Hundreds of Muslims from different parts of Northern Nigeria on Thursday attended the Christmas service of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna, underscoring a sustained commitment to interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The General Overseer of the church, Pastor Yohanna Buru, described the presence of Muslim worshippers at the annual celebration as a long-standing tradition that continues to draw participants from all 19 Northern states.
He explained that Muslims from various Islamic sects — including Tijjaniyya, Shi’ite groups under the Islamic Movement, and Sunni Muslims — took part in the service to mark the birth of Jesus Christ while promoting peace, unity and mutual understanding.
“This is the 15th time Muslims and Christians are gathering for this historic annual event to strengthen our relationship and foster unity,” he said.
Buru disclosed that Muslim delegations also presented gifts to the church, noting that the gesture symbolised love, friendship and unity between adherents of both religions.
According to him, the celebration was held against the backdrop of economic hardship, insecurity, rising food prices, poverty and unemployment, making interfaith cooperation and collective prayers essential for national stability.
He added that the consistent attendance of hundreds of Muslims at the church’s Christmas services over the years demonstrated the deepening interreligious bonds in Northern Nigeria.
The cleric urged religious leaders to intensify prayers for peace and appealed to Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in tackling the country’s security challenges.
“We are all children of Adam and Eve. We worship one God, have holy books, and believe in paradise and hell. These shared values should unite us,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Islamic scholar Sheikh Salihu Mai-Barota said Muslims were present to celebrate with Christians, promote peace and encourage religious tolerance.
He called on followers of both faiths to continue praying for peace and advised youths to avoid religious violence and desist from spreading fake news on social media.
Also speaking, Imam Ibrahim Musa of Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, congratulated Christians on the Christmas celebration and urged young people to support government efforts aimed at peace and unity.
He noted that Muslims and Christians often visited one another during religious festivities, including celebrations marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad, as a way of strengthening mutual respect and understanding.
Musa described the church’s annual Christmas service as a strong demonstration of interfaith harmony in Nigeria.
The cleric further revealed that Pastor Buru received the 2022 United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week Award, presented by King Abdullah II of Jordan, in recognition of his peacebuilding efforts.
Other speakers at the event, including Sheikh Ahmed Rufai and Mallam Lawal Maduru, emphasised the need for sustained prayers for peace, responsible use of social media and cautioned youths against drug abuse.
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