*Jamiyar Matan Arewa President Laments Polarisation of Kaduna City
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The need for peaceful coexistence was once again emphasized by various stakeholders brought together by Rotary International and Interfaith Mediation Centre in Kaduna.
The event tagged, “Conflict Prevention Dialogue for Peaceful Coexistence in Kaduna State” which attracted several stakeholders, was held at the BBS Diamond Suites, powered by Rotary International in collaboration with Interfaith Mediation and Inter Religious Dialogue Commission.
Coordinator Inter-religious Dialogue Commission, Christian Adamu John Ugboha, in his submission, said that parents should teach their children to be good to all, by loving not just those from their faith, but other faith as well.
He said that Nigerians, especially those in Kaduna have embraced peace and the two main religions are now their brother’s keepers
“In Kaduna North, there is a joint committee of Muslims and Christians that ensure the protection of worship centres of the two major religions,” he said.
In her remarks, the President Rotary Club of Kaduna Queens who doubles as the President Jamiyar Matan Arewa (JMA), Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa said that her religion is in her heart and she was elected in 2019 into JMA, with 11 executives, out of which six were Christians.
“To me I don’t see anybody as a Muslim or Christian, I see you for what you can do and who you are,” she said.
She decried the polarisation of Kaduna metropolis, where the River Kaduna bridge separates adherents of the two major faith on opposite sides
“The other side of the bridge it is mostly Muslims and Hausas, while across the bridge, it is Christians and other tribes.
“This division that is taking us back a hundred years must stop. Let’s look at people for who they are.
“In Kadunà State, the interfaith are doing very well, they are bringing us together. My brothers and sisters, Muslims and Christians from all over, we have to go back and train our children, rethink our values and I pray it will start from all of us here.
Coordinator Interfaith Mediation Centre Kaduna, Reverend James Wuye who contributed through zoom from Abuja, said that if you take 40 houses to your cardinal point and the next person takes 40 houses to his cardinal point, then the whole world will be connected and peace would be embraced by all.
The event was rounded up with the breaking of fast by all present.
The dialogue was organised by the Rotary International Club of Kakuri Kaduna, District 9125, Nigeria under the leadership of its president, Rotarian Yakubu Abubakar.
