We all have a role model in Jesus Christ —NSCIA

THE Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged all Nigerians to emulate Jesus Christ in whom, it said, “we all, Christians and Muslims alike, have a role model, an exemplar and a symbol of our commonality as a people of faith.”

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The NSCIA, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, made the plea in a statement by the Deputy Secretary-General of the organisation, Professor Salisu Shehu, on behalf of the Nigerian Muslim ummah on the occasion of 2018 Christmas.

The organisation also asked Nigerians to follow in the footsteps of other true prophets of God for renewed faithfulness, sincerity, righteousness, love and forgiveness.

It felicitated with “our Christian compatriots on the occasion of 2018 Christmas,” saying “as you celebrate this important milestone of high spiritual import, the Muslim community wishes you God’s guidance and abundant blessings embedded in the festive season.”

According to the NSCIA, the occasion of the commemoration of the birth of Jesus (PBUH) “provides us another opportunity of thank God for His blessings to us a nation and to renew our prayers for the restoration of peace and security to all parts of our dear country.

“As you pray and celebrate, we join you in prayers as we beseech the Almighty God to make Nigeria overcome her current challenges and grant us peaceful, successful, fair and credible elections in the coming months.”

It described Prophet ‘Isa or Jesus as one of the top-ranking Prophets of God that all Muslims venerate, noting that his name is mentioned more than 25 times in the Qur’an.

“Though his personality or divinity may be viewed differently by the teeming adherents of Christianity and Islam, the fact remains that in Jesus Christ, all of us, Christians and Muslims alike, have a role model, an exemplar and a symbol of our commonality as a people of faith.

“As millions of Christians in our country mark the birth of Jesus (PBUH), we pray that the occasion engender a new beginning of faithfulness, sincerity, righteousness, love, forgiveness and other virtues that he represents in our country. We indeed urge all Nigerians to emulate him and other true Prophets of God.

“Once again, on behalf of the entire Muslim ummah, accept our hearty felicitations and sincere season’s greetings,” the organisation added.