Interfaith Forum pushes for sustainable peace in Kaduna

The Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), a movement for national peace and harmonious relationship, yesterday met with relevant stakeholders in Kaduna towards finding lasting peace in Kaduna State.

Alhaji Ishaq Sani, Co-Chair of the forum, explained at the opening of the meeting that they were in the state on fact finding and peace advocacy over the protracted violent conflicts in the state.

Sani said that the interaction with relevant stakeholders became necessary to share experiences and agree on possible ways of ending suspicion and mistrust that often lead to conflict.

According to him, the conflicts, under the cover of religion, tribe and farmers/herders clash, has continued to keep Nigerians divided.

He accused politicians of using religion and ethnicity as a cover to cause disagreement among people for their selfish political ambitions, stressing that the politicians always disappeared when elections are over.

He called on the people to respect each other’s religion and beliefs for harmonious relationship.

You must lean from the Yoruba people who do not fight over religion.

“It is among Yoruba people that you will find both Christians and Muslims in same family living in peace.

“We have been to Plateau, Zamfara, Taraba and Benue states and today we are in Kaduna State for the same mission, peace.

“We are hear to find out what the problems are in Kaduna state from all relevant stakeholders; what they are doing and what need to be done to ensure peace in the state.

“Our goal is to find lasting solutions to whatever is disrupting the harmonious relationship and peaceful coexistence we once enjoy and ensure lasting peace in our country,” Sani said.

During discussions, Malam Musa Gambo, Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the state, said that peace was only possible if herders are given enough grazing land to graze their cattle.

Gambo also urged IDFP to advise security agencies against arbitrary arrests of innocent cattle rearers in the name of maintaining security.

On his part, Alhaji Dahiru Kajuru, Cjairman, Ja,amatu Nasril Islam (JNI), Kajuru Local Government Area of the state, noted that people from religious divide must learn to live together for peace to reign.

Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, called on the state government to be proactive in tackling disagreements among people.

Ibrahim also added that the state government must be sincere and just in handling state affairs without undue favour of one group over another.

He pointed out that Kaduna metropolis was divided along religious lines, adding that government must do something about it.

Mrs Ruth Magaji, Chairperson, CAN, Women Wing in the state, pointed out that women and children are at the receiving end during crises.

Magaji called on caregivers to inculcate good values and tolerance in their children so that they would grow to respect people from other religion and see them as fellow humans rather than enemies.

“We must encourage children to relate with one another across the religious divide to build mutual trust,” she said.

The meeting was attended by religious leaders, farmers associations, youths organisations and other interfaith groups among others.