The Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria) has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, on his 70th birthday.
The Guild also extended Eid-el-Maulud greetings to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world, calling on the faithful to reflect on the values of peace, compassion, justice, tolerance and love for humanity associated with the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
In a statement issued by the Secretary of the GIMP-Nigeria Governing Board, Pastor (Barr.) Samuel Egburonu, the Sultan was described as an outstanding traditional ruler, statesman and bridge-builder who had made significant contributions to interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
Egburonu said the convergence of the Sultan’s 70th birthday with the Eid-el-Maulud season offered an opportunity to recognise his longstanding commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful engagement among people of different faiths.
He described the Sultan as not only the custodian of a revered traditional institution and leader of Nigeria’s Muslim community, but also a leading advocate of interfaith harmony and national unity.
“At a time when religious and ethnic differences are sometimes exploited to create suspicion and division, His Eminence has remained steadfast in promoting constructive dialogue between Muslims and Christians,” Egburonu said.
He noted that through his public interventions and engagements with religious and community leaders, the Sultan had consistently demonstrated the potential of religion to promote reconciliation, understanding and unity rather than conflict.
The Guild commended the Sultan’s sustained engagement with Christian leaders and other faith communities, saying his approach had helped strengthen the culture of interfaith diplomacy in Nigeria.
According to Egburonu, the Sultan’s example underscores the importance of patience, sincerity, courage and mutual respect in building meaningful relationships across religious divides.
On Eid-el-Maulud, he urged Muslims to draw inspiration from the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, particularly his emphasis on mercy, justice, peaceful coexistence and concern for the welfare of humanity.
“As Muslims commemorate the birth and exemplary life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, GIMP-Nigeria calls on all Nigerians to embrace the values that unite us and reject every form of religious hatred, intolerance and violence,” he said.
Egburonu further called on religious leaders, traditional institutions, the media and political leaders to work collectively towards building a more peaceful and united Nigeria.
He said the country’s religious, ethnic and cultural diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than division.
The Guild prayed for continued blessings, good health, wisdom and strength for the Sultan as he begins his eighth decade.
GIMP-Nigeria also wished Muslims across Nigeria a peaceful and spiritually rewarding Eid-el-Maulud celebration.
The statement concluded with birthday wishes to the Sultan and greetings of “Eid-el-Maulud Mubarak” to the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.
