By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West Nigeria – The General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Sabon Tasha Kaduna, Pastor (Dr) Yohanna Buru and some elders from the Church have congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad II on the 2024 Maulud cerebration.
They also congratulated Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, Sheikh Ibrahim Yakubu El-Zazzaky, Khalifa Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the leader of Tijjaniyya Islamic Sect across West, North and East Africa, and Sheikh Halliru Maraya.
Speaking at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, venue of the event on Sunday, Pastor Buru said, Maulud celebration provides the Christians the opportunity to meet, interact, dialogue, mediate, discuss and exchange good will messages to foster peace and unity with imams and other top Islamic scholars.
He said they were at the stadium to strengthen good relationships with Muslim neighbors, and also chart better ways to promote peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance among citizens.
According to him, there are Muslims that always join him at his Church in December to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, adding that Prophet Mohammed (PBUM) is for all mankind irrespective of tribe, culture, ethnicity, cultural and historical background
Buru who always deliver peace lectures at the largest Muslim gathering in the state, emphasized on the importance of peace, and unity between Christians and Muslims.
He however, expressed worries over the increased security challenges in the country, noting that the daily bloodshed, banditry, kidnappings and ethno-religious killings across the North has affected the region badly in the areas of education, agriculture, economy, tourism, sports, entertainment and other sectors of human endevours.
In the same vein, the Chief Imam of Udawa community who represented the Jama’atul Nasril Islam, (JNI) Kaduna State, Iliyasu Hussain emphasized the need for peace and love among the adherents of the two religions in the country.
He urged Muslims and Christians should embrace the culture of forgiveness, tolerance and spread the message of love to mankind.He commended Pastor Buru and his team for joining them in the celebration of Maulud to promote peace and harmony.
Similarly, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim, Sarkin Gabas Tudun Wada, expressed happiness over the large turnout of Muslim faithful to the event, noting that thousands of Muslims across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state arrived at the stadium. “So many Islamic schools participated in the matching parade at the stadium to grace the occasion”, he added.
Also, Sheikh Aliyu Turmizi who represented the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, equally expressed delight over the large turnout of participants.
He said, Maulud celebrations attract Muslims from all part of the state to assemble at the stadium, saying “they are happy seeing Christians joining them at the Kaduna stadium to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)”; and urged all to keep praying for peace and stability in the land.