Int’l Tolerance Day: Christian Clerics Visit Mosques To Promote Religious Tolerance In Kaduna

By Ibrahima Yakubu

… Share plastic Kettles and praying mats

NEWSDALYNIGERIA – Ahead of the United Nation International Day for Tolerance, a team of Christian clerics visited some Kaduna mosques to strengthening Christian- Muslim relationship and the promotion of religious tolerance aimed at boosting peace and unity and better understanding among different faith-based organizations in the country.

Pastor Yohanna Buru, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and life Intervention Ministry, who led the delegation said, for the past 10 years, he has been vising many Islamic scholars at their various worship places with other Christian clerics to promote peace and religious tolerance and harmony with the sole purpose of promoting peace and stability in the country.

” we visited many mosques to build good relationship with our brothers Imams for peaceful coexistence

” this year’s celebration of International Tolerance Day comes amidst of increase insecurity, Covid 19 pandemic and high cost of food stuffs in the market.” he added

According to him, every year, he spends a week to mark the international day through visiting other Muslims scholars both in Nigeria and other neighboring countries with the aim of promoting peace and unity.

Pastor Yohanna Buru, was accompany by Rev. Paul and Abraham from the church of Christ Sabon tasha Kaduna south said , in each of such visits they usually shares plenty praying mats and plastics cattles to mosques and shake hands with imams at the mosques,and some time, some imams do usually visit him at home in strengthening good relationship among scholars

The theme of this year 2021;“Tolerance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human”

According to him, we should acknowledge that the diverse opinions and points of view upon beliefs, race, politics, and geography are the colors of mixed communities. while stressing that, It is time to understand that the variety of human behaviors, the world’s cultures, and fundamental freedom make the world more beautiful.

Buru said, lack of understanding of the teachings of both Holy books has created a big problem among Nigerians and hence the need to promote the real teachings of the Holy Books for Muslims and Christians with other traditional believers to live in peace and harmony with one another.

” we want to use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to pray for peace stability of the country”

The cleric added that one of the core objectives of the United Nations is to build up tolerance among the cultures and peoples, noting that, nowadays, the rising violence in societies has increased the vital importance of tolerance.

Adding also that, tolerance is respect for others’ rights and freedom. Tolerance is not only a moral duty, but also a requirement of the present era, urging that, states should legislate for equality and basic human rights for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence adding that, education is an important tool to pave the path for these desired results.

Buru said, the church cannot forget the annual contribution of a Muslim Woman Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani in sharing Hundreds of Bibles to the church with the aim of promoting the teachings of peace and tolerance to all mankind for peace and stability.

He said, this Muslim woman always sends her contributions to the church’s widows, food and clothes during the Christmas celebrations

Imam Ibrahim Suleman Barnawa is one of the Muslim scholars that welcomed the team led by Pastor Buru, when they visited him at him at the Mosque

He appreciated them for coming to the mosques to dialogue on better ways to promote peace and religious tolerance among Muslims and Christians to live in peace and harmony

Also responding, Mallam Gambo Abdullahi Barnawa, said, this is not the first time, they are meeting with Christians clergies to promote peace and unity

He then called on Kaduna state government to encourage peace builders in communities toward tackling ethno- religious crisis that has brought set backs to the states

He added by calling on peace ambassadors to double up their efforts toward promoting peace and unity among Nigerians

While calling for special prayers for the Nigerian Military towards the success of all their military operations

Recall that, every 16th November is World International Tolerance Day