A Kaduna-based Christian cleric and international interfaith harmony advocate, Pastor Yohanna Buru, has led members of his church to join thousands of Muslims in celebrating Eid-el-Maulud in Kaduna State, in a renewed effort to promote religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding.
Pastor Buru, General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry and a recipient of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week recognition by King Abdullah II of Jordan, said the celebration marked his 11th consecutive year of participating in Maulud activities with Muslims in Kaduna and other parts of northern Nigeria.
The cleric and members of his congregation joined thousands of Muslims at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, where Islamic scholars, religious leaders, and community members gathered to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Speaking at the event, Pastor Buru said his participation was driven by the conviction that peace could only be achieved when people of different faiths deliberately created opportunities to interact, understand and respect one another.
He said Maulud celebrations offered an important platform for Christians and Muslims to build bridges, overcome misconceptions and strengthen relationships across religious divides.
Delivering a lecture on peace and unity, Pastor Buru described Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a messenger whose teachings on peace, love and compassion remained relevant to humanity.
“The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is for all mankind, irrespective of tribe, culture, region, colour, race or nationality,” Pastor Baru said.
He urged Nigerians of different religious and ethnic backgrounds to embrace one another, forgive past differences and work together towards building a peaceful and united nation.
According to him, Christians and Muslims share a common belief in one Creator and should draw from their respective holy books, the Bible and the Qur’an, principles that promote peace, love and peaceful coexistence.
Pastor Buru stressed that his participation in Maulud celebrations did not compromise his Christian faith, explaining that celebrating with Muslims was part of his practical approach to promoting interfaith understanding.
He disclosed that he participates in more than 30 Maulud celebrations every year across different states in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
“Each year, I participate in more than 30 Maulud celebrations from one state to another and in some neighbouring countries, with the aim of celebrating with Muslims and promoting peace, unity and religious tolerance,” the cleric said.
He urged Christians and Muslims to use the Eid-el-Maulud period to promote love, forgiveness, unity and peaceful coexistence across the country.
Pastor Buru was accompanied to the celebration by Pastor George John, Reverend Rawland Sanda, Gabriel Stephen and other members of his church.
Also speaking, Reverend Rawland Sanda said Christian leaders had continued to honour invitations from Muslims to participate in Maulud celebrations because of the role such engagements play in strengthening relationships between the two major faith communities.
“Every year, Muslims invite us to participate in their annual Maulud gatherings, and we always come to celebrate with them because we believe in promoting peace, unity and good relationships among people of different faiths,” he said.
Reverend Sanda noted that the gesture was reciprocal, explaining that Christians also invite Muslims to their churches during Christmas celebrations to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
“We congratulate Muslims all over the world and pray for peace and unity in our dear country,” he said.
Islamic scholars, including Imam Mohammed Musa and Imam Iliyasu Yusuf of Zaria, Kaduna State, commended Pastor Buru and other Christian leaders for participating in the Maulud celebration.
They described the initiative as a cherished tradition that promotes religious understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The scholars said Christian leaders’ participation in Maulud celebrations has, over the years, provided an important platform for bringing Christians and Muslims together and strengthening peace and unity in Kaduna and other parts of Nigeria.
They consequently called on the Federal Government to consider conferring a national honour on Pastor Buru in recognition of what they described as his practical and sustained efforts to promote peace, religious tolerance, and interfaith harmony in Nigeria.
