By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The right spirit –that of universality of mankind- was on display in Kaduna State, North-Central Nigeria, today when a pastor led
his colleagues and Christian youths to clean a Muslim prayer ground and its surroundings in preparation for the forthcoming Islamic festival of Eid-el-Kabir.
The initiative was part of efforts to promote religious tolerance, peace, and unity among the two major religions –Christianity and Islam -and their adherents.
The gesture, which happened in Kasuwar Magani, a volatile area of Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of the mainly Christian Southern part of the State, also counted as part of the bid to foster peaceful coexistence, encourage interfaith dialogue, and build stronger ties between different religious communities.
General Overseer (G.O.), Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor (Dr) Yohanna Buru, organized the team of Christian leaders and youths to support their Muslim neighbors in cleaning the prayer ground.
The cleaning exercise, which lasted several hours, provided an opportunity for Christians and Muslims to interact and engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange goodwill, and discuss ways to deepen religious understanding and collaboration.
Pastor Yohanna said: “This is not the first time Christians are participating in such an initiative. At Kasuwar Magani, located in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Christian youths and elders have regularly joined their Muslim counterparts in preparing the Eid prayer ground.
“These joint efforts, involving both Christian pastors and Muslim imams, aim to create a clean and welcoming environment for worship, while fostering unity and mutual respect.”
Pastor Buru emphasized the shared values between Muslims and Christians, noting that both faiths believe in one God and have sacred texts—the Bible and the Quran.
Disclosing the exact nature of work done at the prayer ground, he said: “Together, participants cleared overgrown grass and removed trash around the mosque, beautifying the area.”
Pastor Buru, who personally took part in the exercise, was accompanied by Reverend Danjuma Mazadu Makama and several Christian youths.
They all stressed the importance of promoting peace and unity through such service.
“We came here to support our brothers by cutting the grass and cleaning the mosque environment, with the goal of promoting peace and unity,” Pastor Buru reiterated.
“We hope to continue this initiative annually to foster religious harmony in the region.
“We were here last year, and we are back again this year to strengthen our relationship,” he said.
The G.O. thanked the Muslim community for accepting their support, saying: “We appreciate our Muslim brothers for allowing us to join them in this meaningful act.”
He extended his Sallah greetings to Muslims around the world and called on wealthy individuals to remember orphans, widows, and the less fortunate during the celebration.
Pastor Buru also sent greetings to prominent Islamic leaders including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111; Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi; Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky; Sheikh Ahmed Mahmud Gumi; Sheikh Salihu Mai-Barota; and his (Buru’s) friend, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
