By ibrahima pima
In an effort toward strengthening peaceful coexistence among different faith base organization in Africa ,a Nigerian Christian clergy ,and a peace ambassador pastor yohanna buru has explained that since the beginning of this year annual maulud celebration ,he has so far attended over 50 different celebration across the 19 northern states of Nigeria with the aims of joining his Muslims scholars to promote interreligious tolerance and better understanding among the adherence of the two religion.
Buru made the statement while delivering his speech at a mosque in kaduna state north western Nigeria.
According to him, on daily basis ,he got maximum of 5 to 6 invitation from various Muslims organization to attend their annual maulud celebrations ,
He said ,maulud celebration provide a golden opportunity for Christians to meet ,interact, dialogue , discuss and exchange good ideas to strengthening Christians and Muslims relationships, stressing that it provide a platform where both muslims and Christians can resolved issues bordering them to avert conflict and mitigate crisis.
Buru said, every year, he attended over 60 to 70 different maulud starting from Nigeria to some part of west Africa to poster peace and unity across the region.
Adding the love for prophet Mohammed goes beyond Muslims alone simply because he is for all mankind irrespective of tribe, culture , ethnic ,religion, race, nations, or historical background.
The Christian clergy note that attending maulud dint make me become a muslim,but rather it strengthens me to promote peacebuilding activities while encouraging the adherence of the two religion to always live in peace and harmony
Buru added that every year, thousands of Muslims from various part of the northern Nigeria used to attend his church for Christmas celebration, and to make new friends with Christians
“we must remember that we are one family under God, worshipping the same God”
“we have holy Books which are Bible and Qur’an from the same God”
“we are children of Adam and eve”
“we all believed in paradise and hellfire” hence the need to be our brother’s keeper”
Responding one of the Islamic preacher at the mosque mallam Ibrahim tata ,thank the Christian cleric for honoring their invitation saying he never fail to attend their maulud
He said, even during Ramadan, pastor yohanna buru used to visit them at mosque with other Christians to break ramadan fast with them to promote peace and unity
He blessed the whole team of Christian clerics that accompany pastor yohanna to their mosque for honoring their invitation
While calling on the state government to be honoring some peace agents as ambassadors of peace in the state
