Hundreds of Muslims drawn from different parts of northern Nigeria on Thursday joined Christians at the Christmas service of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna, marking yet another powerful display of interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The General Overseer of the church, Yohanna Buru, disclosed that the participation of Muslims in the church’s annual Christmas celebration has become a well-established tradition that has endured for many years.
According to Buru, the event attracts participants from all 19 northern states, with Muslims attending from various Islamic sects, including Tijjaniyya, Shi’ite groups under the Islamic Movement, as well as Sunni Muslims, all coming together in the spirit of unity.
He explained that the gathering is not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but also to promote peace, religious tolerance, unity, and mutual understanding among people of different faiths.
“This is the 15th time Muslims and Christians are gathering for this historic annual event to strengthen our relationship and foster unity,” Buru said.
The cleric added that Muslim delegations presented gifts to the church during the celebration, describing the gesture as a symbol of love, friendship, and solidarity between Christians and Muslims.
He noted that the celebration was held despite prevailing economic hardship, insecurity, rising food prices, poverty, and unemployment across the country, stressing that interfaith cooperation, dialogue, and prayers remain crucial to national stability and peace.
Buru further stated that hundreds of Muslims have consistently attended the church’s Christmas services over the years, urging religious leaders across faiths to intensify prayers and advocacy for peace, unity, and development in Nigeria.
“We are all children of Adam and Eve. We worship one God, have holy books, and believe in paradise and hell. These shared values should unite us rather than divide us,” he said.
Speaking at the event, an Islamic scholar, Salihu Mai-Barota, said Muslims attended the Christmas service to rejoice with Christians and to demonstrate the importance of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
He urged adherents of both faiths to continue praying for peace in the country and advised young people to reject religious violence and avoid spreading fake news capable of fueling tension on social media.
Also speaking, Ibrahim Musa, an Imam from Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, congratulated Christians on the Christmas celebration.
Musa encouraged youths to support government initiatives aimed at promoting peace and unity, noting that Muslims and Christians regularly visit and celebrate with one another during major religious festivities.