An Interfaith forum comprising of Christians (Catholic priest and Baptist reverend) and Iskcon Hindu priest, along with their Muslim counterparts have on Wednesday evening broken fast (itar) together to express their oneness and solidarity with the Muslim faithful.
A consortium of the Interfaith which includes Church and Society Kaduna, International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON JOS), Global Peace Foundation and CASS Educational Foundation, also distributed food to 600 Muslim faithful.
No fewer than 400 persons at the Jos Central Mosque got food, while 200 at Fiber Mosque in Jos were equally reached with the food for the breaking of their fast.
Speaking at the event, the Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Rev. John Hayab, called on the Muslim Ummah to pray for the country, especially against the current security challenges and economic hardship being experienced in the country.
He said the outreach was in the spirit of oneness and togetherness and that the visit was to identify with the Muslim brothers and sisters in this season of Ramadan to stimulate the consciousness that they are one family before God and that humanity is central in this life.
“Unless and until we recognise our common humanity, respect one another, support and stand with one another, as well as show love to one another, the enemy will always come and create chaos amongst us.
“So, we should be seen supporting one another, people in need and standing for those who are in trouble, because that is why God created us together”, he said.
On his part, His Grace Salika Dasa, Hare Krishna Movement Temple (ISKCON Jos), said in his religion (Hindu), their scripture said all of God’s creation are parts and parcel of Him, irrespective of whatever creed, colour or body they carry.
“Giving food is part of our religious duty but the most important thing is to understand that we are all brothers and sisters, we are all children of one father.
“Therefore, in the spirit of brotherliness, we have come to identify with you as you are having this period of fasting and prayers; we are together with you as one humanity, in the spirit of oneness” he said.
Rev. Fr. Onuh Sixtus of the Church and Society Secretariat Kaduna, said, Christians and Muslims need to pray earnestly for peace and tranquillity in the country.
Responding on behalf of the Muslim Ummah, a Director from Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Jos, the umbrella group for the Nigerian Muslim community, Danjuma Khalid, said their kind gesture of bringing food to the people is well cherished, and prayed that God should reward their good deeds abundantly.