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Towards ensuring harmonious relationship and peaceful coexistence among the various religions, a one day Interfaith Dialogue workshop for religious leaders has been held in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The workshop was organised by the Action Aid Nigeria in partnership with the Global Peace Development, supported by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund ( GCERF) .
Speaking at event, the Executive Director of Global Peace Development, Esike Eburuke who was represented by the Kaduna State Coordinator of Global Peace Development, Mrs. Chat Sunday said that conflicts among several followers of different religions had grown in many parts of Nigeria.
He explained that violence committed in the name of religion had continued to threatens
the cultural,social and religious coexistence among communities, adding that religious institutions and communities had been affected by the growing conflicts.
Ebruke stated that this had led to the emergency of several crises such as internal conflict and violence displacement. pointing out that this challenge had undermined the stability of Nigeria.
According to him, violence was seriously hreatening the existing cultural, religious and social fabric of the concerned societies.
In his opening remarks, the Director General, Kaduna State Bureau for Interfaith, represented by the Acting Director of Religious Affairs, Christian matters , Mrs Gora Catherine Safiya said that building peace was very important in every society.
He said that there was need for people to understand each other, saying that through dialogue people could understand each community just as he called on the organisers of the dialogue to be carry out more interfaith Dialogue for people and communities to understand the importance of peace.
On his part, the Resilience Coordinator of Action Aid Nigeria, Anicetus Atakpu said that the aim of the project in Kaduna state was to strengthen communities against radicalisation and violent extremism among believers.
He explained that religious leaders had a role to play in preventing violent extremism and ensuring conflict management.
Speaking on the critical role of religious institutions in preventing violent extremism the Executive Director, Interfaith Mediation Centre in Nigeria, Imma Dr Muhammad N. Asfha said that the role of religious actors in peace building was very important, adding that religious leaders were important in building peace and security architecture of the country.
He added that religious Interfaith Dialogue was one of the best approaches to nation-building.
“We Must embark on interfaith Dialogue either we like or not. He said
He called on religious leaders to embark on Interfaith Dialogue as the 2023 general elections in the country were fast approaching to achieve free fair and violence-free elections…. Continue reading
