- The Islamic group popularly known as Shiites visited churches on Monday, December 25
- The purpose of their visits was to celebrate Christmas with Christians
- The group used the occasion to advocate for understanding and religious tolerance
Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites group on Monday, December 25, visited some churches in Kaduna to celebrate Christmas with Christians.
The Islamic movement used the occasion to advocate for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians, Leadership reports.
NAIJ.com gathered that the Shiites group visited the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Marafa Estates and Christ Evangelical and life Intercessory Ministry, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.
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At the church, the group addressed the church members saying Islam is a religion of peace and living in peace with one’s neighbours is one of the directives of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Dr Shuaibu Musa, the leader of the team that visited the church, said: “We are here to merry with our Christian brothers on the birth of he whose return has been foretold by our Prophet to herald the appearance of the awaited one Imam Mahdi.
“I will protect their religion and their Churches wherever they are found. We therefore hold these covenant that is why our leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky showed us that Christians are not our enemy but our brothers and neighbours.
“Together we can champion unity among all religious people and take unified stance against aggressive leaders. The Church should join the struggle against oppressors and tyrants right away.”
In his remarks, ECWA pastor, Rev. Sule Mashan, said all human beings are created by God and in his wisdom make some Christians and others Muslims.
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He therefore called for understanding among the two religions' followers.
After leaving ECWA, the Shiites group further proceeded to Christ Evangelical and life Intercessory Ministry, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna in Chikun local government area where they continued the Christmas celebration
They were later joined by other Muslims from Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, the general overseer of the ministry, thanked the Muslim group for turning up at the church to celebrate Christmas with them.
He noted that the numbers of Muslims attending Christmas services with the church is increasing year by year as a result of better understanding and religious tolerance.
“We must remember that we are from one family, because Adams and Eve were our father, we all have our holy scriptures “Bible and Qur’an “and we also believed in paradise and hell fire ,therefore, we must be our brothers keepers, to live in peace and harmony,” he said.
Sheikh Halliru Marayu, speaking on behalf of the Muslim group, said Nigerians must unite the country
He emphasised the need for forgiveness among one another.
Marayu urged Christians to use the lesson learnt from Jesus Christ to live in peace and harmony with every human kind.
He added: “Any Muslim that doesn’t believe in jesus Christ is not a complete muslim, while calling on government at all levels to immensely allow Nigerians to practice their religious freedom like every other citizens."
NAIJ.com previously reported that former president Goodluck Jonathan felicitated with Nigerians as they mark the 2017 Christmas celebrations.
In a message posted on his Facebook page on Monday, December 25, the former president called on Nigerians to come together as one to do good to each other and the nation.
He said the challenges Nigerians are going through at the moment will pass.
Nigerians ask President Buhari for special Christmas Gifts - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
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