Maiduguri Interfaith Summit Urges Christians, Muslims to Strengthen Peaceful Coexistence
By Ahmed Ahmed
Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Borno have called for sustained dialogue, mutual respect and religious tolerance to promote peaceful coexistence between adherents of the two faiths in Maiduguri.
The call was made at a one-day Interfaith Summit for Peaceful Coexistence and Religious Tolerance between Christians and Muslims on Tuesday, organised by the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Borno/Yobe District Headquarters, Maiduguri.
Speaking at the summit, Apostle Joshua Michael urged Christians and Muslims to strengthen mutual understanding and continue advocating for a peaceful environment where adherents of both faiths could live together as brothers and sisters.
Michael also called on the faithful to respect each other’s religious beliefs and practices.
He stressed that peaceful coexistence remained essential for the development and stability of the society.
Rev. Titus Pona, Chairman, Christian Religious Leaders Assembly in Borno, said peacebuilding should be strengthened through shared ethical values, social action and theological exchanges.
Pona, who spoke from the Christian perspective, emphasised righteousness, honesty, fairness and mutual encouragement as values capable of strengthening relationships between the two faith communities.
Also speaking, Rev. Manasseh Gizo, Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno, urged Christians and Muslims to shun hate speech, warning that inflammatory statements could undermine peaceful coexistence and deepen mistrust.
From the Islamic perspective, Imam Ali Fezzan of the Federal Government College Maiduguri Central Mosque called for discipline, cooperation and mutual understanding among adherents of both religions.
He urged Muslims to shun hypocrisy and arrogance, stressing the importance of humility and good conduct in promoting peace.
Fezzan noted that calamities and insecurity did not discriminate between Muslims and Christians, adding that both communities must therefore work together to protect peace and support one another.
The summit emphasised continuous interfaith engagement, respect for religious values and collective action as pathways to lasting peace in Borno
