CAN at 50: NSCIA urges Muslims, Christians to strengthen unity

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has congratulated the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Christian community on the association’s 50th anniversary, describing the milestone as significant for the country.

The council’s Secretary-General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, conveyed the message in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

The NSCIA said Nigeria had experienced various challenges over the past five decades, during which religious leaders and institutions had played important roles in promoting peace, dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.

It noted that Muslims and Christians constituted the majority of Nigeria’s population and shared a responsibility to promote peace, justice, security, responsible citizenship and national development.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the entire Christian community in Nigeria on the occasion of the Association’s 50th anniversary.

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“The Council considers the 50th anniversary of CAN a significant milestone not only for the Christian community but also for the Nigerian nation.

“Throughout this period, Nigeria has passed through various challenges and difficult moments. Through these periods, religious leaders and institutions have continued to play an important role in promoting peace, dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among the diverse peoples and faith communities of the country.

“The NSCIA recognises the importance of the relationship between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.

“Our two communities constitute the overwhelming majority of the Nigerian population and share a common responsibility to promote peace, entrench justice, advance security, contribute to responsible citizenship and the development of our dear country,” Oloyede stated.

The council called for sustained interfaith dialogue and cooperation, noting that Nigeria’s challenges required collective action by citizens across religious and other divides.

It listed injustice, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, social inequality and the need for accountable and responsive governance among the issues requiring joint efforts.

According to the statement, “The challenges confronting our nation, particularly injustice, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, social inequality and the need for accountable and responsive governance, require the collective efforts of all Nigerians.

“It is in this regard that the NSCIA attaches great importance to sustained inter-faith dialogue and cooperation.

“The Council particularly appreciates the platforms that have enabled leaders of the two faith communities to engage constructively on issues affecting the peace, unity and development of Nigeria, including the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).”

The NSCIA said CAN’s golden anniversary also offered an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility of religious leaders in promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence.

It maintained that religious differences should not lead to division, hatred or violence, but should encourage justice, compassion and service to humanity.

“The 50th anniversary of CAN is therefore an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility of religious leadership in strengthening national unity and promoting peaceful coexistence.

“The NSCIA believes that religious differences should never be allowed to become sources of division, hatred or violence.

“Rather, our respective faiths should continue to inspire us towards justice, compassion, peaceful coexistence and service to humanity,” the council stated.

The Islamic body congratulated CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association’s National Executive Committee, its member denominations and associations, and Christians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“As CAN marks its golden anniversary, the Council congratulates the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh; the National Executive Committee (NEC), the various Christian denominations and Associations under its umbrella as well as Christians across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

“We wish the Association greater wisdom in the discharge of its onerous national and sacred responsibilities.”