By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Christians and Muslims in Kaduna State have demonstrated renewed commitment to interfaith harmony as Christian clerics joined Muslim faithful to commemorate Eid-el-Maulud, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The celebration, held at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, brought together religious leaders, government officials and residents from different faith backgrounds in a show of solidarity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Leading the Christian delegation was Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, who said his participation was part of a longstanding commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding between Christians and Muslims.
Buru, a recipient of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week recognition by the late King Abdullah of Jordan, said the 2026 celebration marked his 11th consecutive participation in Maulud activities alongside Muslims in Kaduna and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
He said the annual gathering provides an opportunity for people of different religious backgrounds to interact, strengthen mutual understanding and build bridges capable of promoting lasting peace.
According to him, peaceful coexistence requires sustained dialogue, mutual respect and a willingness by adherents of different faiths to understand and appreciate one another.
Speaking during a lecture on peace and unity, Buru described Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a messenger whose teachings on peace, compassion and love remain relevant to humanity.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond religious and ethnic differences, forgive past grievances and work collectively towards building a peaceful and united society.
“The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is for all mankind, irrespective of tribe, culture, region, colour, race or nationality,” he said.
Buru also emphasised the common values shared by Christians and Muslims, urging adherents of both faiths to draw lessons from the Bible and Qur’an in promoting peaceful and harmonious relationships.
He explained that his participation in Islamic celebrations does not undermine his Christian faith, but rather reflects his commitment to practical peacebuilding and interfaith engagement.
The cleric disclosed that he participates in more than 30 Maulud celebrations annually across different states in Nigeria and neighbouring countries as part of efforts to encourage religious tolerance, unity and peaceful coexistence.
“Each year, I participate in more than 30 Maulud celebrations from one state to another and in some neighbouring countries, with the aim of celebrating with Muslims and promoting peace, unity and religious tolerance,” he said.
He called on Christians and Muslims to use the Maulud period to promote love, forgiveness and unity while rejecting religious intolerance and division.
Buru was accompanied to the celebration by Pastor George John, Reverend Rawland Sanda, Gabriel Stephen and other members of his congregation.
Also speaking, Reverend Sanda said Christian leaders had consistently responded to invitations from Muslim communities to participate in Maulud celebrations, describing the practice as an important avenue for strengthening relationships between adherents of the two faiths.
“Every year, Muslims invite us to participate in their annual Maulud gatherings, and we always come to celebrate with them because we believe in promoting peace, unity and good relationships among people of different faiths,” he said.
He noted that the gesture was reciprocal, explaining that Muslims are similarly invited to Christian programmes, particularly during Christmas celebrations.
“We congratulate Muslims all over the world and pray for peace and unity in our dear country,” Sanda added.
Commending the Christian leaders for their continued participation, Islamic scholars Imam Mohammed Musa and Imam Iliyasu Yusuf of Zaria described the joint celebrations as an enduring tradition that has contributed to religious understanding and peaceful coexistence in Kaduna State.
Imam Yusuf said Buru’s participation in Maulud celebrations had spanned 11 years, describing his commitment to interfaith engagement as worthy of recognition.
“For 11 years, we have been celebrating the birth of our holy Prophet with Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru at various Maulud celebrations in Kaduna and some parts of Northern Nigeria,” he said.
The Islamic clerics subsequently called on the Federal Government to consider conferring a national honour on Buru in recognition of his sustained efforts towards promoting interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance and peace in Nigeria.
