Love your neighbour regardless of faith – Sheik Lemu

Sheikh Nuruddeen Lemu, Director of Research and Training at the Dawah Institute has stressed the importance of loving one’s neighbour, regardless of faith. Lemu spoke at the interreligious dialogue organised by the Mission and Dialogue Department of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) to mark the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate in Abuja on Thursday. The event, themed “60 Years of Nostra Aetate: A Journey of Discovery, Dialogue and Friendship,“ was co-hosted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Ufuk Dialogue (representing the Muslim community), and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). The gathering itself symbolised interfaith partnership. The event aims to usher in a new era of interfaith cooperation in Nigeria. “This new era is built not on suspicion and division, but on the recognition of shared humanity and God’s infinite mercy,” Sheik Lemu who is also the Assistant General Secretary of the Islamic Education Trust, Niger State said. Lemu recounted the story of the Good Samaritan and Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) teachings on the rights of neighbours. He emphasised that true honour to God comes from God-consciousness, not tribal or religious affiliation. Quoting the Quran (Chapter 5, Verse 48), Lemu reminded participants, “God could have made us all one community, but He chose to make us different.” He lauded Nostra Aetate as a groundbreaking and initially controversial document that endured due to the Catholic Church’s respect for authority and commitment to dialogue. “For the first time, Muslim scholars could read a Church document and say, ‘We agree with everything here.’ It was a breath of fresh air, not just for Christians but for all people of faith,” he said. Lemu highlighted how Nostra Aetate recognised Muslims as worshipping the one living God, revering Abraham, Mary, and Jesus (peace be upon them), and being committed to prayer, fasting, and charity. He called for mutual understanding, rejection of discrimination, and healing of past hostilities, principles essential for Nigeria’s future. Lemu urged for a Nigerian declaration akin to Nostra Aetate, one that publicly affirmed shared values of Muslims and Christians and served as a foundation for national unity. “Nigeria has the largest populations of Muslims and Christians in Africa. “We need a declaration that recognises our differences as God’s will and our shared values as the path forward,” he said. He urged participants to reject religious phobias and misdiagnoses that fueled conflict and to work together for justice, compassion, and the common good. The cleric called on faith leaders to move beyond religious exclusivism and embrace shared values at the heart of Islam and Christianity. He warned against the dangers of exclusivism, where some believe God is “our God and not the God of everybody,” reducing the infinite to human biases. “We bring God down to our own myopic views. God supports only our our group, our way,” he said. He stressed that true piety lied in humility and compassion, acknowledging that every faith had both exclusivists and inclusivists. Bishop Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, expressed gratitude for the interfaith gathering, emphasising regular engagement. Kaigama urged Nigerians to focus on what united rather than divided them, saying, “Who I see before me are brothers and sisters, no more, no less.” He highlighted the shared beliefs of Nigeria’s two major religions, Islam and Christianity, including belief in one God, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and reverence for Mary. Kaigama lamented that people often focused on differences rather than shared values, which only widened divides. He shared personal anecdotes illustrating the power of interfaith cooperation, such as a Muslim friend helping him repair his cassock before an important talk in Belgium. “Here is a Muslim stitching the cassock of an Archbishop, and we are moving together. What is that, if not dialogue of life?” he said. He also cited experiences from Senegal and the Gambia, where Muslim-majority nations warmly welcomed Christian delegations and observed Christian holidays publicly. “Religion should bind us together. It shouldn’t separate us. Religion should motivate us to bind to our neighbour and to God,” he said. Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, described Nostra Aetate as a bold invitation to see one another as fellow pilgrims in search of truth and peace. He shared stories of interfaith hospitality, including a Muslim shopkeeper in Istanbul who offered him kindness upon seeing his Roman collar. Banjo highlighted the enduring friendship of Mr Emrah Ilgen, President of Ufuk Dialogue, a devout Muslim who attended both Pope Francis’s funeral and Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration, exemplifying mutual respect. He acknowledged Nigeria’s rich religious diversity but warned it could become a threat if not managed with wisdom, respect, and justice. Banjo lamented ongoing violence and discrimination in the name of religion and called on leaders who remained silent to act. He urged attendees to be “the voice of the voiceless” and to work together for peace, justice, and human dignity. Banjo reminded all that Nostra Aetate’s closing message remained urgent: no one should be mistreated because of their race, culture, or religion. Nostra Aetate, also known as the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, was proclaimed by Pope Paul VI in Oct. 1965 to promote interfaith dialogue and peace-building within the Catholic Church.

