Muslim and Christian leaders unite to push message of reconciliation in the North

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Northern Reconciliation Group (NRG) has paid courtesy visits to the headquarters of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna as part of efforts to promote peace and religious harmony in Northern Nigeria.

The visit, which took place on Tuesday, was led by the group’s protem chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and brought together Muslim and Christian leaders working toward reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking at the CAN Secretariat, Baba-Ahmed said the visit was meant to clearly show that Muslims and Christians in the North are not enemies and can live together despite religious and cultural differences.

He explained that the group is made up of Northern Muslims and Christians who share common values of justice, peace and mutual respect, stressing that neither Islam nor Christianity teaches hatred toward people of other faiths.

According to him, the group was formed in response to the suffering ordinary northerners have endured due to repeated religious conflicts driven by ignorance, manipulation and selfish interests.

Baba-Ahmed added that the visit also coincided with the Christmas season and was meant to express solidarity with the Christian community and wish them peaceful celebrations.

Responding, the Chairman of CAN in the 19 northern states and the FCT, John Hayab, described the visit as timely and historic, noting that Muslims and Christians had lived peacefully for many years before divisions were amplified.

Hayab said true religious teachings emphasise love, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence, assuring that the Christian community welcomes the gesture and is ready to reciprocate it.

At the JNI headquarters, Baba-Ahmed said the growing divide between Muslims and Christians had become dangerous and urged Nigerians to take responsibility for healing old wounds and rebuilding trust.

In his response, JNI Secretary-General, Khalid Aliyu, welcomed the delegation and described the visit as a return to the North’s long tradition of religious cooperation, pledging JNI’s readiness to partner with the group to promote peace and unity.

Source: People’s Gazette