Church Holds Interfaith Summit For Peaceful Coexistence In Borno

The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Borno/ Yobe District, has convened an interfaith summit aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding and religious tolerance among communities in Borno State.

The summit, held yesterday in Maiduguri, brought together Christian and Muslim clerics, traditional rulers, youth leaders, women groups and church members.

The summit, held yesterday in Maiduguri, brought together Christian and Muslim clerics, traditional rulers, youth leaders, women groups and church members.

The convener, Apostle Joshua Akeredolu Michael, said the initiative was necessary to rebuild trust and unity in communities affected by over a decade of insurgency.

The Aostle, who is also the secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, added that the day’s summit was aimed at bringing Muslims and Christians in the state to talk more on peace building, peaceful coexistence within the state and the nation at large.

He noted that there would be no development in the state without peace, adding that the country will achieve little or nothing in the absence of peace.

Michael said what made the gathering unique is the coming together of different sects within Islam and Christianity, adding that the summit is part of activities for his consecration as Bishop-elect of Cherubim and Seraphim church in the Borno/ Yobe district headquarters.

“We started with the summit on Monday. From Tuesday to Thursday is a three-day revival where we will be praying for lasting peace in the state, the nation as well as praying for our leaders. On Saturday, we are giving awards with a book launch, while the consecration proper as Bishop-elect will take place on Sunday,” the Apostle said.

At the interfaith summit, the Imam of Federal Government College, Maiduguri Central Mosque, Ali Isa Fezzan, commended the church for the gesture, noting that peace cannot thrive where there is suspicion.

“We worship differently, but we live together. Our children go to the same markets and schools. We must protect that bond. As people of faith, we have a duty to preach peace, not division. Borno has suffered enough. It is time we stand together as brothers and sisters regardless of religion or tribe,” he said.

Imam Fezzan added that clerics from both Christianity and Islam discussed a lot because they need peace in Borno having experienced terrorism and extremism for decades.

“We came together to enlighten the people that both Islam and Christianity was divine from God. None of the heavenly religion ordered anybody to go and kill or go for extremism nor fanaticism. All these habits were condemned by the heavenly religions. We mentioned few verses from the holy Qur’an that teaches discipline and cordial relationship between Christians and Muslims,” Fezzan added.

In his remarks, the vice chairman of CAN in Borno, Rev Manasseh Bala, said the day is very significant because they are fulfilling the mandate of religious leaders to preach peace, noting that peace can only be achieved through dialogue, understanding religious differences and understanding how to live together despite the differences, and realise that God who brought them together desired that they should live in peace.