A Kaduna-based Christian cleric, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, recipient of the United Nations World International Interfaith Harmony week recognition by King Abdullahi of Jordan, has demonstrated a high level of religious tolerance by leading his followers to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud with Muslims in Kaduna State to strengthen peace and better understanding among different faith based organization.
Pastor Buru said this was his 11th time participating in the annual Maulud celebration alongside thousands of Muslims in Kaduna State and other parts of northern Nigeria.
Pastor Buru, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry and a recipient of international recognition for interfaith harmony, said the celebration marked his 11th consecutive year of participating in Maulud activities with Muslims in Kaduna and other parts of northern Nigeria.
The Christian leaders joined thousands of Muslims at Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, where religious leaders and members of the community gathered to commemorate the occasion.
Speaking at the event, Pastor Buru said his participation was motivated by the need to promote peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, mutual respect and stronger relationships between Christians and Muslims.
He said the Maulud celebration provides an important opportunity for people of different faiths to come together, interact and understand one another, stressing that peaceful coexistence requires dialogue and mutual respect.
Delivering a lecture on peace and unity, Pastor Buru said Prophet Muhammad (SAW) should be viewed as a messenger whose teachings on peace, love and compassion are relevant to humanity.
He said, “The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is for all mankind, irrespective of tribe, culture, region, colour, race or nationality.”
The cleric called on Nigerians from different religious and ethnic backgrounds to embrace one another, forgive past differences and work together to build a peaceful and united nation.
According to him, Christians and Muslims share a common belief in one Creator and should use their respective holy scriptures, the Bible and the Qur’an, as guides towards peaceful coexistence.
Pastor Buru said his participation in Maulud celebrations does not affect his Christian faith, explaining that joining Muslims during their religious celebrations is part of his efforts to strengthen interfaith understanding.
He disclosed that he participates in more than 30 Maulud celebrations every year across different states in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
“Each year, I participate in more than 30 Maulud celebrations from one state to another and in some neighbouring countries, with the aim of celebrating with Muslims and promoting peace, unity and religious tolerance,” he said.
He urged both Christians and Muslims to use the Eid-el-Maulud period to promote love, forgiveness, unity and peaceful coexistence across the country.
Pastor Buru was accompanied to the celebration by Pastor George John, Reverend Rawland Sanda, Gabriel Stephen and other members of his church.
Also speaking, Reverend Rawland Sanda said Christian leaders had continued to accept invitations from Muslims to participate in Maulud celebrations as part of efforts to strengthen relationships between followers of the two major faiths with the aim of promoting better understanding towards promoting peace building and religious tolerance
He said, “Every year, Muslims invite us to participate in their annual Maulud gatherings, and we always come to celebrate with them because we believe in promoting peace, unity and good relationships among people of different faiths.”
Sanda added that Christians also invite Muslims to their churches during Christmas celebrations to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
“We congratulate Muslims all over the world and pray for peace and unity in our dear country,” he said.
An Islamic scholar, Imam Mohammed Musa, and imam iliyasu Yusuf Zaria kaduna commended the Christian leaders for joining Muslims to celebrate Maulud, describing the practice as a cherished tradition that promotes religious understanding and peaceful coexistence.
He said the participation of Christian leaders in the annual Maulud celebration had become an important platform for bringing people of different faiths together and strengthening peace and unity in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.
He said, for 11th years, we have been celebrating the birth of our holy prophet with pastor Dr yohanna buru at various maulud celebration in kaduna and some parts of the northern Nigeria
They called on federal government to give him national honor for promoting practical peace and religious tolerance in reality
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