Ramadan: Christians, Muslims, Hindus share IFTAR meal, pray against banditry, kidnapping
In the spirit of oneness and togetherness, Christians and Hindus brought food for Muslims to break their fast usually called Iftar in Jos the Plateau State Capital.
They also urged the Muslim Ummah to pray for the country, especially, against the current security challenges of banditry, kidnapping, and economic hardship being experienced in the nation.
The IFTAR meals were to 600 Muslims in the Jos Central Mosque (400plates), and Jos Fibre Mosque (200plates), by a Catholic Priest, Baptist Reverend and ISKCON Hindu Priest.
Rev. John Hayab, who is the Country Director, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria in collaboration with partners Church and Society Kaduna and International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON Jos) said, “The essence of this visit is to identify with our Muslim brothers and sisters in this season of Ramadan and to remind humanity that we are one, members of one family under God.
“Unless and until we recognise our common humanity, respect one another, support and stand with one another; showing love to one another, the enemy will always come and create chaos amongst us.
“Instead, we should be seen supporting people in need; standing for those who are in trouble, because that is why God created us together.
“If we do all those things we mentioned, we are obeying our scriptures, whether you are a Christian, Muslim or a Hindu; we are showing that we understand what the scripture is teaching.
“You cannot claim to love God or preach about him, and every day you are thinking bad of the other person; if you do that, I’m not sure you understand what God is saying”, he stressed.
In his remarks, His Grace Salika Dasa, Hare Krishna Movement Temple (ISKCON Jos), said, “In our scripture, God said all of his creation are parts and parcel of him, saying he is eternal so also his creation, irrespective of whatever creed, colour or body they carry.
“According to our Hindu scripture, everyone before we became Christian, Muslim or Hindu are first and foremost parts and parcel of God; and that is what makes us human.
“Giving food is part of our religious duty but the most important thing is to understand that we are all brothers and sisters, we are all children of one father.
“Therefore, in the spirit of brotherliness we have come to identify with you as you are having this period of fasting and prayers; we are together with you as one humanity, in the spirit of oneness”, he explained.
“We pray that after this visit, our relationship will not end here; but will extend to our neighbours and beyond; so that we can have that peace that we desire in all aspects of human life”, Dasa admonished.
Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Onuh Sixtus of the Church and Society Secretariat, Kaduna, urged all and sundry to pray for the country, especially for the challenges of banditry and kidnapping bedevilling the nation.
“We don’t have peace in the country, especially in the north, which is bedevilled by activities of bandits, terrorists, kidnappers among others”, he decried.
Responding on behalf of the Muslim Ummah, a Director from JNI, Jos, Danjuma Khalid, thanked the group for the show of love.
He urged all to pray for the country, especially, over the current security challenges and economic hardship.
“As Muslims, we are delighted to have you in our midst, and also thank you for your kind gesture of bringing food, and most importantly remembering us in this Ramadan season, may God reward your good deeds”, he maintained.
