Eid-el-Kabir: Interfaith moment in Kaduna as clerics call for unity

The Eid praying ground at Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna State witnessed a notable interfaith moment on Wednesday as Christian clerics joined thousands of Muslim faithful to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir and advocate peaceful coexistence.

The Christian delegation, led by the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Yohanna Buru, attended the prayer session as part of efforts to strengthen interreligious relations and promote unity across faiths.

Speaking after the prayers, Buru said the visit was aimed at deepening peacebuilding initiatives, adding that religious tolerance and mutual respect remain essential for national development. He noted that his team had consistently participated in Eid celebrations in Kaduna for five years as a symbolic gesture of harmony.

He said Nigerians, regardless of religious or ethnic background, must continue to embrace unity, stressing that cooperation among citizens is key to addressing national challenges.

Another member of the delegation, Pastor Rawland Sanda from Southern Kaduna, said the visit was intended to reinforce dialogue and understanding between Christian and Muslim communities, describing such engagements as vital for long-term peace.

Responding, the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Sheikh Habib Umar Mahmood, commended the Christian leaders for their consistent participation in Eid celebrations, describing it as a strong example of interfaith friendship.

A member of the Eid Praying Grounds Committee, Mallam Sunusi Surajo, also praised Kaduna State for fostering religious tolerance and urged recognition for Pastor Buru’s peacebuilding efforts.

The event was widely seen as a symbolic demonstration of religious cooperation in a region that has experienced recurring tensions, with both Christian and Muslim leaders calling for continued dialogue and unity.