A latest action by 150 Muslims and their leaders in the northern part of Nigeria in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ has shocked Nigerians.
No fewer than 150 Muslim youths and Imams worshipped together with Christians during Christmas service in Kaduna to strengthen peace, unity and religious tolerance in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical Intercessary Fellowship Ministry, led the service in Kaduna. He said that the prayer was to promote peaceful co-existence among different faith organisations "and to shun ethno-religious and political differences affecting the state for decades." Buru said "more than 150 Muslims youths and Imams, traditional title holders and various groups attended Christmas service with their brother Christians in order to promote peace and harmony and religious tolerance across the state.
"Prayers were offered by both Muslim and Christian scholars and we also pray for the unity and development of the country." The general overseer expressed satisfaction over the large number of Muslims who attended the service, as some Muslim youths protected the church by providing security service.
He said, "I am very happy with what I witnessed today. Today is a very special day to all Christians all over the world, it is surprising to see that not only Christians came to worship with us today. "We have large numbers of Muslim youths and traditional title holders who joined us in prayer; this is a clear fact that Nigerians can really be their brothers’ keepers; it is amazing.
"We all must remember that we are from same parents (Adam and Eve) and we all worship one God." Among the traditional title holders at the prayer was Alhaji Ahmed idris, the Chika Soran Zazzau and Hakimin Unguwar Ma'a'zu, who led a team of some Muslims to the pastor’s house to congratulate him and wish Christians a Merry Christmas.
Idris told Pastor Buru that "we are here to join our Christian brothers in prayers and to let you know that Muslims also love Jesus Christ. "We want to enlighten you and to let you know that in Islam, whoever does not believe in Jesus Christ is not a true believer. "We all must realise that we are from same parents and we all worship one God and we must know that there is no need for misunderstanding because we are one."