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Tag: tolerance

  • Kaduna ECWA leads quest for religious tolerance

    Kaduna ECWA leads quest for religious tolerance

    Since the eruption of what was tagged ‘Sharia crisis’ in Kaduna State in the year 2000 and the closely followed ‘Miss World crisis’ in 2002, Christians and Muslims have been living with mutual suspicion.

    The development did not only create tension, it also left residents of Kaduna to indirectly adopt segregated living, along religious lines.

    The two crises have equally forced people to move their worship places away from where their fellow worshippers are in minority to where they have people of their faith in majority. Where such worship places were left behind, they had often served as the first targets during crises.

    Mosques standing around the predominant Christian settlements of Sabo, Gonin Gora, Kakuri, Barnawa and the likes had often been razed during crises while churches around Tudun Wada, Tudun Nupawa and Ungwar Dosa suffer similar fates.

    It is against this backdrop that the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Gospel Church Tudun Nupawa in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State last week donated assorted food stuffs to Muslims within its domain in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan as part of efforts to foster peaceful religious coexistence.

    The gesture is not the first peace move by the church. It recently gathered Imams and Village/Districts Heads from its predominant Muslim host community to fellowship with them.

    The Imams were invited to the Sunday church service by the Senior Pastor of the Church, Reverend Yunusa Nmadu, not to change their faith but to worship with them and build love between Christians and Muslims.

    The Muslim religious leaders and the traditional rulers were in the church from the beginning of the Sunday service at 9am till 12:30pm. Even though, they could not join in the reading of the Bible and rendition of hymns, some of them gave offerings to the church.

    Speaking, during the special church service, Nmadu said even though the church had been burnt more than four times during crises, youths of the area once stood their ground and prevented the church from being burnt by hoodlums.

    He explained: “That is why we thought we should return what has been done to us with love. We have done something similar during the Ramadan period.

    “So, this is to cement the relationship between us and our neighbours because we believe we can live together in harmony, because we were all created in the image of God.

    “We invited you Muslim religious leaders and traditional rulers to see what we are doing here and fellowship together with us so that we can show you the love of Jesus Christ.”

    Responding, the Chief Imam of Salamat Central Mosque in Bachama area of Tudun Wada, Kaduna, Sheik Dahiru Adamu, said there was nothing as important as peace and peaceful co-existence in the world.

    He added that any Muslim or Christian that hurts another human being due to religious differences lacks understanding.

    According to him: “Prophet Muhammed taught us to love our neighbours, even if they are non-Muslims.

    “The Prophet said if we see a non-Muslim that is thirsty and about to die of thirst, we should give him water, even if the only water we have left is the one we want to perform ablution with we should save the life of the non-Muslim and perform our ablution with sand.”

    He urged Christians and Muslims to desist from spreading destructive rumour.

    “We should desist from a situation where somebody will send us message that they have killed one Muslim in Zonkwa, then we too have to kill one Christian in Tudun Wada. That is tantamount to taking laws into our own hands.”

    The Village Head of Tudun Nupawa, Dr. Yusuf Nadabo, said: “We have entered the church and worshipped with the congregation. It didn’t change anything about us and did not convert us to Christianity.”

    He said gestures like invitation to the church were lacking in the past, which led to distrust among Muslims and Christians.

    The church followed up with donation of assorted food stuffs to Muslims within its domain in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.

    Items donated to the beneficiaries numbering 150 families drawn from the Panteka market union and Tudun Nupawa community included rice, beans, maize, noodles, sugar and eggs, among others.

    Nmadu said: “The gesture by the church to provide food items to members of the host community during Ramadan is to demonstrate the Biblical injunction that we should love our neighbours as ourselves.

    “Apart from that, we have also embarked on this to show the world that peace is possible and that we are all peace makers by demonstrating it in practical terms.”

    Nmadu commended the reformation in the community, saying “Tudun-Wada/Tudun-Nupawa which used to be in the news for the wrong reasons has since begun on a new slate.”

    Even though this community used to be a crisis-prone community, there has been a tremendous improvement over the years due to concerted efforts, guidance, counselling and proper leadership provided by the leaders and village heads.

    One of the beneficiaries, the Sarkin Dutse, Alhaji Shaibu Balarebe, commended the magnanimity of the ECWA church by assisting his people during the Ramadan fast in the past two years.

    Kadun State Governor, Mukhtar Yero, stressed the need for peaceful coexistence.

    Yero, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Yari Everton, urged all to shun all forms of social vices.

  • Ajimobi urges tolerance

    Ajimobi urges tolerance

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has called on Nigerians to embrace peace and tolerance.

