peace and unity to their congregations.
