THE Federal Government has been called upon to collaborate with the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to end the lingering religious and ethnic crises and pave way for permanent peace among the different religions in the country.

This was made known by the head of Arabic Department of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, who was also the guest speaker at the opening ceremony of the 25th National Qur’anic recitation competition in Dutse, Jigawa State capital, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.

The guest speaker also advised the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to introduce and organise national Bible recitation competition, saying the two competitions should be rotated among the states of the federation in the spirit of the national unity.

According to him, the Muslim governors should join hands with their Christian counterparts to host such competitions in their states, which should be aimed at re-uniting the country by discouraging religious differences threatening national peace and unity.

Also speaking, a renowned Muslim cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, charged Muslims and Christians to live in peace with one another if they were true believers of their religions that preached peace and mercy.
Sheikh Bauchi expressed dismay with the bloodshed happening in some parts of the country in the name of religion.

According to him “Muslims love Jesus as they love Muhammad (SAW), to the extent when they gate a childe they are naming him after Jesus (AS), also Christian love Jesus, so if both Muslims and Christian shared a common believe or love what brought about fighting or killing one another” he added that “Islam preaches peace while Christianity preaches mercy, so I challenge Muslims and Christians to abide by the teachings of their religions, and also not continue allowing some wicked people twisting them to create conflict for achieving their selfish political interest”.

Similarly speaking at the occasion the former Nigerian permanent representative at United Nation Alhaji Yusif Maitam Sule (Danmasanin Kano) calls on Muslim and Christian to be tolerant and respect each others believes.

He said, a true Muslim must believe in the original teaching of Christianity, Judaism and all religions preached by all prophets of Allah without any segregation, therefore he urge muslim to uphold Quran as their guidance on how to leave in peace with one another in respect of their tribal or religious differences.

Alhaji Maitama Sule also, admonished leaders to lead with justice and fairness saying that, it is only justice and fairness that sustained government and power”.

“Power can be sustained in the hands of infidel or pagan provides he is leading with justice and fairness, but no matter deep you are in the faith, if you are not just, leadership can not be sustained in your hand”.

“Justice and fairness is the only weapons that leader can use to conquer the spirit of his subjects, but intimidation, suppression can never excel in wining the mind of followers no matter, so I call on Nigerian leaders to lead people with justice and bring out policies and programs that will bailout the people of the country from the bondage of object poverty” Danmasani has said.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/17565-ethno-religious-crises-fg-urged-to-collaborate-with-nirec