By Iliya Kure
A Church in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, has distributed food items comprising bags of millets, rice and maize to underprivileged Muslims in Kaduna metropolis.
This is with a view to strengthen Christian-Muslim relations, promote better understanding and spirit of togetherness, even as the Muslims commence their 30-day Ramadan fast on Tuesday.
“We do this in order to strengthen peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance among different faith-based organizations, in order to live in peace and harmony according to the teachings of the holy books,” General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Yohanna Buru told journalists in Kaduna
Each year during Ramadan, the Church shares food items in Muslim communities to encourage them to be fully committed and devoted to fasting and praying.
According to Pastor Buru, this year marks the seventh time the Church is involved in distribution of grains and other foodstuff to large number of street beggars, internally displaced persons, children at orphanage homes and Muslims in prisons.
He stressed the need for the Church to support underprivileged Muslims in view of the hardship brought about by the Corona Virus pandemic, which has affected all spheres of human endeavours.
The cleric called on wealthy Muslims to equally remember the less-privileged in the society, so they could participate fully in the 30-day Ramadan fast.
“We want the poor Muslims to pray for peace stability in the country, for almighty God to bring an end to daily killing, kidnapping and banditry”
Pastor Buru added that as usual, the church is planning to bail out some Muslims prisoners to enable them participate in the 30-day fasting with friends and families.
The Christian leader who congratulated Muslims on the Arrival of Ramadan month, also urged Imams & Ulamas to intensify prayers for peace and unity of the country.
Buru said every year he leads a team of Christian leaders to the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, for interfaith breaking of Ramadan fast, to promote peace and unity.
“We are one family under God. We must remember that we worship one God, and we are from the family of Adam and eve. We all have our holy books from One God; therefore, we must join hands to support each other”
He also stated that he has been joining sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and other top Islamic clerics during the season to boost Christian-Muslim relations
Responding, one of the disabled persons that received the food items, Mallam Muntari Saleh, who is the Public Relation Officer of Northern Blind Forum, expressed joy over the gesture by the Church.
He confirmed that every year, the Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry donates food items to many disabled persons.
Muntari called on Islamic leaders and organisations to always remember the poor during the Ramadan period.
