As part of efforts towards fostering togetherness and peaceful coexistence devoid of religious sentiment, the Catholic Bishop of Abuja Dioceses, Arch Bishop Rev. John Onaiyekan and a visiting Bishop from Catholic Arch Diocese of Detroit, United States of America (USA), Bishop Donald Hanshon, at the weekend visited the Apo Legislative Quarter, Juma’a Mosque, Abuja to have a special Inter-Faith prayers and Iftar (Break-Fast) with Muslim brothers and sisters.
The programme was organised by the youth wing of the Islamic and Da’awah Foundation with the aim of promoting peace and understanding among the Nigerian Muslims and Christian youths.
The Bishops and his crew were received by the Chief Imam of the Mosque and the grand patron of the organisation, Imam Mohammed Nura Khalid, who described the visit as a sign of peace among the two religions, calling on the relationship to continue for the good of the country.
Contributing, former Senator and the Chairman committee of the Apo Mosque, Abubakar Sodangi, said that the visiting of both Bishops, especially Hanshon, from America is commendable, adding that whatever they are hearing about Nigeria is not true saying that everybody believed in their brotherhood.
Earlier, Arch Bishop Onaiyekan had thanked the Muslim communities for raising the relationship between Muslims and Christians, noting that he would in turn invite the Muslims Ummah to participate in his activities to foster more unity.
He however, called on the two religions’ youths to always corporate in the interest of peace, even as he affirmed that no religion preaches violence and whoever engages in any form of violence is not a true believer of both religions.
In his remarks, Bishop Hanshon, promised to relate the experience of his visit to America noting that Nigerians love each other, including strangers. He said tht by what he had seen and believed as false what they hear about Nigeria, urging the religious leaders to maintain relationship.