August 5th, 2012
The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama yesterday made a case for unity and peace among Christians and Muslims during a visit to the Jos Central Mosque.
“I came to the Central Mosque first of all to dispel the notion that Muslims and Christians in Plateau State cannot meet,” he said during a meeting with the Chief Imam, Sheikh Balarabe Dawud.
“We are here to show that you are our brothers and sisters. Sometimes we have problems and tension but it is not by being afraid of each other that the problems will be solved.”
He emphasized that there is need for well-meaning Christians and Muslims to interact and neutralise the machinations of people who stir up trouble for no public good.
He added: “We will continue to preach that the only way to harmony is in our coming together. We have our differences in the way we worship but it is not enough for the violence that we witness. We have the same God and we should all behave as children of God.”
In his response, Sheikh Balarabe Dawud thanked the archbishop for his solidarity visit and assured him that he too appreciates the need for harmony among Muslims and Christians.
He thanked the Catholic cleric for identifying with Muslims each time they have any difficulty, making particular mention of the archbishop’s decision to present relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster in Rikkos, Jos North Local Government Area penultimate Sunday in which over 30 people died and many houses washed away.
Archbishop Kaigama later visited the camps of the people displaced by the flood and donated relief materials.
Link: http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/other-sections/lead-stories/173520-jos-arch-bishop-visits-mosque-urges-muslim-christian-unity#
