Inter-religious Leaders Call For National Harmony

Christian and Muslim leaders in Nigeria have warned that the nation’s deep religiosity is being undermined by hypocrisy, and only a return to genuine faith can steer Nigeria away from division and stagnation.

The inter-religious leaders issued the warning yesterday in Abuja during a national consultation on the role of faith in nation-building, time to harness the spiritual energy of the concurrent seasons of Lent and Ramadan.

The event, themed “Faith, Fasting and Nation-Building: Ramadan and Lent Reflections for National Harmony,” was organised by the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria and Faith & Freedom Africa/Nigeria.

The country director of the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, challenged his fellow leaders to move beyond mere rituals and confront the uncomfortable realities holding the country back.

“This is the consultation of faith leaders to consider faith and nation-building, considering that we are observing Lent and Ramadan at the same time.

“There is a need for all of us as faith people to use our religious teaching to change the narrative about this country,” he said.

Adding his voice to the call for national rebirth, Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed, a representative from the National Mosque in Abuja, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the gathering as a practical step toward harmony.

“The gathering is to bring Muslim and Christian leaders together. We are all fasting, some are observing Ramadan, and some are observing Lent.

“This is the first time we are coming together to contemplate on how personal devotion will translate into a social responsibility in moving the country forward,” he said.

He stressed the core Islamic principle of benefiting others as a direct expression of faith and a cure for national ills.