By Fatimah Muhammad/Daniel Obaje
Foreign religious leaders have called for respect, interfaith collaboration and practical action to tackle insecurity and promote peaceful coexistence.
The leaders disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja at the International Conference on Community Partnership for a Promising Future.
They said lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue, education, mutual understanding and respect for different religious traditions.
The two-day conference, held under the patronage of President Bola Tinubu, was organised by the Muslim World League (MWL) in collaboration with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) Nigeria.
Mr Samuel Shropshire, President of Muslim Voice for Peace, said Islam have an important role to play in promoting peace within and among nations.
“You look around the world, not to mention Christians and Muslims and Jews fighting each other, it needs to stop, we need peace in this earth.
“We need to work together in peace. Jewish Voice for Peace, Christian peace groups, as well as Muslim Voice for Peace. We join hands and we work,” he said.
The U.S.-based scholar also called for greater respect for human life, citing the teachings and examples of Prophet Muhammad.
He said even during conflict, religious buildings, women, children and older people should not be targeted.
Shropshire expressed hope that the conference would inspire faith communities to take shared responsibility for promoting peace.
“I hope that we can walk hand in hand in doing what’s right for the earth, for the planet, for all our peoples, we must work together,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Othman Farooq, founder of One Message Foundation, United States, said mutual respect for religious texts and traditions was fundamental to peaceful coexistence.
“Our message here and our reason for coming here is to spread peace, to spread tranquillity and to promote societies and communities living with each other in a manner that is befitting, all of us to have a great future.”
He condemned actions aimed at mocking religious beliefs, saying such acts could deepen mistrust and tension among communities.
Farooq said religious differences should be approached with understanding and respect, noting that the example of Prophet Muhammad demonstrated the importance of honouring other religious traditions.
He described the conference as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
“Obviously, this conference, where speakers came from all over the world, is proof that the government of Nigeria is taking steps to have peaceful dialogue and coexistence in this blessed country of Nigeria,” he said.
Mr Isa Hussain, a delegate from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and Vice-President of Muslim Voice for Peace, Washington D.C., urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and translate the conference resolutions into practical action.
“It’s very important that we work together for the greater good, this conference teaches us that we have to learn about each other, learn about the other faith.”
He said ignorance often creates fear and misunderstanding, adding that religious communities should create opportunities for people of different faiths to interact.
Hussain suggested exchange visits between churches and mosques as one practical way of building understanding.
“For example, after the speakers here, we would go to a church, talk to them about Islam or, for example, visit a mosque, that way we will apply what we heard in this conference to reality.”
He also urged young people to deepen their knowledge of their faith and share it respectfully with others.
“It’s good to always get to know your neighbour, get to know your friends, get to know your co-workers and teach them about your faith, about your culture, that way they won’t be scared of it,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz