By Suleiman Shehu
An Ibadan-based Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Taofeek Akeugbagold, has advised Muslims and Christians to use the 2026 Ramadan and Lent to foster unity among themselves.
Akeugbagold, the former Chairman of Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
NAN reports that both Ramadan and Lent will commence on Wednesday, a situation Akeugbagold described as a rare occurrence.
“This alignment comes at a time when our country is facing the challenge of terrorism, affecting both Muslims and Christians,” he said.
He urged both Muslims and Christians to share spiritual experiences, fear God, aid the less privileged, and exercise self-discipline, among other things.
“Muslims and Christians must understand that they are brothers and have many things in common under spiritual faith.
“Some verses of the Holy Quran proved the claim that both Islam and Christianity have many things in common.
“The Holy Prophet Muhammad once honoured some Christian delegates who visited him, including some from Africa.
“In fact, he established an agreement between Muslims and other religious communities, known as the Charter of Medina.
“One of the points in the Charter of Medina is that all residents should see themselves as one community.
“While they did not need to worship together, they should agree to cooperate in fighting evil,” he said.
He said terrorists claiming to be Muslims represented a distorted ideology and not true Muslims.
He appealed to the Nigerian government to take serious action against radical ideologies, especially those inciting violence and hatred.
“Authorities must monitor and prevent inflammatory speeches on social media, radio, television, and the print media.
“We must confront religious radicalism if we truly want to defeat terrorism,” Akeugbagold said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bukola Adetoye and Moses Solanke
