Interfaith Harmony Week: Nigerian Clerics Organize Reading And Writing Competition Among Inmates in Kaduna
Interfaith Harmony Week: Nigerian Clerics Organize Reading And Writing Competition Among Inmates in Kaduna
As part of activities to mark the 2018 UN interfaith harmony week, some Kaduna based clerics and Non-Governmental organization have organized reading and writing competition during a visit to a Niggas rehabilitation centre ,so as to encourage inmates’ studies of religious books ,as to way to promote better understanding and religious Tolerance.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, who led a team of volunteer Imams and pastors to Niggers Rehabilitation and skill acquisition centre at Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna, explained that their visit was aimed at conducting reading competition which will encourage the inmates in re-dedicating more time to studying their holy Books, so as to enable them have the fear of God; as well as sensitizing them on the need for peaceful co-existence, tolerance and harmony amongst people regardless of their religious inclinations, culture and tradition.
Buru said, ”this is the 5th time we are organizing Reading and written competition to inmate, which we believed will help them in living in peace and harmony with every inmate that is in the house “
He said, “We decided to extend our visitation to inmate so as to spread the message of peace, tolerance and the importance of forgiveness among everyone at the centre as well as award winners of the competition. Empowering them with Religious studies will make them shun the bad attitude of drug abuse which has caused them a great set-back.
“Apart from organizing this competition, we are also visiting other scholars of different faith to strengthen relationship between them, so as to teach the followers the essence of living in peace with one another, in which we believed this will promote unity, tolerance, forgiveness”.
Also, in a bid to encourage genuine reconciliation and devise a means of addressing all forms of ethno-religious-political crisis bordering peace and stability in the country.
Many religious Books were given to the Inmates at the end of the competition among which includes, Hadith, Fiqhu and Sirra and Bagadadi; for the Christians – Daily prayers Books with other religious Books.
Receiving the Books, leader of the centre, Lawal Maduru, expressed appreciation over the kind gestures, adding that it was indeed the 5th time they are organizing this type of reading and written competition.
The centre has been there for over 13 years, and has been helping Transforming mentally challenged and drugs addicts youth to normal, only that it lack financial support to carry out more awareness.
He said the centre has over 20 Christian who performed their religious rite without any form of intimidation considering the perception of people within the state; adding that, the centre has graduated over 1650 youth that came to the centre for rehabilitation and counseling.
“Majority of the inmates are young people including women who are affected mentally, drug addicts as well as some faced with spiritual challenges that need assistance. We give everyone here equal right and permit them to practice his/her religious without discrimination.”
The centre promised to continue organizing reading and writing competition among its inmate in order to sustain peace-building and tolerance among them while the Books, Bibles and Qur’ans donated will be kept in the Library for their use.
Meanwhile, Hajiya Ramatu tijjani , who is a peace ambassador from Northern Nigeria said, they are hoping by next year to extend this kind of competition to refugees camp in the north eastern Nigeria.
Ramatu concluded by saying, Taking interfaith campaign to refugees camp will boost inter-religious Tolerance.
As The interfaith week and harmony is finishing tomorrow, (1st-7th February 2018) they are organizing prayer section for both muslims and Christian for pray for peace and unity of the country.