Sallah: CAN chairman urges sacrifices for Nigeria’s security

Joseph Hayab, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Northern Chairman has urged political leaders to deepen sacrifices to ensure Nigeria’s security. Hayab who is the association’s lead in the 19 Northern States and the FCT has urged all Nigerians in positions of authority, particularly the political leadership, “to make a double sacrifice to secure Nigeria just as Muslims offer sacrifices in obedience to God during Sallah”. The CAN Chairman gave the advice in a Sallah message to the Muslim faithful as they join other parts of the world to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir. “This season, which honours Prophet Ibrahim’s total obedience and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of God, is a timely call for both leaders and citizens to demonstrate renewed faith, unity, and responsibility towards our nation. “In this spirit, Northern CAN encourages those in positions of authority, particularly the political leadership, to make a double sacrifice to secure Nigeria just as Muslims offer sacrifices in obedience to God during Sallah,” he said. The further advised the political elite to act in consonance with their constitutional obligation and moral responsibility in the interest of every Nigerian. “Our leaders must likewise act in obedience to their constitutional duty and moral responsibility to protect the lives and dignity of every Nigerian. “The country is groaning under the weight of insecurity, economic distress, and social disillusionment. “Nigerians are living in fear, and this climate of uncertainty is what gives room for enemies of peace to perpetrate evil without restraint. “It is no longer enough to issue statements or make promises. “The government must urgently remedy the conditions that have cast doubt on its commitment to the people. “Let the leadership act decisively so that Nigerians will no longer have reasons to question or complain,” Hayab added. According to him, the time has come for the Federal Government to take steps aimed at restoring public confidence and healing “our national wounds”. “CAN calls on Nigerians to use this solemn period to pray for the peace and unity of the country, while also reaching out to the less privileged in the true spirit of Eid. “We urge all religious and community leaders to continue fostering peaceful coexistence and to avoid making statements or taking actions capable of deepening our division. The CAN chairman expressed warm greetings and heartfelt felicitations to the Muslim Ummah on the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, as well as a joyful and spiritually rewarding Eid-el-Kabir. 

Christian Association of Nigeria Condemns Gwoza Suicide Attacks

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed profound concern over the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 30 lives and left numerous others injured. The attacks, reportedly carried out by suspected female suicide bombers, targeted a wedding ceremony, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, a town near the border with Cameroon. In response to these devastating incidents, CAN’s President, Daniel Okoh, issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the resurgence of suicide bombings in Nigeria. “The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria is deeply worried by the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State, which have claimed numerous lives and injured many others,” Okoh stated. “We are concerned about the resurgence of suicide bombing in our country and the threat it poses to the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians. This senseless act of violence is a stark reminder of the evil that terrorism represents, and the need for collective action to defeat it.” Okoh commended the efforts of security agents who have been tirelessly working to contain the threat of terrorism. He urged them not to relent in their efforts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining vigilance to prevent further tragedies. “We commend the security agents who have been working tirelessly to contain the threat of terrorism in our country,” Okoh affirmed. “We encourage them not to relent in their efforts, as every necessary intervention is welcome to prevent a relapse into the dark days of suicide attacks.” CAN called upon the government to intensify its efforts to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions. The association also urged religious leaders and all Nigerians to unite against terrorism and violence, promoting peace, love, and harmony across the nation. “We call on the government to intensify efforts to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions,” the statement added. “We also urge religious leaders and Nigerians to unite against terrorism and violence, promoting peace, love, and harmony.” The attacks in Gwoza serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to protect communities and prevent further loss of life.

FIRS Issues Apology to CAN and Christians Over Controversial Easter Message

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has extended an apology to Christians, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), following the dissemination of a controversial Easter message that sparked widespread condemnation. The contentious message, depicted in a flier featuring a Point of Sale (PoS) machine with the caption, “Jesus paid your debt, not your taxes,” elicited significant backlash from members of the Christian community. In response to the outcry, the FIRS issued a statement late on Tuesday, expressing regret for the misinterpretation of its message. The agency emphasized that the dissemination of the flier was not intended to denigrate Jesus Christ or undermine his significant sacrifice for humanity. “The unintended meaning/insinuation being read into the post was not what we were out to communicate as an agency,” the statement clarified. Furthermore, the FIRS reiterated its commitment to impartiality and respect for all religious beliefs, affirming that its primary objective is the assessment, collection, and proper accounting of revenue for the nation’s welfare. “We believe it is an investment in the progress of the country when citizens pay their taxes,” the agency stated. The FIRS concluded its apology by expressing remorse to CAN and all Christians who were offended by the unintended implications of its Easter message. This conciliatory gesture from the FIRS aims to address the concerns raised by the Christian community and foster harmony and understanding between the agency and religious groups in the country.