The Interfaith Dialogue Forum (IDFP), has called for more interfaith dialogue to end the enormous challenges Nigeria is faced with.
The IDPFis a faith-based organisation, made up of Christian and Muslim religious leaders across Nigeria. It believes in the aspiration and the creation of mutual understanding between the adherence to Islam and Christianity.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Co-Chairman – Christian, of the IDFP and Governorship aspirant of Abia State under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bishop Sunday Onuoha, said that the forum spread in every part of the country and is intervening in several areas towards ensuring peace; as well as engaging INEC and aspirants for free, fair and credible elections come 2023.
The Co-chair who is also the President of Vision Africa (VA) said, “We are scattered all over the country and we are engaged in communities at all levels. It is not just an Abuja thing, we are in various states.
“Our business is to encourage the INEC at all levels to ensure that elections are conducted transparently and that men and women of character are given the opportunity to present themselves so that within and outside Nigeria, people will see that Nigeria has grown and that we are indeed the ‘Giant of Africa’.
“We ensure that every Nigerian including INEC plays the game by the rule. There are rules of engagement”.
He therefore stressed the need for fairness to encourage a sense of belonging among all Nigerians, stating that injustice gives room for chaos.
“There is always crisis when people violate the law, there is always problem when there is injustice. Let’s be fair to everybody to ensure that every part of this country feels a sense of belonging,” he stated.
Delivering a statement signed by the Co-Chairs, earlier, the Co-Chairman – Muslim of the IDFP, Alhaji Kunle Ishaq stressed the urgent need for all hands to be on deck through interfaith dialogue as a way forward to ensure that Nigeria is salvaged from the myriad of challenges occasioned by conflicts, insecurity, poverty and division.
He therefore called on Christians and Muslims to embrace the culture of interfaith engagements and continue to encourage acts of justice, tolerance and patience through active participation in interfaith activities in various communities to facilitate and sustain the culture of peace and harmony.
“Contrary to the wrong notion being held in some quarters, Interfaith dialogue does not aim at changing other people’s religions or faiths, rather, it seeks to find common ground between adherents of religions, by focusing on communities, and, through harmonious and peaceful interactions find solutions to many of our common problems. Interfaith dialogue has the potential to unlock the power of religious traditions and provide the inspiration, guidance and validation necessary for people to move towards non-violent means of conflict resolution.
“As a faith-based network, while we are working towards ensuring that peace prevails in Nigeria, we call on the citizens to ensure that they vote for aspirants on the basis of credibility and competence, so that we can change the tides of the ways politics have been played in the past, and to help produce leaders that are people-centered that will help to bring back the glory of the nation, he stated
Ishaq called on the youth to engage in politics peacefully adding that the IDFP encourages more religious teachings and belief that foster peace, coexistence, as well as values,
The statement added, “We would like to further advocate the culture of transparent and inclusive communication between people from different religions, beliefs and cultures to enhance social cohesion, while calling on the youth to engage in politics without violence. We are committed to ensuring that as a faith group working to foster peace, we encourage more religious teachings and beliefs as they affect the values, actions, and choices of citizens.
We understand the present situation, and with the regular reports of incidents of societal attacks on interfaith relations by some religious leaders/groups and institutions working hard to promote intolerance and divisions, we are devoted and more committed to building bridges of peace and friendship to replace walls of intolerance and fear.
“The challenges in Nigeria today are so enormous, but we are hopeful that with the pool of committed religious leaders/institutions, followers and other relevant stakeholders as well as government, we can make our country a better and safe space for all; irrespective of ethnic affiliations, and religious background. We have strong conviction that only a tolerant society based on the principles of interfaith harmony can ensure social inclusion that will provide all citizens equal opportunities to grow irrespective of their religion or faith.”
