By Daniel Karlmax
A Christian cleric, Pastor Yohanna Buru, has demonstrated a high level of religious tolerance by leading his followers to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud with Muslims in Kaduna State to strengthen peace and better understanding among different faith based organization.
The Interfaith advocate who is also the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention said the celebration marked his 11th consecutive year of participating in Maulud activities with Muslims in Kaduna and other parts of northern Nigeria.
Speaking at the event at the Murtala Muhammad square Kaduna, Pastor Buru said his participation was motivated by the need to promote peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, mutual respect and stronger relationships between Christians and Muslims.
He said the Maulud celebration provided an important opportunity for people of different faiths to come together, interact and understand one another, stressing that peaceful coexistence requires dialogue and mutual respect.
Delivering a lecture on peace and unity, Pastor Buru said Prophet Muhammad (SAW) should be viewed as a messenger whose teachings on peace, love and compassion are relevant to humanity.
“The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is for all mankind, irrespective of tribe, culture, region, colour, race or nationality.”
The cleric called on Nigerians from different religious and ethnic backgrounds to embrace one another, forgive past differences and work together to build a peaceful and united nation.
According to him, Christians and Muslims share a common belief in one Creator and should use their respective scriptures as guides towards peaceful coexistence.
Pastor Buru said his participation in Maulud celebrations does not affect his Christian faith, explaining that joining Muslims during their religious celebrations is part of his efforts to strengthen interfaith understanding.
“Each year, I participate in more than 30 Maulud celebrations from one state to another and in some neighbouring countries, with the aim of celebrating with Muslims and promoting peace, unity and religious tolerance,” he said.
Pastor Buru was accompanied to the celebration by Pastor George John, Reverend Rowland Sanda, Gabriel Stephen and other members of his church.
Also speaking, Reverend Rowland Sanda said Christian leaders had continued to accept invitations from Muslims to participate in Maulud celebrations as part of efforts to strengthen relationships between followers of the two major faiths with the aim of promoting better understanding towards promoting peace building and religious tolerance
“Every year, Muslims invite us to participate in their annual Maulud gatherings, and we always come to celebrate with them because we believe in promoting peace, unity and good relationships among people of different faiths.”
Sanda added that Christians also invite Muslims to their churches during Christmas celebrations to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
An Islamic scholar, Imam Mohammed Musa, and Imam iliyasu Yusuf Zaria kaduna commended the Christian leaders for joining Muslims to celebrate Maulud, describing the practice as a cherished tradition that promotes religious understanding and peaceful coexistence.
He said the participation of Christian leaders in the annual Maulud celebration had become an important platform for bringing people of different faiths together and strengthening peace and unity in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.
Editing By Godwin Duru
