Muslim, Christian leaders in Borno call for religious harmony

Muslim and Christian leaders in Borno State have urged their followers to embrace peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that religious harmony is crucial for achieving sustainable development. The call came during an interfaith gathering in Maiduguri.

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The essence of today’s meeting is to bring both faiths, Christians and Muslims together to talk on peace, most especially peaceful co-existence within the state.

The event was organized by Special Apostle Joshua Akeredolu, Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, as part of his Episcopal Consecration. Akeredolu stated that the gathering aimed to bring Christians and Muslims together to discuss peace, mutual respect, and coexistence.

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My philosophy of life is that before you have your own religion, you are a human being. Therefore, I should look at you as a creation of God while you replicate the same. I should respect you first as a human being. So with this understanding, we decided to organise this event so that both faiths will see each other as one family.

Akeredolu shared his philosophy that humanity should precede religious differences, stressing that individuals should first recognize each other as creations of God. He explained that the event was organized so that both faiths could see themselves as "one family." He noted that while smaller interfaith meetings have occurred previously, this gathering was unique in its scale and representation of diverse Muslim and Christian sects.

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The event, though, is the first of its kind in a large gathering, but we have been having both faiths meet at different times. For almost two or three years, we have been doing it underground. What made today’s own to be first of its kind is because we brought together different sects, both within the Muslim community and the Christian circle.

Scholars at the event focused on the importance of lasting peace in Borno State and the country, irrespective of religious affiliation, highlighting that development cannot be achieved without it. The Jumaat Imam of the Federal Government College Maiduguri Central Mosque, Ali Isah, also spoke, noting Borno's experience with over a decade of insurgency.

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Generally, we pushed for a lasting peace in the state. This is essential because what we want now is peace in this state and the country at large irrespective of your religion.