The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said that Nigeria cannot afford to engage in religious conflict, even as he called on religious leaders to teach their adherents to embrace peace and eschew violence.
The Sultan who spoke today, Thursday, at the end of a three-day conference organized by the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) in collaboration with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), said that no nation can survive a war carried out in the name of religion.
Muhammad Sa’ad, who is also the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), called on religious leaders to teach their adherents to embrace peace.
“We have no option, but to live in peace. Our religious leaders must teach their followers on the need for peace. We cannot continue to live in violence and bloodshed and expect development.”
In a communiqué signed by KAICIID Nigeria Country expert, Joseph Tanko Atang, the Director General of KAICIID International Dialogue Centre and Institute for Peace and Conflict resolution, (IPCR), Mr. Fahad Abualnasr and Professor Oshita O. Oshita respectively, applauded the commitment of participating religious leaders in charting the path of interfaith unity, which is critical for peace, security and sustainable development. They thanked their Eminences, the Sultan of Sokoto, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other religious leaders for honouring the invitation and for their effective participation.
The National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson O. Ayokunle, in a closing speech, bemoaned the insurgency in the country, saying: “when I was elected CAN President, I wrote to the Sultan and told him of the willingness of CAN to work with Muslims in order to promote peace in the country. Lack of trust and mutual understanding must be dealt with. There are more common issues that unite us than issues that divide us. In the atmosphere of destruction, there will be no progress from both sides. We must seek for peace and attain it for the development of our country.”
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, speaking through Ambassador A. U Bako, commended KAICIID and other partners for organizing the event. The minister noted that the country cannot achieve peace in an atmosphere of conflict. She called on Nigerians to leverage on the nation’s diversity for development.
KAICIID Senior Advisor, Professor Mohammed Abu-Nimer, commended participants for their genuine engagement, saying, “I am happy that this conference has provided a platform for genuine interaction among participants. I hope the gains of this engagement will continue to manifest in promoting peace among Christian ad Muslims in Nigeria.”
At the end of the conference, participants resolved to promote interfaith platforms for religious scholars and leaders; foster religious freedom; partner with media to promote conflict-sensitive reporting on religion; explore legislative and other measures to curb hate speech; create opportunities for increased interfaith education: and work towards removing discrimination, among others. [myad]
