Stakeholders in the inter-religious faith have called on Nigerians to embrace peace and tolerance irrespective of their faith and ethnicity.
They spoke in Abuja at the 8th edition of the UFUK Dialogue Iftar and Award ceremony.
The event brought together religious and political leaders, as well as members of civil society, to echo the need for harmony across ethnic and religious divides.
In his opening remarks, the president of UFUK Dialogue, Mr. Emrah Ilgen, urged Nigerians to take decisive steps towards fostering peace and justice.
Ilgen, who acknowledged Nigeria’s rich diversity, stated: “We are people of different religious backgrounds and ethnicities. Let us take a step toward peace, unity, and justice.”
Also speaking, Rear Admiral O. M. Olotu from the National Defence College expressed his appreciation for UFUK Dialogue’s commitment to peace and emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence, particularly in the current climate of global religious and ethnic tensions.
“We are happy to associate with UFUK Dialogue and are grateful for this programme that promotes the message of peace,” he said.
Also, an Abuja-based Imam, Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid, encouraged Nigerians to live in harmony, stressing that factors like ethnicity and physical attributes are beyond personal choice.
Khalid, who is also known as Digital Imam, said: “We are not fighting ourselves; I did not choose my height or where I hail from. It is a divine choice, but we have the choice to live in peace. There is a seat for you in my mind”.
In her speech, Hajia Aisha Bagudu, wife of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, urged Nigerians to reflect on peace beyond the holy month of Ramadan and to extend goodwill to the less privileged in society.
“Do we share peace after Ramadan? Do we think about the less privileged?” She asked.
Also speaking, Mr Ade Ipaye, former Deputy Chief of Staff to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, warned of the devastating impact of religious conflict.
“Religious conflict is the ugliest in the world, and its effect is usually brutal. I must congratulate UFUK Dialogue for promoting religious harmony in our midst,” he said.
Meanwhile, in recognition of their contributions to peace, religious tolerance, and social harmony in Nigeria, former President, Muhammadu Buhari;
Mr. Yusuf Kabir; and Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu bagged awards at the event.
Other awardees were Senator Simon Bako Lalong, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Rev. Fr. Joseph Tile Nomhwange, and Muhammed Nurudeen Lemu.
