From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
In a remarkable display of interfaith solidarity, hundreds of Muslims—including youths, women, and prominent Islamic scholars from various Northern Nigerian states—joined Christians at the 2025 Christmas service of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna.
This annual event aimed to strengthen Christian-Muslim relations in the region.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, the General Overseer of the church, noted that Muslim participation in the Christmas celebration has become a longstanding tradition, with attendees coming from all 19 Northern states to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and to promote peace, unity, and mutual understanding.
Pastor Buru highlighted that Muslims from various sects, including the Tijjaniyya, Shi’ite groups affiliated with the Islamic Movement, and Sunni Muslims, attended the service with a shared commitment to peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance.
“This marks the 15th time that Muslims and Christians have gathered for this historic annual event, aimed at strengthening our relationship and fostering unity,” he said.
During the service, Muslim delegations presented gifts to the church as symbols of love, friendship, and unity between the two faiths. “Their presence and gifts reflect our shared humanity and commitment to living together in peace,” Pastor Buru added.
He emphasized that the celebration took place amid economic hardships, insecurity, rising food prices, poverty, and unemployment across the country, stressing that interfaith cooperation and prayers are essential for national stability.
Over the years, he observed, hundreds of Muslims have attended the church’s Christmas services annually, highlighting the growing strength of interreligious ties in Northern Nigeria.
Pastor Buru called on Christian and Muslim leaders to intensify their prayers for peace and urged Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in addressing security challenges that threaten peaceful coexistence.
“We are all children of Adam and Eve. We worship one God, share holy books, and believe in paradise and hell. These shared values should unite us,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Muslim leaders who have consistently participated in the Christmas celebration for over 15 years. Islamic scholar Sheikh Salihu Mai Barota, speaking at the event, stated that Muslims attended the service to celebrate with their Christian brothers and sisters, promote peace and unity, and encourage religious tolerance.
“We came to strengthen our relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christianity,” Sheikh Barota said, calling on both Muslims and Christians to continue praying for peace and stability while urging the youth to reject religious violence and avoid spreading misinformation on social media.
Imam Ibrahim Musa, an Islamic school leader from Igabi Local Government Area in Kaduna State, congratulated Christians on their Christmas celebration and encouraged the youth to support government efforts aimed at promoting peace and unity. He noted that Muslims and Christians regularly visit one another during religious celebrations, including the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), fostering mutual respect and understanding.
Imam Musa described the annual Christmas service at Pastor Yohanna Buru’s church as a powerful symbol of interfaith harmony in Nigeria. He also mentioned that Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru received the 2022 United Nations World International Interfaith Harmony Week Award, presented by King Abdullah II of Jordan, in recognition of his outstanding commitment to peacebuilding.
Other speakers, including Sheikh Ahmed Rufai of Kaduna and Mallam Lawal Maduru, also called for continuous prayers for peace and responsible use of social media, and warned the youth against drug abuse in society.
