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Muslims Extend Christmas Greetings, Promoting Peace and Unity during Yuletide Celebrations
In line with the Federal Government’s declaration of Monday, December 25, and Tuesday, December 26, 2023, as public holidays for Christmas celebrations and Monday, January 1, 2024, for New Year’s Day,
Muslims and prominent Islamic scholars from the northern part of Nigeria have begun conveying congratulations and goodwill messages to Christian leaders across the region amidst the challenges of a high cost of living.
They extended their felicitations to Christians in the region and the entire country, aiming to strengthen peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance, fostering better understanding between Muslims and Christians.
During a visit to Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru at his church in gwagwi villa Kaduna, Mallam Gambo Abdullahi Barnawa expressed their congratulations on his birthday, which falls on December 23.
He also conveyed warm wishes to Christians for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance, saying, “May this holiday season bring you joy, love, and moments of reflection.”
Mallam Gambo encouraged Christians to view the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ beyond the festival, urging them to spread the message of peace, love, tolerance, and harmony to all Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
He emphasized that Christmas is a period for reflecting on the essence of Christianity and the teachings of Christ.
He further charged Christians to embrace the Christ-like way of life, embodying affection, good neighborliness, truthfulness, goodness, kindness, devotion, good conduct, and other virtues that promote peace. Mallam Gambo admonished both faiths to cohabit by embracing the biblical exhortation, “You should be your brother’s keeper,” and the Prophetic (Islamic) saying, “You are not yet a Muslim until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.”
He called on Christians to sustain their supplications and prayers for the country to overcome its multiple challenges, emphasizing that during Maulud celebrations, when the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW) is commemorated, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru and other Christian leaders from northern Nigeria consistently visit Muslim scholars, fostering unity during the season.
|Muslims Extend Warm Wishes to Christians, Advocating Peace and Unity Amidst Christmas Celebrations”
Similarly, Alaramma Ibrahim Musa Hayin Kogi, from Igabi Local Government, Kaduna, who is also an Islamic scholar, extended felicitations to Christians worldwide on these occasions. Despite the current challenges of financial scarcity, high costs of foodstuffs, and insecurity affecting the entire north, he appealed to marketers not to exploit the season by doubling the prices of goods and services in the markets.
Alaramma Ibrahim called on Christian leaders to use the yuletide season to pray extensively for peace and unity in the country, urging wealthy individuals to assist the poor and orphans during such occasions.
In response, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru thanked the visitors and appreciated their wishes as they celebrate Christmas.
He emphasized the shared responsibility in a world marked by diverse beliefs and traditions to foster understanding, promote harmony, and work towards peace.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru expressed commitment to advancing the cause of peace through promoting dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among people of different faiths and backgrounds.
He concluded by thanking all who have sent him texts and calls, wishing him a Merry Christmas in advance
