Foundation engages Plateau Muslim community on interfaith harmony

In the wake of recent tragic violence that claimed over 28 lives in Angwa Rukuba, the Gideon and Funmi ParaMallam Peace Foundation has initiated crucial peacebuilding efforts in Plateau State, demonstrating a proactive approach to healing and reconciliation. A delegation, led by CEO Dr. Gideon ParaMallam, visited the Jos Central Mosque to engage directly with the Muslim community, a vital step in bridging divides and fostering understanding.

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We need to be able to co-exist peacefully between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. It’s a fact that there are Christians in this country, there are also Muslims in this country. We need to work together. It’s not going to be easy. It’s tough, but we will continue to try until we learn to live together in peace. So the ultimate objective is to see a Plateau State that is peaceful, and as the Chief Imam said, Plateau State is known as the home of peace and tourism.

This engagement with Muslim leaders, officials of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and other stakeholders signifies a commitment to collaborative peace processes. Dr. ParaMallam's message of sympathy and his emphasis on the indispensable nature of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria were met with a shared resolve. The Chief Imam of the Jos Central Mosque, Imam Ghazali Isma’ila Adam, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the collective responsibility to work towards lasting peace.

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We need to wake up and walk together, both Christians and Muslims alike, to let Plateau State regain its past glory as the most peaceful state in Nigeria. But as I said, our objective goes beyond Plateau to every part of Nigeria. We can not continue to live like this and under the atmosphere of violence and tension all the time as a nation and as a people.

Dr. ParaMallam articulated a vision for Plateau State that transcends the current atmosphere of tension: "We need to wake up and walk together, both Christians and Muslims alike, to let Plateau State regain its past glory as the most peaceful state in Nigeria." This aspiration is deeply felt across Nigeria, where the narrative of Plateau as the "home of peace and tourism" is a cherished memory. The foundation's objective extends beyond the state, aiming to address the pervasive violence and tension that afflict the nation.

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And I also believe that we all have to work collectively to attain peace in this country, but while we do our part as citizens. The government must do its part as a government to ensure that citizens are protected and saved from those who kill them with reckless abandon.

Crucially, the dialogue also highlighted the need for governmental action. While citizens like the foundation and the mosque leadership commit to their part, the call for the government to fulfill its duty of protecting citizens from "those who kill them with reckless abandon" is paramount. The Chief Imam's specific call for vocational centers to tackle youth-related issues, particularly drug addiction, points to a practical, community-level approach to preventing future conflict. This story, for us at The Punch, is a powerful reminder of the grassroots efforts vital for national healing and stability, showcasing how local initiatives can drive the broader agenda for peace and security in Nigeria.

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There is a need for the government to create vocational centres to be able to deal with the issue of drug addicts, especially among the youth.