Gwagwalada (FCT), Abuja: Religious leaders from across Nigeria have called for deeper interfaith dialogue as a pathway to lasting peace, urging citizens to embrace understanding over division.
At a seminar hosted by the International Harvest School of Theology, scholars and clerics emphasised that Nigeria’s cultural and religious diversity should be seen as a strength, not a barrier.
Prof. Chinyere Ilochi, President of the school, described dialogue as “a significant way of surmounting most challenges bedevilling the country.”
The seminar has as a theme “Inter-religious Dialogue: The panacea for World Peace”.
According to her, cultural diversity has made achieving peace in Nigeria difficult.
She said that Nigeria, as a country, needed to use dialogue to achieve peace because it was a significant way of surmounting most challenges bedevilling the country.
“There is a need for understanding among ourselves as well as creating job opportunities for the youths, because this will help in reducing insurgency and other vices among young adults in the country,” she said
She therefore called on all religious organisations to embrace dialogue with a view to ensuring peace and harmony among the Nigerian populace.
Similarly, retired Gen. Paul Boro said that using dialogue as a means of conflict resolution remained the best strategy to attaining international peace and security.
Boro, who was the chairman of the event, also said that the seminar would help educate the populace on the need to embrace dialogue as a way of achieving peace and tranquillity in the country, irrespective of religious affiliation.
“Whether you are a Christian, Muslim or traditional believer, peace is the bottom line of any subject matter. Without peace, there won’t be security or even development,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to continue to embrace dialogue and not violence in dispute resolution.
In the same vein, ASP Muhammad Ndagi, Chief Imam, Police Mobile Force, 45 Squadron Base Central Mosque, called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue not as theory, but a commitment to peace, justice, and mercy.
According to him, if society embraces dialogue, Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world will be closer to the peace we all desire.
“Inter-religious dialogue is not about erasing differences, but remembering our common origin and building relationships upon that truth.”
He quoted the Qur’an 49:13 to buttress the need for dialogue in achieving peace.
“Diversity is not a curse; it is a divine blessing. We are meant to recognise one another, cooperate and compete in goodness, not in hatred.
“Honour is bestowed upon those who are more God-conscious in their dealings. So, for Muslims, it is not enough that you profess the Faith which qualifies and admits you into the Islamic global Brotherhood (The Ummah).
“But you are expected to think righteous, talk righteous and act righteous for the benefit of humanity at large”, he said.
He further explained that dialogue was a divine command handed down to the Muslim faithful.
Ndagi further added that the essence of inter-faith dialogue was to build on what unites the people, while respecting each other’s differences.
He said that Faith was best proven not just in words, but in service to humanity, adding that the Qur’an admonished Muslims not to profess the belief, but to perfect it with righteous deeds.
He noted that, regarding the methodology of dialogue, the Qur’an was obvious in stating that it should be carried out most respectfully.
According to him, the crises of our time, including terrorism, ethnic conflict, and political violence, are often fueled by religious manipulation.
He, however, said that dialogue was the antidote that reduces suspicion, nurtures trust, and builds resilience against extremist ideologies.
Also speaking, Prof. Sylvanus Ofili, speaking on the Christian perspective, said that peace was a gift from God that only Jesus Christ could give.
Represented by Dr Emmanuel Ekuri, Managing Editor, New Kingdom Trumpet Newspaper, Ofili noted that peace could only come through Christ.
He quoted some scriptures in the Bible, including Isaiah 9:6 and John 14:27, to support his assertion that peace could only come from Christ.
Meanwhile, Mr Nnamdi Onyeanuna, speaking from an educational perspective, noted that education provides insight into various cultures and traditions, thereby enhancing inter-religious tolerance.