As normalcy
returned to Kaduna State after last week’s political mayhem, Muslim and
Christian women in the state blamed Nigerian leaders for the loss of
lives and property that took place during the crisis.
In a joint press
conference yesterday in Kaduna, the women of the Interfaith Council of
Muslim and Christian Women’s Groups said it was inhuman for the
country’s leaders to be celebrating political victory while its
citizens were being killed in the name of politics.
The Muslim women
were represented by Hafsat Mohammed Baba, and the Christian group by
Doris Maya. Both of them addressed the press.
According to them,
“We find it insensitive on the part of our leaders that they should
celebrate a victory while simultaneously citizens are killing one
another in the name of that victory.
“Dialogue is not
something only Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) members should
participate in; government and leaders at all levels must be open to
sincere and respectful dialogue with all citizens. Dialogue demands an
attentive ear,” said the group. “Had our political and religious
leaders been attentive and alert to the populace they would likely have
addressed the underlying tensions more adequately before they erupted
as they did.” Strength in diversity The women went on to say: “For
Nigeria as a country our diversity is our strength. This should refer
in particular to our religious and our ethnic diversities. Other marked
diversities exist in our society such as of economic class and social
status. “In so far as these diversities are lived in such a way that
they result in social inequality, injustice and exploitation they must
be addressed and eliminated.” They pointed out that “corruption and the
lack of transparent implementation of policies are among our gravest
cancers in Nigeria. Gender difference, although in itself God-given, is
also often used to condone or justify oppression and inequality. All of
these issues must be addressed in the pursuit of peace and justice.”
The women also called on NIREC to find ways of reaching the grassroots
with its message of religious harmony among the citizens.
“NIREC, supported
by government, must be seen to be in the forefront of educating the
followers, not merely by public statements, but by ensuring means of
reaching the grassroots.
“Considering that political conflict is quickly transformed into
religious conflict, especially in the north, government and NIREC must
seriously examine this feature,” they added.