    He spoke yesterday at Ramadan Lecture organised by the Muslim Association of Nigeria Oyo State branch in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    While admitting that leaders are sometimes prone to making mistakes, Ajimobi said the power to be in a leadership position resides with God, calling on those involved in governance to respect the will of the electorate and ensure peace to reign in the society.

    He said: “Governance is a process while government is the institution. God ordains leaders and not man. Many people struggle to be there, but they still fail while those who do not struggle get there. That is the work of God. But the important thing is to make life meaningful for the people and embrace peace. In Oyo State, peace is our top cardinal point and since this government came to power, peace has reigned in the state. After many years of agitation, we also approve the use of hijab in our secondary schools. Those in position of authority should fear God,” said the governor.

    National president of the organisation,Alhaji Sulaiman Yusuf, said the forum became necessary because the organisation deemed it necessary to contribute to the development of the nation, adding that the theme for this year was appropriate because of the nation’s struggle to establish good governance.

    The guest speaker and Chief Imam of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, urged government at all levels to strengthen the capacity of all those who play important roles in anti-corruption programmes and enforce stipulated punishment for all corrupt practices.

  • Aregbesola, Fayemi, Amosun advocate religious tolerance

    Aregbesola, Fayemi, Amosun advocate religious tolerance

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Muslims to live in peace and tolerate people of other faiths.

    He said the nation critically needs peace security and cooperation among its diverse people.

    Aregbesola urged adherents of all religions to uphold the sacredness of human life, saying God did not command or appoint anyone as judge in any scripture to take the life of another under the guise of protecting any faith.

    He said he wondered why any human being should exhibit such cruelty to a fellow human.

    Aregbesola said leaders must exhibit purposeful leadership and prudent management of resources to curb the worrisome deterioration in nearly all spheres of the nation’s life.

    He identified corruption in high places and divisive tendencies among ethnic groups as disease, “which we must cure completely for us to get our development agenda right”.

    The governor said: “It baffles me that religion, which should unite people, is dividing us in this country. I wonder why people must kill each other in the name of religion.

    “As Muslims, we are not to judge our fellow man. We should leave judgment to God who created us all. Why must people kill in the name of God? Why must people act God? Why must they pre-empt what their creator will do?

    “A Muslim must be tolerant, trustworthy, dependable and peace-loving. He must be a beacon of peace, sterling example of humankind and worthy of emulation.”

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi urged Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith and pray for a peaceful governorship election next year.

    Fayemi described the festival as an important landmark in the Islamic calendar. He urged Muslims not to be carried away by the celebration but to imbibe the lessons of the festivals.

    He said: “Sacrificing one’s only son in obedience to the wish of Allah can be very painful, but the Prophet Ibrahim gained a lot by choosing to obey Allah and damn the consequences. We should always be ready to make sacrifices, which may be unpalatable at present, but gainful and sweet in the nearest future.

    “I urge Muslims to draw lessons from the humility, piety, devotion and sacrifice exhibited by both Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ishmael.”

    The governor wished Muslim pilgrims on hajj a safe return from Saudi Arabia.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun urged Muslims to obey God always, so that they can receive bountiful rewards from Him.

    He said: “Nigeria can overcome its current challenges and attain its goal of a developed and prosperous nation, if all citizens live in total obedience to the will of God.”

    Amosun urged the faithful to continuously demonstrate the cardinal tenets of Islam by living in peace with their neighbours and being their brothers’ keepers.

    He wished them a happy celebration.

     

  • Lawmaker urges Muslims on unity, tolerance

    A lawmaker, Farouk Lawan has urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and unity to build a united country.

    Lawan, who is representing Bagwai/Shanono federal constituency, said “Muslims should use the period of Ramadan to seek forgiveness from others and forgive those that have offended them in order to receive Allah’s blessings”.

    “As Muslims, we are all aware of the importance of Ramadan as a holy month when Allah forgives his servants of all their misdeeds. I urge Nigerians to use this period to also forgive one another of all misgivings that must have happened in the past,” he said.

    He said “time has come for us to unite and embrace one another as brothers and sisters.

    Lawan admonished Muslims to attune their minds to the messages of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence, inherent in Islam, urging them to always be their brother’s keeper in whatever they are doing.

  • Jonathan advises youths on tolerance

    Jonathan advises youths on tolerance

    President Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerian youths to use religion to foster peace and unity in the country, even as religious youth leaders blamed the spate of societal decadence, especially violence, on the failure of religious leaders to impact teachings geared towards tolerance, peace and national unity in their followers.

    Speaking in Abuja at the first Nigerian Inter-religious Youth Summit, President Jonathan, who noted that the summit could not have come at a better time than now, said religion should be more than going to churches or mosques every day.

