President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, yesterday congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and all Muslims across Nigeria on the celebration of this year’s Maolud Nabiyy, the birthday of Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him).
In a statement in Abuja, Archbishop Okoh said: “On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Christian community at large, I extend our warm congratulations and heartfelt greetings to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and all our Muslim compatriots across Nigeria on the auspicious occasion of Maolud Nabiyy.
“As we commemorate this significant festival, we acknowledge Nigeria’s diverse society, comprising individuals from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. It is within this rich diversity that our strength as a nation resides.
“Consequently, we must persist in promoting mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all religious communities.
“Once more, on behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria, I wish the Muslim faithful in Nigeria a peaceful celebration.”
Also, Christian clerics yesterday joined their Muslim counterparts in celebrating Maulud Nabiyy at the Kaduna Stadium in Kaduna State.
The General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor Yohanna Buru, led the group of church leaders during the event.
The cleric said the gesture was aimed at fostering peaceful co-existence, inter-religious tolerance, and a deeper understanding between Muslims and Christians in the country.
Pastor Buru emphasised that the Maulud Nabiyy celebration provided an opportunity for Christians and Muslims to come together, interact, dialogue, and exchange ideas.
He said the occasion was aimed at promoting peace and unity in the country.
Pastor Buru, who was accompanied by Pastors George John, Maxwell Sanda, Gabriel Stephen, and Rowland Sanda, stressed the essence of celebrating together to promote peace and harmony in the country.
He said: “For over a decade, Muslims had been inviting Pastor Buru and other Christian clergies in northern Nigeria to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet together.
“We must remember that we were all created by one God, and we are the children of Adam and Eve. We both have our holy scriptures, the Bible and the Qur’an, from one God, guiding us on how to live in peace and harmony with each other,” Pastor Buru said.
The cleric urged other people from different tribes and religions to embrace one another and exhibit love.
He called for mutual forgiveness to foster national development and progress.
Pastor Buru expressed concern about the escalating insecurity in the country, including killings, banditry, kidnappings, and ethno-religious crises.
He urged Muslims and Christians to continue prayers for the nation, emphasising the need for divine intervention in the various challenges facing the country.
An Islamic scholar, Imam Muhammad Salisu, expressed elation at seeing thousands of Muslims celebrating Maulud Nabiyy at the stadium.
He observed that celebrating the occasion with Christian leaders had become a cherished tradition that promoted peace and unity in the country.
Imam Salisu extended his gratitude to Pastor Buru and other Christian leaders who consistently joined the Muslim community in celebrating Maulud Nabiyy.
He urged the Federal Government to recognise Pastor Buru’s efforts with a national award for his role in promoting peace-building, inter-religious tolerance, and mutual understanding among adherents of different faith-based organisations in the country.
