Over 50 Christians and Muslims have jointly organised an inter-faith iftar break to strengthen peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in Kaduna State.
The event, which took place at Unguwar Rimi, Kaduna, was organised by Conflict Mitigation and Management Regional Council (CMMRC) and Community Peace Observers (CPO), in conjunction with the network of Peace Journalists (NPJ).
They are working to promote ethical values on peaceful conducts among the diverse ethnic and religious groups on the need to embrace peace and by serving as Ambassadors of Unity in various localities on the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) programme in the State.
Mr Samson Auta, the coordinator of the Community Peace Action Network (CPAN) of the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), Kaduna, stated that the aim of coming together is to join “our Muslims brothers in breaking Ramadan fast in Unguwar Rimi community in Kaduna North”.
The gathering was also to emphasise the importance of strengthening peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance among the adherents of different faith groups and organisations in the state.
Read Also: Ramadan: FEC admonishes Muslims to pray for Nigeria’s peace, prosperity
Top Islamic and Christian scholars, women organisations, youth groups and traditional title holders and security personnel attended the event.
Auta said the Ramadan – Iftar provides a golden opportunity for self reflection, devotion to the maker of all mankind, and serves as a means for both Christians and Muslims to interact, dialogue and exchange goodwill messages of peace and unity in the country.
Similarly, Mrs Catherine John, the secretary of the group working on early warning and early response on the CIPP programme, said they came to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in breaking the Ramadan fast with the aim of strengthening Christians-Muslims relationship in Kaduna State.
One of the Community Peace Observers in Unguwar Rimi, Comrade Abubakar Suleiman, expressed delight and happiness at the large turnout of Christian brothers and sisters at the event.
The group plans to celebrate the Easter celebration together through the exchange of visits and sharing of gifts to the less privilege ones.
Meanwhile, the leader of the network of Peace Journalists, Ibrahima Yakubu, who also attended the event, called on members of the different faith groups and organizations in the country to embrace peace and harmony for the peace and stability in the country.