A large number of Muslim youths and Islamic scholars attended this year’s Christmas service and shared many gifts to sthrengthen Christian – Muslim relationship in the northern part of the country.
According to the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor Yohanna Buru, every year, hundreds of Muslims from 19 northern states usually joined them in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at his Church, to promote peace and unity.
Buru said the different sects of Muslim organizations, including members of Tijjaniya, shiites under Islamic Movement of Nigeria and other Sunni Muslims joined them with the sole purpose of strengthening peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance.
The Muslim groups also presented gifts to the Church as a sign of peace, love and better understanding.
“They came with many gifts and awards which they shared to the Christians to strengthen Christian and Muslims relationship.”
The Christian cleric said this year’s Christmas celebration came amids high inflation, insecurity, and rising costs of foodstuff, poverty and unemployment bedevilling peace and stability in the country.
Buru added that last year, more than 1,000 Muslims attended the Christmas service and they came with their different gifts to share with Christian brothers to strengthen interreligious tolerance.
Buru further called on Islamic and Christian clergies to embark on ceaseless prayers towards the conduct of peaceful elections in 2023.
He called on Nigerians to equally pray for the Nigerian Army and para military organisaions to defeat insecurity challenges bedevilling peaceful coexistence.
Reports revealed that Muslim youths, in corporate dresses, visited other Churches including Unguwar Rimi Church.
Responding, one of the Islamic scholars sheik Salisu Abdullahi Giwa, who headed a delegation of buses loaded with Muslims from katsina, Kano, Zamfara, said they were in Kaduna to join their brothers, the Christians, to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
