BY NONYE JULIET
Kaduna
Church leaders on Saturday joined Muslims in Kaduna to celebrate this year’s Maulud, the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), in what many described as a remarkable show of unity and tolerance.
The General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor (Dr.) Yohanna Buru, led elders from his church to Murtala Mohammed Square where the event was held.
Addressing the gathering, Pastor Buru congratulated Islamic leaders including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad II; Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi; Sheikh Ibrahim Yakub El-Zakzaky; Khalifa Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; and Sheikh Halliru Maraya.
He said his participation was part of efforts to promote peace and strengthen Christian-Muslim relations in Kaduna and across the country.
“Maulud offers Christians and Muslims the chance to meet, interact and exchange goodwill messages. It is a platform for promoting religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Pastor Buru noted that Muslims often join his church during Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, adding that both religions must continue to build bridges of peace.
He also recalled the gesture of a Muslim woman, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, who once donated 100 Bibles to his church and continues to support widows and orphans during festive periods.
In his remarks, Sheikh Iliyasu Husaine, Chief Imam of Udawa community and representative of Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI), praised Pastor Buru for consistently standing for peace and recalled attending Christmas services at his church.
Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim, Sarkin Gabas of Tudun Wada, said Muslims from all the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State attended the event, which also featured parades and Qur’anic recitations.
Sheikh Ibrahim Musa, head of Islamic Affairs at the Arabic Reading Slate School, said the participation of Christians in the Maulud celebration was a sign of hope for peace and stability in the state.
