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Eid-ul-Maulud: Nigeria’s Christian Leaders Urge “mutual respect” amid Religious Diversity

Logo of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Credit: CAN

By Magdalene Kahiu

Jos, 27 September, 2023 / 4:27 pm (ACI Africa).

On the occasion of Eid-ul-Maulud, the Muslim celebration that marks the birth of Prophet Mohammed, Christian leaders in Nigeria are calling for the fostering of “mutual respect” in the West African nation that they say is characterized by religious diversity. 

In a statement issued Wednesday, September 27, the day the Federal Government of Nigeria declared a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Maulud, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wishes the Muslim faithful in the country a “peaceful celebration”.

“As we commemorate this significant festival, we acknowledge Nigeria's diverse society, comprising individuals from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds,” says Archbishop Daniel Okoh

Archbishop Okoh adds, “It is within this rich diversity that our strength as a nation resides. Consequently, we must persist in promoting mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all religious communities.”

“On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Christian community at large, I extend our warm congratulations and heartfelt greetings to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, and all our Muslim compatriots across Nigeria on the auspicious occasion of Eid-el-Maulud,” says the CAN official. 

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Christians in parts of Nigeria have been facing persecution from their Muslim compatriots.

On September 26, activists at the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) called on the United Nations (UN) to intervene in insecurity in Southeastern Nigeria by investigating those behind Jihadist killings targeting Christians in the region.

The team of security experts, governance professionals, criminologists, and lawyers said Governors of the Southeastern Nigerian States have failed to call out Jihadist Fulani herdsmen behind killings in the region, leading to the escalation of the crisis.

“The present Southeast Governors have also been found to be so fearful that it looks as if they collectively or individually have skeletons in their cupboards or collective hidden agenda against their people. They are so afraid to publicly condemn the jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and their atrocities in the region,” Intersociety activists lamented.

Magdalene Kahiu

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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