Interfaith Unity: Gombe Mosque Hosts Christian Neighbours To Ramadan Iftar

By Najib Sani, Gombe 

In a move to strengthen religious harmony, the Al-Ahfad mosque in Nassarawo area of Gombe State capital on Tuesday hosted Christian and Muslim clerics to have a Ramadan dinner otherwise known as 'Iftar' together.

Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr Umar Dokaji, said the gathering came at a time when both Muslim and Christians are on fasting period.

According to him, the concurrent rites would help unite the religious faithfuls adding that the iftar was meant to foster the virtue of peace "especially at this time when Nigeria is facing numerous challenges related to religious and ethnic intolerance".

"This is coming as religious persecution allegations and religious and tribal and terrorist crises rock parts of the country.

"So I believe that this type of gatherings will help unite the two major religious faithfuls and will go along way in preventing deadly religious crisis in the largest's black nation on earth", he stated.

While praying for the nation, the imam stressed the need to support vulnerable groups, opining that justice is the only solution to Nigeria's lingering crisis.

The invited Christian clergymen expressed happiness and commended the mosque for the gesture saying it was a sign for mutual understanding and religious tolerance in Gombe.

Reverend Abare Kalla who spoke on behalf of the Christian invitees posited that the gathering would unite Muslims and Christian residing in the area.

"I recall how at some point Christians and Muslims communities in Nasarawo resolved misunderstanding over worship place and resolved it quietly, a development I will continue to be proud of till eternity", he said.