Foundation preaches religious tolerance to develop Nigeria

The Emir of Kano, Dr. Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, has called for a renewed focus on development in Northern Nigeria, urging the Western countries to prioritise building standard hospitals, schools and industries rather than promoting religion.

He made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 50th anniversary of the visit of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass to Jos when General Yakubu Gowon was Head of State five decades ago. Nyass was the President of Senegal at the time of his visit.

He made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 50th anniversary of the visit of Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse to Jos.

The event, organised by the Plateau State Da’ Iratu Ahlus Sa’adah, was to promote peace and religious harmony.

Sanusi noted: “If you go to Rome, Saudi Arabia or Iran, don’t go there to bring religion. We already have religion. Let them come and invest in agriculture.

“If you really love the North, come and give us information technology, build hospitals and build schools. Don’t preach hatred. Don’t preach enmity. We do not want it.

“We have been Muslims and Christians for hundreds of years. We do not need anybody to come and tell us how to be Muslims and Christians.

“My character was formed by CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria). Yusuf Pam, here, is my good friend and classmate. We went to school together and we went to ABU Zaria together and Lagos together successfully.”

He added: “I have Muslim friends and I have many Christian friends. When I was asked to leave Kano in 2020, it was Christians who made available for me a plane to jet out. Why should I not like Christians and Christianity?”

Sanusi stated: “The Quran said that you must be close to those who you love most, and Christians are there. Why are we interested in preaching hatred?

“Allah does not prevent you from being kind to those who love you. What stops you as a Muslim from saying ‘Happy Christmas to a Christian? Allah only trusts you on account of your faith. Everyone has the freedom of speech, belief and worship their way.

“Fight those who wage war against you, but you should not be on the aggression. As I have said, Christianity and Islam don’t preach hatred. So, anybody who preaches hatred should be arrested and prosecuted, whether Muslim or Christian”.

In his remarks, Gowon, who was represented, thanked the Emir for his advocacy of peaceful co-existence, even as he appreciated Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his non-violent and non-partisan governance on the Plateau.

CAN Chairman, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, recited “Bismillah Ar-Rahaman Raheem” to the delight of the crowd, adding that Islam and Christianity preach peace.

“The two religions all believe in the last day. They all believe in God Almighty. The only difference is the mode of prayers and worship. I positively respond to “Allahu Akbar” and “As-Salam Alaikum” because they are praising God.

“Allahu Akbar” means God is great and “As-Salam Alaikum” means peace be unto you. Who doesn’t need peace?” he concluded.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Samuel Jatau, saluted the monarch for his visit to the state.

IN a similar vein, the Executive Director of the CLEEN Foundation, Dr Gad Shamaki, has submitted that Nigeria will continue to be underdeveloped if it remains tied to the umbilical cord of religious bigotry.

He advised clerics to promote peace and shun politics and political leaders for the country to grow.

In his keynote address at a stakeholders’ engagement on the National Anthem and the National Value Character, organised by the Plateau State National Orientation Agency (NOA) in  Jos, Shamaki stated that it was unthinkable to believe there could be national unity when the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) or Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) all build private schools where their exclusive tribal and religious children attend.

Interestingly, he said such children might even grow to reach 20 to 30 years without knowing that there is another religion or tribe as the case may be.

He reasoned that public interest has been eroded as people are more inclined to their religions, tribes and languages rather than the national project that binds people together.

In her welcome address, NOA State Director, Mrs. Kaneng Thabita Noro Pam, said they do not have religious or tribal differences, which makes them unique.