    Jonathan, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Student Affairs, Jude Imagwe said:  “We have to be tolerant of others if we must move our society forward. When went wrong? There was a time in this country when we used to wait eagerly for exchange of gifts from our neighbours, Muslims and Christians during Sallah and Christmas. We have to start preaching peace, but to achieve peace, we must work for peace.”

    The convener of the summit, Timothy Ademola said the blame of the present rot should be directed at religious leaders, saying: “It has been argued that if religious teachers and scholars can come up with sacred identity constructs that outline more peaceful world views, the world will, to a large extent, be made much better.

    “Given the fact that youths constitute the most active segment of any religion when it comes to the implementation of its sacred identity constructs, it goes without saying that such constructs become more socially-accommodating and productive.

    “The youth that adopt the will become more socially accommodating and productive. At this level, religion actively becomes an instrument for youth empowerment and constructive change.”

    The President of Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Simon Dolly urged understanding between religious faiths.

    He said: “We need to understand each other, work together and build bridges. We should build on our strength rather than look at our weaknesses.”

    In his presentation, the National President of National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation (MACOMYO), Kamaldeen Akintunde regretted that hypocrisy on the part of religious leaders has contributed, in no small measures, to the spate of violence in the country.

    “Since religion, as a concept, means different things to different people, we should then strive to make it an agent of stability. This is more so because religious intolerance has cost the country so much in our socio-political and economic development.

    While he canvassed for constitutional regulation of religious activities, the youth leader urged political, religious and community leaders to be cautious when making comments on religious issues.

    The representative of Eckankar said the solution to violence in the country is peace.

  • A lesson in religious tolerance

    A lesson in religious tolerance

    SIR: As Christians celebrated Easter, commemorating the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I will like to call the attention of different religion bodies all over the world to the Scottish church which showed love to their Muslim counterparts.

    According to the Daily Mail of London, a Scottish church became the first in the UK to share its premises with Muslim worshipers. Last month, St John’s Episcopal Church, Aberdeen welcomed hundreds of Muslims to pray five times a day in their building as the nearby mosque was so small that they were forced to worship outside.

    The minister of the church, Rev Isaac Poobalan, handed over part of the church hall to Chief Imam Ahmed Megharbi who led prayers in the main chapel. Rev Poobalan said that he would not be true to his faith if he did not offer to help.

    He said: “Praying is never wrong. My job is to encourage people to pray. The mosque was so full at times, there would be people outside in the wind and rain praying. I knew I couldn’t let this happen – because I would be abandoning what the Bible teaches us about how we should treat our neighbors… It’s a big building and it remains empty on a Friday lunchtime which is when they need the place most as that’s when they are at their busiest”.

    Rev. Poobalan said he wanted the move to help build bridges between Christians and Muslims after some initial resistance from his congregation.

    It’s also worthy of mention that the mosque received the help the church offered in good spirit. Sheikh Ahmed Megharbi reportedly said: “what happens here is special and there should be no problem repeating this across the country. The relationship is friendly and respected.”

    I urge different religious bodies all over the world to learn from this. We must learn to live together in harmony and in love and try to even help another in time of need. I believe there is no religion that preaches violence, therefore the religious leaders must preach peace, tolerance and friendliness among their members so that there can be peace in our world.

    Religious leaders must learn from Pope John Paul ll who was the first Pontiff to visit the Ummayad Mosque in Damascus in may 2001, when he embarked on a pilgrimage that took him from Greece to Syria to the island of Malta. I believe it is the same God who created all of us in different religions; therefore we must love our neighbor as ourselves regardless of our religion differences because our God is love.

     

    • John Tosin Ajiboye

    Osogbo, Osun State

  • Mark urges tolerance on Ebonyi communal crisis

    Senate President David Mark yesterday urged the people of Ebonyi Central Senatorial District to forgive one another and live in peace, in line with what the birth of Jesus Christ signifies to mankind.

    A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said Mark spoke in his home town Otukpo, Benue State, when the people of the senatorial district, led by Senator Paulinus Igwe, visited him for the Christmas celebration.

    He said: “The people of Ebonyi Central have not had the best of peace in recent time. But Christmas is about living together in harmony and in peace. The central message of Christianity is forgiveness. Unless we can genuinely forgive one another, we cannot be good Christians.

    “It is not easy to forgive, particularly in a situation where lives have been taken. But Christ’s birth brought peace, the type that has not been known in the world before his coming. He came and preached forgiveness. We must, therefore, as Christians who are supposed to be Christ-like forgive each other.

