By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
In a remarkable display of interfaith solidarity, the Church of Christ Evangelical and Life Intercessory Ministry in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State, distributed essential food items to hundreds of underprivileged Muslims and Islamic Tsangaya schools on Sunday. The distribution event, held at the Kano Road Central Mosque in Kaduna, included bags of millets and plastic kettles, benefiting Almajiri and beggars associated with the Association of Persons with Disabilities, as well as some Tsangaya Islamic schools.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, the General Overseer of the church, spoke to the press, expressing the church's commitment to reaching over 1000 underprivileged Muslims across the North. This initiative aims to alleviate the impact of economic challenges following the removal of fuel subsidies and the high cost of living, leading to nationwide hunger protests.
During the press briefing, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru emphasized that the holy month of Ramadan provides an excellent opportunity for Christians worldwide to strengthen good relationships with Muslims through interfaith Ramadan Iftar-breakfast for peace and unity. This involves eating together, interacting, and engaging in dialogue to promote peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance.
The initiative is also a reciprocal gesture for the goodwill extended by Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, a Muslim woman who consistently supports the Church's widows and orphans during Christmas, New Year, and Easter celebrations.
Last year, the church distributed over 50 bags of food items across five Northern states to enable poor Muslims to fully participate in the 30-day fasting and prayers of Ramadan.
This year's distribution includes mats and plastic kettles, encouraging recipients to stay at home and pray for an end to the country's rising challenges, such as banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, general insecurity, and high inflation.
Pastor Buru called on well-meaning individuals and traders to refrain from arbitrary price increases during the Holy Month of Ramadan. He extended warm wishes to Muslims worldwide for a happy Ramadan Kareem, emphasizing the importance of prayers for peace and unity in the country.
He also urged youth to refrain from engaging in immoral activities during the Holy months and be more committed to praying to Allah.
Leaders of the Association of Persons Living with Disabilities expressed gratitude for the consistent support from the church over the past 11 years. They called on wealthy Muslims to contribute food items, enabling them to stay at home and pray for the nation during Ramadan.
Sheikh Ibrahim Musa, a teacher at a Tsangaya Islamic school, highlighted the church's ongoing support for the school, including the donation of food items and educational materials. Another teacher, Mallam Usman Mohammad, expressed appreciation for the church's consistent support, concluding with prayers for blessings upon Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru and the church members.
The distribution during Ramadan, which coincides with the Christian Lenten period, underscores the need for both Muslims and Christians to dedicate more time to praying for divine intervention to address the rising insecurity, peace instability, and hunger protests in the country.