An interfaith forum of Muslim and Christian women’s associations has recommended dialogue, interfaith interactions and reconciliation for ensuring peaceful societies in Kaduna State.

The association, also known as the Women’s Interfaith Council, is an association and network of women peacemakers in Kaduna state and Nigeria.

The association, in a communiqué to journalists on Saturday in Kaduna, made the recommendations after a state-level round table discussion with stakeholders on ways to ensure unending peace and tranquillity in the state.

The theme of the meeting was: “If you want peace, work for justice, promote human rights, mutual respect, and freedom of religion or belief.”

Signatories to the communiqué were; Rev. Sr. Veronica Onyeanisi, WIC Executive Director, Sarki Ahmed Mohammed, the Village Head of Kurmi Mashi, Khadijah Hawaja-Gambo, the Permanent Commissioner Kaduna State Peace Commission and Aboi Joy-Zugwai, a student of the Federal Government College, Kaduna.
Others were Maryam Saleh, Women Leader Kurmi Mashi Kaduna, Dr. Mohammed Saeed of
Federal University Gashua Yobe State, Barr. Hajara Jibrin, Director Ministry of Justice Kaduna State and Roseline Reni, Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Actions actor at Hayin Banki, Kaduna.

Other signatories were Elizabeth Abuk, WIC General Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Bulus Karis, a religious leader, Ikhianasimhe Nwaogo-Augusta, Admin DAAR, Taobat Faro, WIC Public Relation Officer and Dr Solomon Oduma-Aboh, Head of Department
Christian Religious Studies, Kaduna State University. 

Also, Philip Omachi, a radio programme presenter, Ayiku Thomas a Director at Kaduna State Ministry for Justice, and Galadima, a youth leader and JISRA religious actor at Hayij Banki, Kaduna, signed the communiqué.

The communiqué explained the imperative of inclusive and constructive dialogues among community-level stakeholders led by traditional and religious leaders, women, and youth groups to bring faiths and ethnic groups together in meaningful discussions to address grievances and find common ground.

According to the communiqué, it paves the way for proper understanding and mutual articulation of differences and respect, sincere reconciliations and the healing of deep-seated wounds in communities across the state.

Based on that, it also recommended the replication of diverse strategies like interfaith unity parades and collective farming activities as successful relevant dialogue tools for faith and ethnic unity as shared by JISRA actors in Kurmin Mashi community.

It also recommended the inclusion of women in the decision-making process of peace, inter-religious peer review, religious literacy, peace, security and youth entrepreneurship, and the right to education for everyone which should be geared towards national integration and respect for freedom of religion and belief.

The communiqué also recommended proper children’s upbringing, human rights awareness and prosecution of offenders.

It called on youths and religious and political leaders to use social media to promote peace and not selfish interests, while urging the government at all levels to focus more on socio-economic development that would improve people’s lives.

It therefore said that education, health care, security of lives and property, infrastructural development, and economic opportunities were critically needed at the current situation of the state and the nation in general.

“It is critical to remember that, while we have made considerable progress, the path to long-term peace is never-ending. To guarantee that the accomplishments we have gained are retained and developed upon, we must remain committed to the concepts of dialogue, tolerance, and partnerships,” the communiqué added.

The round table discussion had in attendance students from Ansarrudeen College, Rimi College, Our Lady of Fatima, Government Girls’ Secondary School Kabala Costain, Tarbiyya Secondary School, Government Girls Secondary School Doka, and KASU.

Others were from the police, academia, religious and traditional institutions under the auspices of JISRA and other civil society actors.

The stakeholders made presentations on their
contributions to peace and its associated challenges, especially in preventing and resolving conflicts, promoting freedom of religion and peace, combating violent extremism, and building post-conflict peace and stability.