    “I, therefore, appeal to you to also appeal to those who are at home to allow peace to reign. In the New Year, we must make a resolution for peace to reign in Ebonyi Central. I am willing to work to achieve this peace. If all leaders would make themselves available to work for peace in the little community, we will soon have peace as a nation.”

    The Senate President restated his support for the creation of more states in Nigeria.

    He noted that those canvassing against state creation based their argument on viability.

    Mark added: “The argument of those opposed to state creation is based on whether existing sStates are viable or not.

    “But they forget that a state might be unviable just because the administrator is disingenuous with internal revenue generation or the people are not united and the administrator has to spend the available resources on achieving peace.

    “I am for the creation of Apa State and any other state that may fit the conditions.

    “I have never shied away from my agitation for creation of additional states just as I have always called for the creation of roles for traditional rulers in the Constitution.”

    “The traditional rulers are the custodians of peaceful coexistence in our various local communities.

  • Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal urge peace, tolerance at Sallah

    Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal urge peace, tolerance at Sallah

    The need for peace ran through the messages from leaders yesterday as Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts worldwide to mark the Eid-el-Kabir.

    Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Deputy House Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, in separate statements, spoke on the need for Nigerians to live in harmony.

    Besides calling for peace President Goodluck Jonathan urged the people “to live up to the highest ideals of religious beliefs, including the fear of God, selfless service, respect for laws and constituted authorities, honesty, justice, equity, fairness, dutifulness and harmonious co-existence with others”.

    Dr. Jonathan also ordered a thorough post mortem of some Nigerian women pilgrims deported from Mecca over male companions.

    He said the essence of the probe is to ensure that Hajj airlift operations are never disrupted by such problems in future and Nigerian pilgrims not subjected to such traumatic experience again.

    The president extended warm greetings to Nigerians and Muslims in particular, on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir festival.

    He congratulated all Nigerians who successfully undertook the Hajj.

    The President noted that the country would make faster progress toward the attainment of developmental objectives, with the co-operation of the citizens.

    He said his administration would continue to give dedicated, committed, focused and purposeful leadership toward overcoming old and emerging challenges before the nation.

    The president said Nigerians should use the Sallah celebration to remember flooding victims.

    “I have already announced a relief package of close to N18 billion and constituted a national committee to raise more funds to help victims of the floods.

    “In the true spirit of our major religions which enjoin us to be generous to the needy, I urge all Nigerians who can do so to donate munificently to the national relief fund for affected persons and communities.

    “We will monitor the disbursement and utilisation of the funds released by the Federal Government and those raised by the National Committee very closely to ensure that they are judiciously and expeditiously expended for the benefit of the flood victims,’’ he said.

    Mark called on the Muslim faithful to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir to pray for peace and stability in Nigeria.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja, Mark implored religious leaders to teach their followers the right thing to do so that they would not depart from the truth.

    He noted that Nigeria was passing through trying times, especially security challenges, a development, he said, required that all men and women of goodwill rise up to tackle the menace.

    The senate president said insecurity should not be perceived from the prism of religion but a crime against humanity.

    He urged all citizens to reinforce “the African spirit of brotherhood, love, solidarity and unity which were the hallmarks of our communal life’’.

    “We all have a stake in the project Nigeria. We must shun divisive tendencies and come together against all forces of darkness that seems to be dragging us back.

    “We have come a long way. We cannot at this stage … with the future of our nation. We desire peace. We need to make progress.’’ He said.

    Tambuwal urged Nigerians to be law abiding at all times and restore the virtues of good neighbourliness.

    His statement, signed by his Media and Public Affairs adviser Malam Imam Imam, said for Nigeria to make the progress it desired, the citizenry at all levels must be their brother’s keepers and be more sensitive to the well-being of one another.

    According to him, all Nigerians must show commitment and readiness to make sacrifice toward the development of the nation.

    He said that making sacrifice for the nation had become imperative now more than ever before, considering the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

    The speaker added that while every nation on earth had peculiar challenges confronting its people, the determination to tackle those challenges at times sets some of them apart.

    “We must face our problems with more commitment, determination, unity of purpose and the best of intentions,’’ he said.

    He enjoined Muslim faithful to use the occasion to reflect on their spiritual lives.

    “Let me use this opportunity to urge Nigerians, especially adherents of the Islamic faith, to use the occasion to reflect on our spiritual life as individuals and how we can contribute more meaningfully toward making Nigeria the great nation envisioned by its founding fathers.’’

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said only peaceful co-existence, selflessness and obedience to Allah and the laws will take Nigeria to the promised land.

    Ekweremadu noted that “the essence of life is obedience to Allah as well as service and love to both Allah and humanity’’.

