Hundreds of Muslims from across Northern Nigeria on Thursday joined Christians at the Christmas service of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna, in a display of interfaith unity aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.

The General Overseer of the church, Pastor Yohanna Buru, said the participation of Muslims in the annual Christmas celebration had become a long-standing tradition, drawing attendees from all the 19 northern states.

Mr Buru said Muslims from different Islamic sects, including Tijjaniyya, Shi’ite groups under the Islamic Movement and Sunni Muslims, attended the service to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and promote peace, unity and mutual understanding.

“This is the 15th time Muslims and Christians are gathering for this historic annual event to strengthen our relationship and foster unity,” he said.

Mr Buru added that Muslim delegations also presented gifts to the church as symbols of love, friendship and unity between the two faiths.

According to him, the celebration came at a time of economic hardship, insecurity, rising food prices, poverty and unemployment, stressing that interfaith cooperation and prayers were critical to national stability.

Mr Buru said that hundreds of Muslims had consistently attended the church’s Christmas services over the years, reflecting the growing strength of interreligious ties in Northern Nigeria.

He called on religious leaders to intensify prayers for peace and urged Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in addressing security challenges.

“We are all children of Adam and Eve. We worship one God, have holy books, and believe in paradise and hell. These shared values should unite us,” he said.

Speaking at the event, an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Salihu Mai-Barota, said Muslims attended the service to celebrate with Christians, promote peace and encourage religious tolerance.

He urged both faiths to continue praying for peace and advised youths to shun religious violence and avoid spreading fake news on social media.

Also speaking, Imam Ibrahim Musa from Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State congratulated Christians on the Christmas celebration and called on youths to support government efforts toward peace and unity.

He said Muslims and Christians regularly visited one another during religious celebrations, including the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), to foster mutual respect and understanding.

Mr Musa described the annual Christmas service at the church as a strong symbol of interfaith harmony in Nigeria.

The cleric also disclosed that Mr Buru was a recipient of the 2022 United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week Award, presented by King Abdullah II of Jordan, in recognition of his commitment to peacebuilding.

Other speakers, including Sheikh Ahmed Rufai and Lawal Maduru, called for continuous prayers for peace, responsible use of social media and warned youths against drug abuse.

(NAN)