News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPF), an NGO, has organised an interfaith dialogue to promote peaceful coexistence in Kaduna State.
The dialogue was organised in partnership with Kukah Centre and Justice, Development and Peace Initiative, on Saturday in Kaduna.
It was principally to encourage dialogue among various religious faithful, as there would be no peace without dialogue among the various religions and seeking common ground for collaboration in communities.
The Northern Coordinator, GPF, Sheik Haliru Maraya, said inter-religious dialogue is an instrument of peace for the common good of the society
He added that the only solution to protect people from violence is through interfaith dialogue, and cautioned political and religious leaders to stop using religion to divide the people.
“We must engage in positive and cooperative interactions between people of different religions at both the individual and institutional levels, with a view to respecting and understanding each other.
“There is a saying that ‘no peace among nations without peace among the religions’.
“The dialogue isn’t just talks, it must include human interaction and relationships,” he said.
Maraya who described peace as freedom from disturbance and state of insecurity within a community, said dialogue brings about the unity of humanity.
“Also, justice and kindness, love for mankind, and respecting the rights of others.
“We should always preach forgiveness and tolerate one another and a symbiotic relationship,” the GPF official said.
The coordinator emphasised that the fundamental effect of peace is in the common good of the
society, anything that benefits the entire society.
Earlier, an official of Kukah Centre, Fr. Onuh Sixtus, said the project was targeting people living in Kaduna metropolis to contribute to peace making and peace building.
“Let’s find a way to make the society more lively and accessible, where people can live peaceful,” he told the participants.
Also, the Director, Justice, Development and Peace Initiative, Kaduna Archdiocese, Joshua Achir, said making peace is a civic responsibility.
“We must always look for a away to avert crisis and solve it; we must do dialogue for peace.
The Catholic Women Organization representative, Patricia Allah-Magani, said women are at receiving end at any crisis.
She said: “We must tolerate one another, we must make peace. Peace must be promoted, sustained, encouraged and accepted by all.”
The representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps said ignorance has been contributing to crisis in the state and other parts of the country.
They said promoting peace in the country is a civic responsibility of all response
The participants were drawn from religious and traditional leaders, as well as youths and women.