By Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, (Media &Communications) to the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejoices with Nigerian Muslims over the successful completion of the Ramadan period which involved purification through fasting and seeking for blessings and forgiveness from the Almighty God, the creator of mankind.
The Nigerian Christian body expresses its determination and commitment to collaborate with the leadership of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) to promote peaceful co-existence among adherents of the nation’s two major religions and work towards ensuring unity, peace and progress of the country.
Ramadan, being the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is very important, considering the fact that it beckoned on Muslim faithful to eschew self-seeking personal goals and work assiduously towards developing spiritual growth through demonstration of kindness, forgiveness and generosity for all, irrespective of religious differences. The Ramadan is also a relevant period for the Muslim Ummah as it gives opportunity to the faithful to purify their souls in a bid to bring them closer to the Almighty God.
After a successful completion of this obligation that is among the five pillars of Islam, we congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters on successfully completing this all-important religious act. We are convinced that the spirit of sacrifice which the Ramadan epitomises in the lives of Muslims will be demonstrated in the coming months through collaborating with non-Muslim faithful in the promotion of peace and harmony in Nigeria’s multi-cultural setting.
The CAN leadership reiterates its irrevocable commitment to working with the leadership of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) in promoting peaceful co-existence and ensuring the emergence of a just Nigerian society where justice and equity will become the bonds of our shared humanity, and where none is discriminated on the basis of their religion or social status.
Considering the many challenges bedevilling our country, CAN is optimistic that the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) will become more vibrant and effective as to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the myriad ills plaguing our country. While appreciating the gesture of the government in resuscitating NIREC after many years of inactivity, CAN looks forward to a more robust interaction for religious harmony.
In celebrating the end of the Ramadan, CAN is hopeful that our political leaders at all levels will cease all discriminatory practices on the basis of religious, political or ethnic differences. Since Christianity and Islam preach unity, we earnestly pray that the Federal Government, through security agencies, will find means of resolving rampant killings by Boko Haram terrorists, criminal herdsmen and bandits.
Once again, Christians all over Nigerian congratulate all Nigerian Muslims, among others, and wish them a happy Eid-el-Fitr.
HAPPY CELEBRATIONS