By Stella Odueme
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has congratulated the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on its 50th anniversary, describing the milestone as significant to both the Christian community and the Nigerian nation.
The Council also called for sustained interfaith dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation between Muslims and Christians to promote peace, justice, security and national development.
The NSCIA made this known in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Wednesday.
The statement said the Council, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, felicitated CAN’s leadership and the entire Christian community in Nigeria on the golden jubilee.
According to the Council, Nigeria has experienced various challenges over the past five decades, during which religious leaders and institutions have continued to play important roles in promoting peace, dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among the country’s diverse religious communities.
The NSCIA noted that Muslims and Christians constitute the overwhelming majority of Nigeria’s population and share a common responsibility to promote peace, strengthen justice, advance security and contribute to responsible citizenship and national development.
It stressed that the challenges confronting the country, particularly injustice, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, social inequality and the need for accountable and responsive governance, required the collective efforts of all Nigerians.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to sustained interfaith dialogue and cooperation, while acknowledging the importance of platforms that facilitate constructive engagement between religious leaders on issues affecting Nigeria’s peace, unity and development.
It specifically commended the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) for providing a platform for engagement between leaders of the two faith communities.
The statement described CAN’s 50th anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility of religious leadership in strengthening national unity and peaceful coexistence.
It added that religious differences should not be allowed to become sources of division, hatred or violence, but should instead inspire justice, compassion, peaceful coexistence and service to humanity.
The NSCIA congratulated CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh; members of its National Executive Committee; Christian denominations and associations under its umbrella; and Christians across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Council wished the association greater wisdom in the discharge of its national and religious responsibilities.
