Hundreds of Muslims from across northern Nigeria on Thursday joined Christians at the Christmas service of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna.
Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of the church, said Muslim participation in the annual Christmas celebration has become a long-standing tradition.
Buru said the event attracts participants from all the 19 northern states, including Muslims from different Islamic sects, including Tijjaniyya, Shi’ite groups under the Islamic Movement and Sunni Muslims.
The cleric said the gathering was aimed at celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and promoting peace, unity and mutual understanding.
“This is the 15th time Muslims and Christians are gathering for this historic annual event to strengthen our relationship and foster unity,” he said.
Buru said Muslim delegations also presented gifts to the church as symbols of love, friendship and unity between the two faiths.
He said the celebration came amid economic hardship, insecurity, rising food prices, poverty and unemployment, adding that interfaith cooperation and prayers are critical to national stability.
He said hundreds of Muslims have consistently attended the church’s Christmas services over the years, even as he urged religious leaders to intensify prayers for peace.
“We are all children of Adam and Eve. We worship one God, have holy books, and believe in paradise and hell. These shared values should unite us,” he said.
Salihu Mai-Barota, an Islamic scholar, said Muslims attended the service to celebrate with Christians and promote religious tolerance.
He urged both faiths to continue praying for peace, adding that youths to shun religious violence and avoid spreading fake news on social media.
Ibrahim Musa, an Imam from Igabi local government area of Kaduna state, congratulated Christians on the Christmas celebration.
Musa urged youths to support government efforts aimed at peace and unity, noting that Muslims and Christians regularly visit one another during religious celebrations.