Prominent Nigerian Roman Catholic prelate and Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; and the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS), Sheik Fuad Adeyemi have urged Nigerian to be wary of foreign infiltration capable of undermining the unity of the country.
They made the call at the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society central mosque in Guzape, Abuja, during the daily distribution of fruits and foods to thousands of Muslims to break their fast, under the organisation’s food bank programme.
The iftar (breaking of fast feast), provided meals for over 3,000 Muslims and non-Muslims alike, as part of the Al-Habibiyyah Food Bank’s daily initiatives throughout Ramadan, aiming to support the needy and foster national unity.
Cardinal Onaiyekan was accompanied by Archbishop of Abuja and Northern Province, African Church, Rev. Peter Ogunmuyiwa; and Executive Director of the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), Sister Agatha Chikelue.
He noted that an earlier speaker at the event had remarked, and the Catholic Bishop’s Conference in Abuja in the communique had also noted that this year, Ramadan and Lent started on the same day, and should not be seen as just coincidence or accident.
“We should see it as providence, that God is asking us to put our heads together, to put our hearts and minds together.
“Since what we are doing as Christians and Muslims, more or less, is the same thing, namely, a period when we want to get close to God, a period when we look into our hearts to improve our moral life.
“A time also when we have self-discipline, whether by fasting or by whatever form of self-denial. It is the same thing for both religions, and when we do it together, surely God is all the more, happy with us.
It is because of that, particularly, this year I must come here to celebrate with Imam Fuad, this iftar, this breaking of the fast, at least one day. And I’m glad that today is the day that God himself has assigned for me to teach me,” Onaiyekan said.
…Lessons on Israel/United States vs Iran conflict
Speaking on the ongoing war between Israel-United States and Iran, Cardinal Onaiyekan lamented the joint attack of Israeli and then United States armed forces against Iran.
“And many people are really afraid that this thing can escalate. We are talking of people with heavy weapons. Whether or not Iran has nuclear weapons or not is not the matter. But it’s going to destabilize the whole region and it will affect everybody.
“There is one aspect that I want all of us here to take note of, in case you don’t know. When Iran decided to retaliate, it decided to target all United States bases, installations, all over the region.
“And the countries in which the United States has military bases, includes Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and even Syria.
“And therefore, what do we have? Iran is bombing all these countries where the United States bases are. And of course, if United States bases are in any country, it won’t be like that country is in a collaboration with United States. They have a military agreement to fight together.
“So, what is happening now is that Iran, 100 percent are Muslims, they have to fight battles with one of the major Islamic nations who are also Muslims.
“And those countries are in alliance with United States of America, which is not Muslim. I’m hoping that we Nigerians will please learn from our own history and not allow anybody to use religion to cause us to kill ourselves unnecessarily.
“Obviously, the Saudis who agreed that United States can put military base in their territory, they know that Iranians will attack them. In this case, obviously, Islam is not counted in this equation,” Onaiyekan said.
He noted that he is a Catholic and a Christian, as nothing can stop that from him and that this does not stop Nigerians from being brothers and sisters.
He said, “We should not allow anybody to use it to make us fight one another. And I do not know whether you can consider America a Christian nation.
“But as you know, Trump has been making noise about being a Christian. And definitely, the battle he’s fighting in Iran is not against Islam.
“If it was, he would be fighting his own friends. Why is he not fighting his friends? So, we have to shine our eyes, and we Christians do not allow anybody to deceive us. And I hope the Nigerian Muslims will not allow anybody to deceive them.”
…Adeyemi cautions against deceit, divisions
Speaking earlier, the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS), Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, urged Nigerians not to be deceived to see themselves as enemies on religious lines, especially by those spreading malice and deceptions to divined the country.
He commended Cardinal Onaiyekan for the initiative and for being ‘a father’ all the times, apart from being a unifying figure for both Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria is a unique country in terms of religious composition and co-existence and that this was known globally.
“If we want to preach our religion, the best way to preach it is in a peaceful way. You can convince me that your religion is better than my own if you are the best to humanity. If you are the one that can make everyone happy with your actions, then you are telling me that you are better than me.
“It’s not by bringing out gun, it’s not by bringing out swords or knives and beginning to kill ourselves,” Adeyemi said.
He lamented that some people have been giving Nigeria a bad name with their actions attributed to religion.
“We are challenged today. We have people who have been giving us different names and we need to show to the world that Nigeria is a unique country. There’s no country like Nigeria when it comes religion.
“We have a very high number of Christians and we have a high number of Muslims and yet we are cohabiting peacefully. And when enemies come in, they want us to see ourselves as enemies. This should not be allowed to happen,” Adeyemi said.
On their parts, retired General Abbas Adekanye; Rev. Ogunmuyiwa, Sisiter Agatha Chikelue and Senator Saliu Mustapha urged Nigerians to maintain and improve on the cordiality despite the religious and ethnic differences.
They stressed that what united Nigerians are more and enduring than the differences and also that there is no other country or place to call Nigeria.
“We should continue to do the best and whatever sacrifices we can to keep it as one, where everybody feel belong, happy and proud to be a Nigerian,” Sister Chikelue said.
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