Commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week 2025: GPF Nigeria Promotes Unity and Belonging through Interfaith Collaboration
Every year, from February 1-7, the world observes World Interfaith Harmony Week, a time dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among people of different faiths and religious traditions. In 2025, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria led in advancing this mission through two key activities: an advocacy visit to the Kaduna State Peace Commission (KSPC) and a live radio interaction on Liberty Radio, Kaduna. These engagements aimed at fostering interfaith dialogue, strengthening social cohesion, and emphasizing the need for religious tolerance in Nigeria under the theme, “Everyone Belongs: Celebrating Diversity and Fostering Belonging.”
On February 6, 2025, GPF Nigeria, led by its Country Director, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, conducted the advocacy visit to KSPC. The delegation comprised leaders from Christianity (Christian Association of Nigeria – CAN), Islam (Jama’atu Nasril Islam – JNI), and Hinduism (International Society for Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON). The visit marked a significant step toward broadening interfaith dialogue beyond the traditional Christian-Muslim framework to include other faith traditions, ensuring everyone truly belongs.
GPF Nigeria hosts an interfaith dialogue in honor of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The delegation was warmly received at the “House of Kaduna Family” Secretariat by Hajia Khadijah Hawaja Gambo, the acting Executive Vice-Chair of KSPC, along with other officials. During the session, Rev. Hayab emphasized that true interfaith harmony requires recognizing all religious groups, regardless of their population size. He noted that discussions on religion in Nigeria often overlook faiths like Hinduism despite their presence in communities.
“The problem of humanity cannot be solved if we claim to practice inclusivity but still exclude some faiths from the conversation,” he stated.
Mrs. Rebecca Sako John, the Permanent Commissioner of KSPC, praised GPF Nigeria for convening this diverse gathering, calling it historic and crucial for long-term peace. She emphasized that understanding different faiths fosters acceptance and respect, leading to sustained interfaith harmony. Similarly, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, Chairman of CAN Kaduna, reinforced that no religion is superior, asserting, “Our faith must extend beyond places of worship into a lifestyle of peace.”
One of the most striking contributions came from His Grace Salika Dasa, Vice-Chair of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), who shared his journey of religious exploration from Islam to Christianity and then Hinduism. He stressed that religious education is essential in dispelling ignorance and fostering acceptance. The advocacy visit strengthened interfaith collaboration, with the Kaduna State Peace Commission pledging ongoing support for initiatives promoting peaceful coexistence.
Radio guests sit together at Liberty FM studio in Nigeria.
Following the advocacy visit, GPF Nigeria organized a live radio interaction on Liberty Radio 91.7 FM, Kaduna, to further spread the message of interfaith harmony. The program featured a diverse panel of religious leaders and peace advocates, including Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Hajia Khadijah Hawaja Gambo, Mrs. Rebecca Sako John, His Grace Salika Dasa, Rev.
Caleb Ma’aji, Mallam Ibrahim Kufena, Secretary, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Kaduna State Branch, and Tunji Oyeleke of Liberty Radio, Kaduna.
The discussion focused on the importance of religious tolerance, the role of families in promoting interfaith values, and the need for government involvement in fostering inclusivity. Notably, the program reached over 1.8 million listeners across Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, and Kano states, making it one of the most impactful engagements of the week.
The program opened with Rev. Hayab explaining the origin and significance of World Interfaith Harmony Week, highlighting its role in building inclusive societies. He emphasized that peacebuilding must go beyond mere dialogue to practical actions that bridge religious divides. Mallam Ibrahim Kufena echoed this sentiment, stressing that “the best way to promote interfaith harmony is not by ignoring our differences but by understanding them.” He called for more education on religious literacy to reduce stereotypes and foster tolerance.
Audience participation added further depth to the conversation. A caller from Niger State, Abbas Alhassan, expressed appreciation for the discussion, admitting that he was hearing about World Interfaith Harmony Week for the first time. Another listener, Mr. Omega Andrew from Kaduna, stressed the need for interfaith education in schools to address religious misconceptions from an early age.
The radio program proved remarkable, fostering interfaith understanding on a large scale and reinforcing the urgent need for continued dialogue and collaboration. Interfaith leadership was significantly strengthened as religious leaders publicly committed to promoting coexistence and working together to advance peace. This commitment translated into a more cohesive society, where religious communities embraced mutual respect and sought ways to cooperate despite their differences. GPF Nigeria pledged to continue championing a future where faith becomes a unifying force for peace, understanding, and belonging.
As Rev. Hayab aptly stated, “We must recognize that despite our religious differences, we are all interconnected. The world can only experience true peace when we embrace this truth and live as One Family under God.”
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