BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kaduna
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, on Thursday led a delegation of Northern Christian clerics to the 15th annual Ramadan iftar gathering in Kaduna, renewing a long-standing interfaith commitment to peace, unity and mutual understanding.
The event, held at the residence of the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, has for over a decade served as a meeting point for Muslim and Christian leaders drawn from across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, fostering dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
This year’s gathering was marked by emotion and reflection following the recent passing of the revered Islamic scholar, who had consistently hosted the interfaith iftar as a platform for strengthening harmony among Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, Dalung said the annual gathering had, over the years, provided an avenue for religious leaders to jointly interrogate challenges facing their communities and evolve practical solutions for sustaining peace.
“For the past 15 years, we have gathered here during Ramadan to break fast together, discuss issues affecting our communities and deliberate on ways to strengthen national unity”.
He described the late Sheikh as a symbol of peace and religious tolerance, noting that his lifelong dedication to unity remains a guiding light for interfaith relations in Nigeria.
Dalung also urged government at all levels to address rising insecurity and instability across the country, stressing that without peace, meaningful development would remain elusive. He further prayed for the repose of the late cleric and encouraged his family to sustain the legacy of the annual interfaith initiative.
In his remarks, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Kaduna, Pastor Yohanna Buru, underscored the significance of the coincidence of Ramadan and the Lenten season, describing it as a rare moment of shared spiritual reflection for both Muslims and Christians.
“We came to congratulate our Muslim brothers on the commencement of Ramadan and to further strengthen our long-standing relationship built on dialogue and mutual respect”.
Buru described the late Sheikh as a father figure to many Christian leaders and prayed for Allah to grant him Aljanna, in recognition of his contributions to peacebuilding and humanity.
He added that the iftar gathering continues to offer a critical platform for engagement between adherents of both faiths, while calling on government to take decisive steps to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians amid rising cost of living.
Similarly, Reverend Titus Ishaya commended the family of the late cleric for sustaining the tradition of hosting Christian leaders alongside Muslim scholars from various parts of the country.
He called on the Federal Government to consider a national honour for the late Sheikh in recognition of his role in promoting religious tolerance and national cohesion.
“Iftar provides an opportunity for peace talks and better understanding among different faiths,” he noted.
Responding on behalf of the family, Sheikh Ibrahim Usman Dahiru Bauchi expressed appreciation to the Christian delegation for honouring the invitation and upholding the spirit of unity established by his late father.
He assured that the family would continue to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen interfaith relationships, urging Nigerians to remain prayerful and committed to unity despite prevailing challenges.
