Over 50 Christians and Muslims jointly organized, Ramadan Interfaith iftar break to strengthen peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in Kaduna State.
The event which took place at Unguwar Rimi, Kaduna North LGA of Kaduna was organized by Conflict Mitigation and Management Regional Council (CMMRC), Community Peace Observers (CPO) in conjunction with the network of Peace journalists (NPJ) working to promote ethical values on peaceful conducts among the diverse ethnic and religious groups on the need to embrace Peace and by serving as Ambassadors of Unity in their various localities on the CIPP Program in the State.
According to Mr Samson Auta, the coordinator of the Community Peace Action Network (CPAN), of the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) Kaduna State, the aim of coming together is to join their Muslims brothers in Breaking Ramadan fast in Unguwar Rimi community in Kaduna North LGA.
The gathering was also to emphasize on the importance of strengthening peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance among the adherence of different faith groups and organizations in the State.
Top Islamic and Christian Scholars, women organizations, youth groups and traditional titled holders and security personnel attended the occasion.
Mr Samson said, the Ramadan – Iftar provides a golden opportunity for self reflection, devotion to the Maker of all mankind and serve as a means for both Christians and Muslims to interact, dialogue and exchange goodwill messages of Peace and unity in the country.
He observed that this year’s Ramadan season comes amidst high cost of food stuffs in markets, general scarcity of Naira notes and climatic warm conditions due to climate change related phenomenon.
He however expressed happiness over the just concluded 2023 general elections in the State, which shows people aspiration towards peace and in promoting peaceful conducts before, during and after the elections; He further appealled to the teaming youth groups in Kaduna State and across the country to shun all forms of violence and embrace Peace as a sustaining factor for development.
Similarly, Mrs Catherine John Amangs who is the Secretary of the group working on early warning and early response on the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP), known as the Conflict Mitigation and Management Regional Council (CMMRC), said that they came to join their brothers and sisters for the breaking of Ramadan with the aim of strengthening Christians-Muslims relationship in Kaduna State
She said, they came in large number as Christians from other part of Kaduna to strengthen interreligious and intercultural tolerance and harmony.
She notes that both Muslims and Christians at this season are both observing Fasting, “Lent and Ramadan” hence the need to join hands together toward praying for peace and stability in the country.
During the get-together event, different varieties of delicacies and drinks were distributed to all during the Iftar.
In his remark, Comrade Abubakar Umar Suleiman who is also one of the community peace Observers (CPO), residing in Unguwar Rimi, Kaduna North LGA, Kaduna State were the event took place last night,
expressed delight and happiness for the large number of Christians brothers and sisters that came from far away to join them in breaking the Ramadan Fast as a family.
He called on both Muslims and Christians to always live in peace; irrespective of tribal religious, cultural and regional differences in the interest of peace in Nigeria.
The group plans to celebrate the Easter celebration together through exchange visitations and sharing of giftst to the less privileged ones.
Meanwhile the network of Peace journalists that also attended the event called on adherence of different faith groups and organizations in the country to embrace peace and harmony for stability in the country
