THESHIELD Garkuwa
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By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
A community dialogue engagement drive to enhance relationship, religious tolerance and mutual understanding among various communities and religious sects in Sokoto state by the Kukah Center in partnership with Global Rights yesterday heralded the commemoration of the of International Peace Day.
The event was a deliberate drive to support the global Peace Day attain its cardinal objective of strengthening the basis for co-existence and human survival under mutual and beneficial fraternity.
Speaking, the District Head of Gagi Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi observed that irrespective of traditional or religious beliefs, people across the globe worshiped one God, but in different forms, directions and environment.
According to Jabbi , some worshipped in Mosques, others in Churches using diverse languages to praise God almighty.
This year’s theme is :” Actions for Peace, Our ambition for the Global Goals”
In the same vein, traditional ruler and advocate of peace and religious tolerance, noted and commended Kukah Center and Global Rights for their commitment to the marking of the yearly event.
” The two bodies are always active when it comes to peace and religious tolerance among diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria and other parts of the world”, he stressed.
Also, a consultant and participant Dr Mathew Ayuba in his contributions described religious tolerance as forbearance and the permission given by the adherents of a particular religion for other religions to exist.
He added” even though it looks inferior, mistaken, or harmful”.
He said in a nation such as Nigeria where virtually everyone claimed to be religious, either as a Christian, Muslim, or Traditional believer, the need for religious tolerance can never be overemphasized.
According to Ayuba,” man by nature seeks the path of religion to connect with his or her Creator – God with a view to find solution and guidance for all his quests and desires”
He said each of these religious persuasions with multiple paths in every human enclaves, have set of belief system that hinged on values and practices.
Hitherto, the Consultant further pointed out that “religious intolerance is linked directly to religious ignorance and to be ignorant, is to be empty of the knowledge of a said particular thing which in this matter – religion! It is rightly said that an empty vessel makes the loudest noise”.
He said over the years, religion has been weaponized to unsettle the polity and annihilate many lives, properties and in some instances whole communities wiped out completely as he recalled the negative consequences of Kafanchan , Zagon Kataf, Sharia crises as well Boko Haram and the most recently, banditry, kidnappings and the likes which memories still lingered through in the minds of many.
“This is not far fetched with the advent of rising self-acclaimed religious leaders setting up their private and personal religious emblems for the purpose self-gratification”, Ayuba mentioned as he added” The Christian faith places a great emphasis on the need for its followers in the pursuit of peace alongside holiness as vital prerequisites of seeing God.”
Driving its mission for peace, religious tolerance and justice around the world , the Kukah Center and Global Rights chose Gagi District for its diverse nature with ethnic groups practicing different forms of religions and living in peace and harmony.
Participants, mostly youths in their thirties with different beliefs drawn from communities in the District interacted to further promote and embrace living in peace and harmony.
They shared a number of crises experiences witnessed that also left some memories in their minds including the June 12th post election riots.
