Muslim and Christian leaders in Kaduna state have called on adherents of both religions to stop conducts that are inimical to the image of their faith but rather to embrace peace.
The leaders of faith spoke at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, when Governor Nasir el-Rufai inaugurated the House of Kaduna Family, a platform designed for leaders of faith to dialogue, interact and assume collective responsibility for messages that assist people of faith to live up to the highest ideals of our two main religions as peaceful, law abiding citizens.
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 youth and for a firm stance against religious extremism.
They pledged to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure the success of the initiative.
Addressing the 22 senior Christian and Muslim clerics that attended the event on Thursday, governor el-Rufai said 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 our state reflects our belief that religion does not have to divide. 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. “The legacy of communal and ethno religious conflict in our state betrays the absence not only of respect for the rule of law but also any adherence to the common values of our two dominant religions; which are peace, compassion and fairness to others
“Kaduna state has spent enormous financial resources to support, equip and sustain federal security agencies to provide peace in the last five years. These are resources that can be better applied for investment in reducing the human and physical infrastructure deficits the state suffers from.
“Violent conflict does not have to be the destiny of the state. No one can be wiser than Almighty God who created everyone and the universe we inhabit, who decreed diversity in biology, race, gender, religion, geography, and much else. 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. Division and conflict amidst intense religiosity is not our destiny.’’
Twenty-two Muslim and Christian clergies attended the inauguration,
The Christian priest who were at the meeting included – Archbishop Ali Buba Lamido of the Diocese of Wusasa, Bishop Timothy Yahaya, Rev. Prof. Moses Audi and Rev Ishaya Adamu Jangado, Archbishop Mathew Man’oso Ndagoso, Bishop Julius Yakubu Kundi, Rev Barnabas Dogo and Archbishop Sunday OgaIdoko. Others are Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, Rev Olatubosun Ishola James, Mrs Agatha Asabe Soji.
The Muslim clergies who attended are, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, Dr Tukur Adam AlMannar, Dr Mohammed Suleiman, Sheikh Abdulkareem Hashm and Malam Amin Alkasim. Others are Malam Tahir Baba Ibrahim, Malam Yusuf Yakubu Arigasiyyu, Sheikh Hamza Muhammad Lawal, Alhaji Mohammed Maruf Raji, Alhaji Sheriff Olutusin and Hajiya Fadila Musa.
The participants from the Kaduna State Peace Commission included the chairman Most Revd. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the Executive Vice Chairman Priscilla Ankut and the Permanent Commissioner Hajiya Khadija Hawajah. The event was organised by the Kaduna State Peace Commission which will be the secretariat of the House of Kaduna Family.