Gidan Mai kanbu held her first inter-faith service between Christians and Muslims of Kafur and Bakori Local Governments. The Chairman of all Imams in Katsina State who is from Bakori Local Government preached from the Muslim Faith while Rev Fr Patrick Etuk MSP preached from the Christian Faith. Both homilies were simply edifying.
Most Rev Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto who was represented at the event, in his address commended the community on the initiative of interfaith prayer meeting.
Below is the Address of His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Mathew Kukah to Gidan Mai Kanbu Inter-faith service:
Greetings and warm regards of the blessed season of Christmas to all of you, my fellow brothers and sisters! Times are hard in Nigeria and it seems any opportunity for us to get together should be very much encouraged. This is why I am so glad about this great and historic initiative undertaken by Fr Stephen Ojapa, the Parish Priest and the Waziri of Gidan Maikambu.
The country has been going through hard times and sadly, most of these problems are attributed to a failure in the relationship between Christians and Muslims. Gradually we want to look forward to a Nigeria where Muslims and Christians will not be afraid of each other nor their faith.
When we consider the fact that over 90% of Nigerians are either Christians or Muslims, it is difficult to understand why our religions have become a source of so much tension and violence. One problem is that both religious leaders and ordinary people have allowed politicians to use them as football for their politics. It is a pity that we religious leaders and ordinary people do not address the issue of how our resources are used or not used for our welfare despite all the resources that we have.
Northerners have been in power for almost forty years and we all know. But despite all this, the north is still the poorest part of Nigeria in every area of human life, education, health, social welfare and services, and so on. It is our duty to stand up and speak out for the sake of our children and our future in the north. We cannot continue like this. We have to stand together and speak for justice, justice for all of us whether we are Christians or Muslims, male or female, young or old. We have to speak out for opportunities for our children in the area of admissions to higher institutions, job opportunities and so on.
This is why I commend you all for coming together for this first meeting. I am very happy and so sorry that I cannot be with you physically. I am glad that this is happening in Kafur Local Government Area where we have experienced peace and co-operation. I have been here for pastoral visit and nowhere have I had the experience of warm welcome like I have had here in Kafur Local Government Area.
Three months ago I was in Rome with some Nigerian Bishops together with the Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido for the world day of prayer for peace with our dear Pope Francis in attendance, at the end of the ceremony the declaration for peace which was signed by all the representatives of the world’s religion was handed over to the children of the world. Consequently the spirit of this interfaith service should resound in the heart of our youth and the children of our generation. Let my message of peace resound in all the Mosques and Churches of Kafur local government.
Therefore, on behalf of the faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto I would like to thank and appreciate the presence of the Chairman of Kafur Local Government, Alhaji Hamza Umar whom I learnt is personally here. Good politicians are a necessary ingredient to a peaceful community. We want to interact with them and know their problems so they too can know our own problems. I would like to thank and appreciate the Hakimin Kafur, Alhaji Rabe Abdullahi Dangaladiman Katsina. Finally, please, I appeal to you, join politics if you can and do not discourage your children otherwise, we will be left behind. Be law abiding and keep the peace. May God bless you and I hope we shall do this again and again. May what has happened today be the beginning of more good things to come like this.
Finally to all the people of Gidan mai Kambu and their Pastors Frs Stephen Ojapah and Walter Ezenwosu, well done. May the peace of Christmas be with you all.
