Abuja: Religious understanding and meaningful interaction have emerged as key steps toward building trust among people of different faiths and promoting peaceful coexistence. The call for greater understanding and engagement came up in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a conference on inter-religious harmony in Abuja. The event was organised by the Muslim World League (MWL) in partnership with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Isa Hussain, co-founder of Muslim Voice for Peace, an international Da’wah organisation based in Mecca and Washington, D.C., emphasized the need for people to work together for the greater good. He highlighted the importance of learning about other faiths to dispel fear and ignorance. Hussain suggested that people of different faiths visit one another’s places of worship to gain a better understanding of each other.
Hajia Saudat Abdullahi, a special guest at the ceremony, stressed the necessity of cooperation and respect for humanity to achieve peace, irrespective of religious differences. She urged Nigerians to work together to resolve national challenges, emphasizing that the country should unite as it did in the past for peaceful coexistence.
Alhaji Aminuddeen Abubakar, a participant from Kogi State, identified ignorance and religious rivalry as major causes of conflict among adherents of different faiths. He noted that when people see themselves as rivals, it hinders peace. Abubakar advocated for a deeper understanding and practice of religious teachings to foster peace.
Maryam Mohammed, Amira of JIBWIS Nasau Sunnah, FCT, highlighted the importance of peace for national progress. She called for Muslims and Christians to collaborate in restoring peace, emphasizing that all religions preach peace. Mohammed urged Nigerians to promote peaceful relations and adhere to religious teachings that call for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.