By Maryam Diallo
Report on the Interfaith Exchange Visit: Interfaith Dialogue through Scriptural Reasoning
Christian-Dominant Community (Ungwan Romi) Hosts Muslim-Dominant Community (Tudun Wada), Kaduna
Organized by: Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) Kaduna
In Collaboration with: Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP)
Convened by: Malam Hayatu Ashafa
Venue: Levida Classic Event and Lodge, Ungwan Romi, Kaduna
Date: Friday, February 2025
Opening Session
The event began with interfaith prayers and introductions, followed by a welcome address from Malam Hayatu Nura Ashafa, Co-Director of IMC. He highlighted the purpose of the event: to break down religious stereotypes and foster unity in Kaduna City. The initiative is part of his participation in the 2024/2025 COFP Fellowship Program, which supports community peacebuilding efforts.
He acknowledged the impact of past religious and political conflicts in Kaduna and stressed the importance of interfaith collaboration, trust-building, and community-led peace initiatives.
Project Objectives:
The initiative aims to address interfaith mistrust and promote peaceful coexistence through:
1. Interfaith Understanding: Facilitating dialogue between Christian and Muslim youth through exchange programs, scriptural reasoning, and storytelling.
2. Youth Capacity Building: Training youth in Conflict Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) to prevent violence.
3. Community Engagement in Peace Advocacy: Encouraging religious and traditional leaders, politicians, and stakeholders to actively support unity.
4. Institutionalizing Peacebuilding: Encouraging religious leaders to advocate for peace through sermons and public platforms.
Remarks by the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP):
Malam Idris Jibril, COFP representative, highlighted the foundation’s mission to promote peace and social change through ethical leadership and strategic interventions. He emphasized that while conflicts in Africa often appear religious, they stem from deeper structural issues.
COFP’s peacebuilding efforts focus on:
1. Training and advocacy to promote religious tolerance.
2. Climate change actions to foster sustainable peace.
Scriptural Reasoning Session: Theme – Hospitality
Facilitated by: Malam Hayatu Ashafa
Guidelines for scriptural reasoning included:
1. Respect for different religious traditions and scriptures.
2. Active listening and engagement.
Christian Perspective on Hospitality
Scriptural Reference: Luke 24:28-35
Reverend John Akor emphasized that hospitality brings unexpected blessings, referencing Hebrews 13:2.
He urged participants to practice hospitality to foster unity and peace.
Islamic Perspective on Hospitality
Scriptural Reference: Quran 59:9 (Surah Al-Hashr)
Imam Hussain discussed altruism (Ithar), the Islamic principle of prioritizing others’ needs.
He encouraged generosity, selflessness, and service to the less privileged as essential for community harmony.
Participant Reflections and Feedback
Participants highlighted key takeaways:
1. Hospitality fosters peace and understanding.
2. Interfaith dialogue breaks stereotypes and enhances respect.
3. Commitment to community peace initiatives was affirmed.
Community Feedback & Proposed Solutions
Ungwan Romi (Christian Community)
Problems Identified:
1. Political division
2. Religious intolerance
3. Fear of one religion
Proposed Solutions:
1. Promoting love and tolerance
2. Encouraging interfaith marriages and collaboration
3. Establishing interfaith sports initiatives for youth
Tudun Wada (Muslim Community)
Problems Identified:
1. Misinterpretation of religious teachings
2. Poverty
3. Lack of political will
Proposed Solutions:
1. Empowering youth through education and skills acquisition
2. Religious leaders promoting peace and acceptance
3. Continuous interfaith exchange programs
Participants acknowledged the need for ongoing interfaith engagement, youth inclusion, and government involvement to foster trust and peace in Kaduna.
Lecture on Conflict Transformation and Early Warning Response Mechanisms
Facilitated by: Reverend John Akor
Key insights:
1. Religious teachings advocate hospitality and peace.
2. Restoring peace requires openness, respect, and proactive trust-building.
Conflict Early Warning Signs:
1. Unusual market closures
2. Small tense gatherings
3. Empty streets
Prevention Strategies:
1. Verifying information before acting.
2. Engaging community leaders and Securities to prevent escalation.
Participant Remarks:
Imam Hussain Makajuola (COFP Ambassador): Emphasized government support for interfaith dialogue.
Malam Haruna Yakub (District Head Representative): Urged religious and traditional leaders to sustain interfaith programs.
Pastor Emmanuel Augustine: Called for collaboration and respect as pillars for reconciliation.
Abubakar Sadiq (Hausa Muslim Youth): Shared his transformative experience of visiting a Christian community for the first time.
Nimkur Dashe (Youth Leader, Ungwan Romi): Overcame youth resistance and encouraged interfaith participation.
Malam Mustapha (Religious Leader, Tudun Wada): Stressed that interfaith engagement is missing in Kaduna’s peacebuilding and invited the Christian community to Tudun Wada for a reciprocal dialogue session.
Conclusion
The event concluded with remarks from Malam Hayatu Ashafa, who commended participants for their openness to interfaith collaboration.
The Interfaith Exchange Visit was a success, fostering:
Unity and trust between Christian and Muslim youth.
Commitment to ongoing interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding.
Plans for future interfaith engagements, skills acquisition programs, and literacy initiatives.
This initiative serves as a model for expanding interfaith collaboration across divided communities, ensuring sustainable peace in Kaduna City.
