Ndigbo Muslims charge Christians on virtues of Christ, preach tolerance

NDIGBO Muslims of Nigeria have charged Christians to use this festive period to reflect on the humility, progressiveness and tolerance of Jesus Christ who preached peace, humanity and godliness throughout his life.

The apex Ndigbo Muslim group, the South Eastern Muslims Organisation of Nigeria (SEMON), congratulated their Christian counterparts in the country and particularly in the South East on the occasion of this year’s Christmas.

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SEMON, in a statement signed by the national chairman and national secretary, Muhammad Ajah Jr. and Abdurrahman Urama, respectively, said it was heart-warming to rejoice with the Igbo Christians who regard Christmas as an integral part of their belief.

It urged the Igbo nation to come together, tolerate one another and push forward without discrimination to reflect the true teachings of Jesus Christ.

The group congratulated Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State), Willie Obiano (Anambra state), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi State), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo State) and reminded them of “the divine hand” in the success they had recorded for their respective states in the past three years and seven months of their leaderships.”

It called on all Christians in Nigeria to imbibe the true gospel of Christ and to live with their Muslim compatriots in peace, urging priests in charge of congregations to be influenced by the spirit of love, unity and progress in their preaching in the interest of the nation.

According to SEMON, this is a very important period for Christian leaders to impress on their followers to think Nigeria first and share love among the citizenry.

“We, first and foremost, heartily rejoice with our own brothers and sisters of the Igbo nation who are celebrating Christmas. It is a period of reflection, a period to share love, a period to plan for the future and a period to extend the spirit of tolerance and conviviality.

“All the conventional great religions of the world, Christianity and Islam, are from one source – Abraham. If only the followers of these two great religions can understand this fact, there will be no need to fight and kill one another on religious cause which has turned out to be the most dangerous and volatile weapon against mankind.

“Christians and Muslims have no reason to antagonise each other because the originators of their beliefs were blood brothers sent by the Almighty God to bring mankind close to Him.

“We use the opportunity to also felicitate with the vice-president of Nigeria and his family, our governors of the South East and their families, and all Christians of Nigeria and the world for Christmas Day.

“We wish our Igbo Christians greater days ahead. We hope for a strong unity between Christians and Muslims of the Igbo nation for reformation, reintegration and redirection towards the Igbo collective interest in Nigeria,” the organisation said.