Anti-corruption crusader and Chairman of Dialogue Group Limited, Alhaji Mahdi Shehu has called for religious tolerance in order to achieve stability in Kaduna State.
Shehu made the call when he visited the General Overseer of Life Intervention Ministry in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State, Pastor Yohanna Buru on Sunday ahead of the World Interfaith Week which will begin on Feb. 1.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2010 by King Abdullah II of Jordan.
He urged Muslims and Christians to always live in peace and harmony with one another to promote national unity and respect among the people.
Earlier, Buru said, appreciated the visit by Shehu, saying:”it will promote mutual understanding to promote peaceful coexistence between Muslim and Christian faithfuls in northern Nigeria.
”Such a visit will strengthen religious harmony in Kaduna and indeed neighbouring states.
” We are forever grateful for the wonderful visit and may God bless you abundantly sir. May God continue to bless you both physically and spiritually in Jesus name,” he prayed.
NAN reports that on Oct. 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of the Common Word Initiative.
The This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets.
The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbour’.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform—one week in a year—when all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what a powerful movement they are.
The UN said it hopes that hoped that this initiative will provide a focal point from which all people of goodwill can recognise that the common values they hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their communities. (NAN)
