Sokoto community harps on interfaith dialogue to promote peace
Sokoto community harps on interfaith dialogue to promote peace
Alh. Sani Umar-Jabbi, District Head of Gagi in Sokoto South Local Government Area, has urged communities to organise more interfaith engagements to foster unity.
He made the appeal during a Ramadan fast-breaking event organised by the Community Dialogue Committee (CDC) for Durbawa, Tsaki, Mallamawa, and Gagi communities on Sunday.
Umar-Jabbi said interfaith activities promote religious tolerance, peace, love, forgiveness, and understanding — values essential for overcoming the challenges currently facing Nigeria.
He explained that CDC organised the event due to its importance, and urged groups and associations to emulate the initiative, considering rising community vulnerability to crime.
As CDC Chairman, Umar-Jabbi said the initiative aimed to unite Muslims and Christians through a shared meal, strengthening bonds and promoting unity among faith-based organisations.
He emphasised that such efforts help combat religious extremism and hatred, fostering harmony and national cohesion among citizens of different faiths.
Muslims and Christians jointly participated in the fast-breaking, and he encouraged other group leaders to explore similar ways of enhancing interfaith engagement.
“God created us to relate with all humans, regardless of tribe, culture, religion, colour, size, region, or continent,” Umar-Jabbi added.
Earlier, CDC Coordinator for Kware Local Government Area, Malam Ahmad Yaro, said the initiative sought to promote religious tolerance in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Yaro noted that the event showed how NGOs unite people across religious and cultural divides, with support from individuals and the district head.
He described the event as successful, citing positive feedback from attendees on the importance of fostering brotherhood among Nigerians.
CDC Secretary, Malam Bello Doki, described the event as a step in the right direction to strengthen ties between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Doki highlighted the importance of holding similar events beyond Ramadan, given their role in promoting peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
He stressed that criminals and those with bad conduct do not represent any religious teachings and should not define interfaith relations.
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He called for increased understanding, tolerance, and collaboration among religious adherents to address insecurity and other societal challenges.
A Christian leader Rev. Matthew Ayuba praised the organisers, saying the event would enhance peaceful co-existence, tolerance, forgiveness, and interfaith ties.
Ayuba said the programme would spread peace and unity, urging Nigerians to reject all forms of ethnic, religious, political, and regional division.
“We must love our Muslim neighbours. That is why we are here, to celebrate Ramadan with them and encourage devotion to Allah,” he said.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports the event was attended by community leaders, youths, women’s groups, civil societies, NGOs, and individuals.
