Borno Leaders Seek Greater Religious Harmony
By Sadiq Abdulfatah
Muslim and Christian leaders in Borno State have called on their followers to promote peaceful co-existence, stressing that religious harmony is important for peace, development and recovery in the state.
The leaders made the call on Tuesday at an interfaith gathering organised by the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Borno State chapter, Special Apostle Joshua Akeredolu, as part of activities marking his Episcopal Consecration as the sixth leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in Maiduguri.
Speaking after the event, Akeredolu said the meeting was organised to bring Christians and Muslims together to discuss peace, mutual respect and peaceful co-existence.
He said his philosophy was to recognise people as human beings and creations of God before considering their religious differences. He added that this approach would help Muslims and Christians see one another as members of one family.
Akeredolu described the gathering as the first large-scale event of its kind because it brought together different sects from both the Muslim and Christian communities. He noted, however, that members of the two faiths had been holding smaller meetings focused on peaceful relations for the past two to three years.
He said scholars at the gathering focused on the need for lasting peace, noting that development could not be achieved without peace in the state and the country.
Also speaking, the Jumaat Imam of the Federal Government College Maiduguri Central Mosque, Ali Isah, said Borno’s experience with more than a decade of insurgency had highlighted the importance of religious harmony and peaceful co-existence.
Isah said clerics from both religions had been educating their followers on the importance of peace, particularly because of the state’s experience with terrorism and extremism.
He stressed that both Islam and Christianity promote peace and do not support violence, extremism or fanaticism, saying neither religion permits followers to kill or engage in such acts.
Borno has faced prolonged insecurity linked to the Boko Haram insurgency and other extremist groups, resulting in loss of lives, displacement and disruption of socio-economic activities. Against this background, interfaith dialogue remains important to strengthening community relations and supporting the state’s recovery.
The leaders urged Muslims and Christians to reject religious intolerance, hatred and extremism and work together to promote peace, unity and development across Borno State.
Source: The Punch
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