    He observed that corruption, greed, and wilful disobedience to Allah and the teachings of the prophets were largely responsible for the many challenges facing the nation.

    He said that selflessness, justice and total submission to the will of Allah epitomised by Prophet Mohammud would restore the nation on to the path of speedy growth and transformation.

    “We must not only seize the opportunity of the Eid-El-Kabir to pray for the peace, unity, security and prosperity of the nation.

    “We must also resolve to show high sense of patriotism, submission to the rule of law.

    “We also must show emulation of the great values of selflessness and love for one another to ensure that Nigeria reclaims her pride of place among the comity of nations,’’ he said.

    The deputy senate president wished the Muslim Ummah and the nation a hitch-free Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

    Ihedioha said Nigerians should show commitment and patriotism to the cause of building “a stronger virile and prosperous country.’’

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Oke Epia, Ihedioha noted: “Our collective efforts will certainly yield results if we persevere.’’

    He urged Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of sacrificial giving for which the Eid-el-Kabir was noted while commending them for their prayers and efforts for the nation.

    The deputy speaker also called on Nigerians from all walks of life to embrace religious harmony and share in the conviviality of the celebration that “presents itself as another opportunity to display our unity in diversity as a country’’.

    He congratulated the Muslim Ummah and urged them to continue to pray and work toward the unity, growth and development of Nigeria

    He, however, reminded them to remember the less- privileged so as to give them a sense of joy and participation in the festivities.

  • Tinubu seeks tolerance, responsible leadership

    Tinubu seeks tolerance, responsible leadership

    Action Congress of Nigeria National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday called for religious tolerance and responsible leadership.

    He said though Eid-el-Kabir is a Muslim festival, Nigerians of all faith and creed should regard themselves as partakers, in the best tradition of religious tolerance and harmony.

    “I salute Nigerian Muslims on yet another glorious celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, with its symbol of community love and feasting in the sharing of the sallah ram,” he said. “But I believe every Nigerian that subscribes to faiths and creeds that stress brotherly love is a partaker.”

    Tinubu said Nigerians, particularly Muslims and Christians, must emphasise the similarities, rather than differences, of the two faiths; and understand that Muslims and Christians are kith and kins; and not enemies.

    “This festival celebrates the complete faith in Almighty God by Ibrahim (Abraham in Christianity), when God asked him to sacrifice his only son, Ishaq (Isaac in Christianity). The reward of this unquestionable faith in God is what we celebrate today in Eid-el-Kabir,” Tinubu explained. “We should celebrate that the two great religions come from the same source; and use that commonness to unite and build our country.”

    Tinubu urged governments at all levels to locate poverty as the trigger of many crises that often assume the colouration of religion, and work hard to solve the poverty problem.

    “Mass poverty, not differing faiths, is the greatest challenge to national unity and peace. So, if we solve the poverty problem, we will automatically take care of the most pressing of crises” he reasoned. “So, let every tier of government dedicate itself anew to offering accountable leadership that focuses on conquering poverty, deepening development and prosperity and giving our people the good life.”

    He appealed to those perpetuating violence under the guise of religion to seek the face of God and halt the mass slaughter of innocent souls.

    “We must reclaim our country from mass and senseless violence. We must stress the unity of our people under one God. We must insist on justice and equity. If we do all these,” he added, “our national narrative would change for the better: for we would have attained peace based on justice and equity, which will propel our nation to its manifest destiny as a proud, respected and prosperous member of the comity of nations.

  • Aregbesola urges religious tolerance

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday urged adherents of various religions to live together in peace.

    He spoke at the 42nd Adult Harvest and Thanksgiving Service of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Osun Provincial Headquarters, Osogbo.

    Aregbesola, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the harvest, said all religions preach oneness of God, but worshiped him in different ways.

    He said people should worship God according to their religious dictates without creating hardship for people of different faith.

    The governor wondered why there should be crisis among people in the worship of God in a society where the constitution guarantees religious freedom.

    He said: “There should be no crisis among Muslims and Christians, as they worship the same God. All religions preach good deeds, good character and good neighbourliness. No religion preaches evil. All religions enjoin their worshippers to do good to others, irrespective of religious differences.”

    Aregbesola said what should be uppermost in everyone’s heart is the worship of God with sincerity of purpose.

    He said it is not part of an individual’s religious duty to compel others to join his faith, adding that the peace in the state is engendered by the mutual respect and understanding among all religions.

    The Shepherd in-charge of the church, Superior Evangelist. Abraham Aladeseye prayed for continued peace in the state.

    Lauding the programmes of the state government, Aladeseye said the state has achieved meaningful transformation in the last two years.