By Monsuru Olowoopejo

As Nigeria strives to address its security challenges, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar Sa’ad III has urged Muslims to shun any act that could aggravate the challenges confronting the nation.

He made the appeal at the 4th National Convention of the Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC held at the National Art Theatre, Lagos.

The sultan also the President General, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA was represented by the Wazirin Katsina, Dr. Sanni Abubakar Lugga and said that without peace, the country can never develop to compete favorably with others.

He said Muslims must continue to pray and re-examine themselves to ensure that they do that which is right for a better Nigeria.

Different religions

“I urge Nigerians to embrace peace, love, unity and respect for our different religions. Both the Quran and Bible maintain that all human are the children of one man (Adam) all share the same lineage, and with God there is only one human race-all equal and emanating from one single soul.

“This is our country and we are together on a path towards a common destiny. It is important to start to look at our shared humanity in all that we do.”

Harping on the importance of unity among Nigerians, Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Mustafa Pulat said that the country would not have been able to overcome the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD if everyone had not united to tackle the disease.

Pulat who was represented by the Deputy Head of Mission, Yusuf Selçuk, said “We also believe that Nigeria will win her fight against terrorism with the increasing regional and international cooperation against Boko Haram.

“As all conscious and well-educated Muslims know, Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and modesty. Greeting of Islam is “As-salllam Aleykum” which means ‘Peace be upon You.”

Corroborating his view, the Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, Anglican Communion, Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon noted that for us to overcome future implication and to halt the activities of Boko-Haram, Nigerians must be ready to approach negativity with positivity by helping the internally displaced victims.

Internally displaced victims

“For the change of mind, it is only God that can change Boko-Haram, the only way to discourage them is for both Muslim and Christian who belief in God of mercy and love come together and go into that situation help the internally displaced people, so that victims can realized that this sect are not practicing our religion.”

The Bishop however urged that people should distance themselves from any act portraying the fact that it one group that is serving God while the others is not.

“Although as a religious people we have different ways we worship this one God and different understanding of this one God but despite our differences, this God is still one, therefore has Muslim and Christian, it is our responsibility to bring what we know about this God together and leave what we known about him together, then Nigeria will be a better place.”