By Charles Igwe
In a significant demonstration of interfaith harmony, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, a prominent Christian leader from Kaduna, delivered a peace lecture to thousands of Muslims gathered at the Eid-el-Kabir praying ground in Kaduna on June 16, 2024.
The event, held at Murtala Mohammed Square, underscored the importance of unity, love, and religious tolerance in the state and across Nigeria. Pastor Buru, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, led a delegation of Christians to join the Muslim community in their prayers, marking the third time he and his team have participated in the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations at the central mosque.
In a statement released by Ibrahima Yakubu, the Team Leader of the Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ), Pastor Buru emphasized that such interfaith gatherings provide valuable opportunities for dialogue and mutual understanding. “We felicitate with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, Sheikh Ibrahim Yakubu El-Zakzaky, Sheikh Ahmed Mahmud Gumi, and all Islamic scholars around the world on this occasion,” Pastor Buru remarked.
He highlighted that during Christmas, thousands of Muslims from various sects, including Sunni, Shia, and Tijaniyya, join Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, further promoting peace and unity. The mosque committee had invited Pastor Buru once again to speak at the Eid-il-Kabir event, an invitation he gladly accepted to reinforce peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance.
Addressing the congregation after the prayers, Pastor Buru stressed the shared values of Islam and Christianity. “We must remember that we are one family under God, worshipping the same God. Both the Qur’an and the Bible are holy books sent from one God. We are all descendants of Adam and Eve and must live in peace and harmony regardless of our differences,” he said.
He urged all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to embrace peace, unity, and love, stressing that “Nigeria can achieve its full potential if we put aside our differences and work together to build a stronger, more united nation through peace-building.” Pastor Buru concluded by wishing the Muslim community a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration and praying for continued peace, unity, and prosperity in the nation.
Reverend Mikah James Chori from the Lutheran Church of Christ in Kano State also attended the Eid-el-Kabir praying ground with other clergy members. He emphasized the need to strengthen good relationships during such periods. “I came from Kano State to visit my Muslim friends and Imams at the Kaduna mosque to wish them a happy Sallah. We came from various churches to strengthen our relationship with our brothers,” Reverend Chori said. He prayed for peace and stability in the country, reiterating that “we are one family under God.”
Mallam Sunusi Surajo, a member of the Eid-el-Kabir ground preparatory committee, praised Kaduna State for leading the way in promoting peace and religious tolerance across Nigeria. “We pray for more peace and unity across all 36 states of Nigeria,” Surajo stated, expressing his happiness over the Christian delegation’s visit from Kaduna and Kano. He prayed for continued peace and harmony between Muslims and Christians.
The event also saw the participation of notable figures such as former Governor of Kaduna Alhaji Dr. Ramalan Yero, top Islamic scholars, and traditional titleholders. This year’s Eid-el-Kabir, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, was a significant occasion for promoting religious tolerance and harmony in a region often affected by sectarian tensions.
Pastor Yohanna Buru’s presence, along with other Christian leaders dedicated to fostering peace, further underscored the event’s importance in building a united and peaceful Nigeria. In another development, a team of Christian clergy from Kasuwar Magani in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State, headed by Reverend Danjuma Mazadu Makama, visited their Muslim colleagues at mosques to wish them a happy Sallah and to strengthen peace and unity among the residents in the area. Christian youth leader Mr. Peter Jonathan noted that their visit aimed to boost good relationships and strengthen Christian-Muslim relations in the state. They prayed for peace and stability in the country.
