In an effort to promote religious tolerance and better understanding among faith-based organisations in the country, some Christian leaders in Kaduna joined their Muslim counterparts to break the Ramadan fast, during an interfaith iftar breakfast at the Central Mosque of Masallacin Yan Doya, located in the heart of the Kaduna State capital.
Team Leader, Pastor Yohanna Buru, who is also the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, explained that the initiative aimed to foster religious tolerance, peace, love, forgiveness, and mutual understanding between the two faiths.
He said that this is annual interfaith Ramadan iftar dinner brings Muslim and Christian to exchange Goodwill messages and deliberate on further ways of promoting interreligious tolerance and promote peace and unity.
He noted that, for the past 19 years, he had been leading Christian clerics to join Islamic scholars during their Ramadan iftar gatherings, strengthening good relationships and promoting unity with one another..
Dr. Buru emphasised that the initiative’s broader goal is to promote religious tolerance not only within Nigeria but also in neighboring countries, such as Niger Republic, and across West Africa.
‘This effort will strengthen peaceful coexistence, foster better interfaith relations, and encourage forgiveness. It is also a powerful message of peace and unity, urging Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious, political, and regional divisions’, he stated.
The interfaith iftar dinner provides an opportunity for non-Muslims to join Muslims in breaking their fast, engage in peace dialogue, and discuss better ways to live in harmony, while reinforcing bonds between the two communities for greater peace and stability in the country.
Buru was accompanied by Reverend Maxwell, as well as other members of their congregation, during their visit to the central mosque at Yan Doya.
Reflecting on his past experiences, Buru recalled that he had previously joined prominent Islamic leaders, such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar III; Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, Sheikh Salihu Mai-Barota; and Sheikh Ibrahim Yaya to break the fast during Ramadan. This longstanding tradition is part of his efforts to strengthen Christian-Muslim relations.
‘Every year, we joined some top Islamic scholars to break Ramadan fast At home and some time At mosque to strengthen Christian and Muslim relationship’, he said.
In response, the Chief Imam of the Yan Doya mosque, Sheikh Ibrahim Kyauta expressed his gratitude for the visit, thanking the Christian clerics for joining them in the iftar meal and breakfast.
He appreciated the efforts to promote peace and unity and prayed that God would reward Buru for his good intentions in fostering peace across Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the positive impact of interfaith Ramadan iftar events, noting, ‘it is truly impressive to see how these events promote harmony among different faith-based groups in Kaduna.
‘Let us all join hands and pray for peace and unity in our state and the country at large’, adding that this is not the first time Buru and his team has been coming to join us in breaking fast to strengthen good relationships.
