District Head of Gagi in Sokoto South Local Government Area, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, has urged communities to organise more interfaith engagements to foster unity.
Umar-Jabbi made the appeal during a Ramadan fast-breaking event organised by the Community Dialogue Committee, CDC, for Durbawa, Tsaki, Mallamawa, and Gagi communities on Sunday.
He said interfaith activities promote religious tolerance, peace, love, forgiveness and understanding — values essential for overcoming the challenges currently facing Nigeria.
He explained that CDC organised the event due to its importance and urged groups and associations to emulate the initiative, considering rising community vulnerability to crime.
Umar-Jabbi said the initiative is aimed at uniting Muslims and Christians through shared meal, strengthening bonds and promoting unity among faith-based organisations.
He emphasised that such efforts help to combat religious extremism and hatred, fostering harmony and national cohesion among citizens of different faiths.
Muslims and Christians jointly participated in the fast-breaking and he encouraged other group leaders to explore similar ways of enhancing interfaith engagement.
“God created us to relate with all humans, regardless of tribe, culture, religion, colour, size, region, or continent,” Umar-Jabbi added.
Earlier, the CDC Coordinator for Kware Local Government Area, Malam Ahmad Yaro, said the initiative seeks to promote religious tolerance in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Yaro noted that the event shows how NGOs unite people across religious and cultural divides, with support from individuals and the district head.
He described the event as successful, citing positive feedback from attendees on the importance of fostering brotherhood among Nigerians.
CDC Secretary, Malam Bello Doki, described the event as a step in the right direction to strengthen ties between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Doki highlighted the importance of holding similar events beyond Ramadan, given their role in promoting peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
He stressed that criminals and those with bad conduct do not represent any religious teachings and should not define interfaith relations.
He called for increased understanding, tolerance and collaboration among religious adherents to address insecurity and other societal challenges.
A Christian leader, Reverend Matthew Ayuba praised the organisers, saying the event would enhance peaceful co-existence, tolerance, forgiveness and interfaith ties.
Ayuba said the programme would spread peace and unity, urging Nigerians to reject all forms of ethnic, religious, political and regional division.
“We must love our Muslim neighbours. That is why we are here, to celebrate Ramadan with them and encourage devotion to Allah,” he said.
The event was attended by community leaders, youths, women groups, civil societies, NGOs and individuals. NAN
