Reports by Abdulfattah Abdussalam
An Abuja-based Islamic organization recently had its 10th annual Interfaith Dialogues. The Youth wing of the Lugbe Muslim Ummah Islamic Trust (LMUIT) usually brings together Muslim and Christian Youths from states surrounding the Federal Capital Territory to rub minds in finding common grounds towards peaceful co-existence between the two main religions.
The programme also promotes religious tolerance among youths and encourages a firm understanding of the principles guiding the two religions. The theme for the dialogue was ‘Let us Come and Reason Together,’ while the topic for discussion was Who Is The Holy Spirit? Two guest speakers from the two main religions were at the occasion. Ustaz Ismail I.Ohiare, the Muslim Speaker, was impressed by the turnout of participants and the youth’s presence. He encouraged the organizers to see the annual events as a laudable advocacy capable of fostering peace and harmony among the adherents of the two religions. He says the dialogue, ‘’is a platform that brings together people from different religious persuasions where topics of mutual interest are discus to have a good understanding of the two main Religions”.
His Christian counterpart from Akwanga Nasarawa state, Reverend Steven Jatau Kwane, admonished participants to find permanent solutions to the insecurity situations in the country and religious clashes thus: “let Nigerians, especially Imams, Pastors and religious workers reason together and understand themselves. And if they do that, the country will be in peace and harmony for development. The killing of one another is not part of God’s purpose for why He created us. ‘Let us Come and Reason together….even the bible says so”.
Alh. Mohammad Aliyu Yabagi, the Vice Chairman of LMUIT, commended the Youth Wing Members on the success recorded at the programme. He thanked them for being persistent and conducting the programme in line with the vision of the parent body. He was glad the theme of the event captured the purpose of why the Lugbe Muslim Ummah Islamic Trust supervise and sponsors the annual events. In his commendation, Mal. Kabiru Usman, the Secretary General of LMUIT, was also happy with the events managers.
He told participants at the events that the interfaith dialogue initiated by the LMUIT is to ensure harmony between Muslims and non-Muslims. Mal. Abubakar Sadiq Kafanchan, the head of the planning committee, called for the Federal Government of Nigeria’s interest in interfaith dialogue events among the Nigerian youths to foster peace among the Youths of Nigeria and thus secure peaceful living among them.
The programme concluded with a communiqué where participants agreed that there is the need to forget their religious differences, understand their religious dictates and have mutual respect for their differences to have lasting peace in the country. The programme is all about peaceful and Religious Tolerance between Muslims and non-Muslims.