From Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Archbishop of Jos Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Matthew Ishaya Audu, has distributed 107 bags of rice to Muslim communities/groups for the Eid-El Fitr celebration in Jos and environs.
Speaking during the presentation at the Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) center in Jos, Archbishop Audu said his gesture was to identify with Muslims communities and groups which have been supportive in his peace drive and have advanced peaceful coexistence in their various wards.
Represented by the DREP Director, Rev. Fr Blaise Agwom, Audu said even though the bags of rice was not as much as it should be, he is using the token to still felicitate with the Muslims as they celebrate Sallah, adding that his prayers is for a peaceful celebration throughout the state.
He called on the youths to eschew any form of violence or any act that will disrupt the planned and much expected peaceful celebration, saying that the Sallah period is a period of great reflection, religious/spiritual uprightness and prayers.
Responding on behalf of the Muslims, Alhaji Sani Mudi, appreciated the Archbishop for associating and always felicitating with Muslims since he came to the state, adding that the bags of rice are not ‘little token’ as the Archbishop is making them look because it will go a long way in putting smiles on people’s face during Sallah.
Mudi, who is also the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) Publicity Secretary in the state, explained that it is not the quantity of the rice donated that matters, but the intension, kind spirit and gesture behind the donation.
He further assured that the gesture would strengthen their hope in abiding collaboration between both religions, and that they will continue to work for peace in Plateau and indeed Nigeria at large.
He also thanked the DREP center for their continuous initiatives which has tremendously boosted peace in the state.
Mudi added that the Muslims are grateul to God for the condition under which they observed this year’s fasting and would be celebrating this year’s Sallah, unlike last year when the nation was under lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The beneficiaries of the bags of rice were Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Hausa Community, Miyetti Allah, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), JIBWIS, NASFAT, NACOMYO, Rahatul Islam, among others.
