Muslims at the church anniversary service

By Femi Adi/Kaduna.

In an effort to consolidate on the existing peace between Muslims and Christians, groups of Muslims and their leaders on Sunday attended a church service in Kaduna.

Prominent amongst the groups that attended the church services to celebrate the seventh anniversary of Christ Evangelical and Intercessory Fellowship Ministry are the Shiite, Izala and others.

Speaking while delivering his sermon at the anniversary service, General Overseer of Christ Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship Ministry, Pastor Yohanna Buru, said the physical presence of Muslims from different sects in the church is a clear evidence that the hatred and acrimony that hitherto had caused division between Christians and Muslims is gradually giving way for a peaceful coexistence.

Pastor Yohanna Buru

He also said the motive behind the church inviting the various Muslims groups to join the church to celebrate its anniversary is to help strengthen religious tolerance and promote peace between adherents of both Islam and Christian religions in Kaduna and Nigeria.

According to Pastor Buru, it is only when Muslims attend Christian services to witness Christian way of worship that they can truly appreciate that both religions preach peace and love.

“The bible teaches Christians to love their neighbours and that is what we have done today”. He stressed.

While condemning inciting sermons by some religious leaders, he urged adherents of both Islam and Christian religions to see all human beings as people created by God and live together in peace and harmony.

In interview with TheNEWS shortly after the three hours service held at Gbagyi Villa , Sabon-Tasha, Kaduna , Pastor Buru disclosed that though some Christians don’t believe Muslims can attend church service such as the one organised by the church today, the idea is muted to create a platform for interactions that would help solve the problem of religious intolerance and crises.

One of the Muslims, Mohammed Isa who attended the church service told TheNEWS that attending a church service to celebrate with Christians has exposed him and his other Muslim brothers to understand that there is no reason for fighting and killing one another over religious difference.

He therefore urged Christians across the country to do same by emulating the Muslims.