Helping Those Jailed for Minor Offenses
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Church of Christ Evangelical and Life Intercessory Ministry in Sabon Tasha, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, distributed food items to over 1,000 underprivileged Muslims and Islamic schools on Friday morning, marking the beginning of the 30-day Ramadan fasting period. The distribution was aimed at promoting peace, unity, and solidarity within the community.
Food items, including bags of maize, millet, plastic kettles, and prayer mats, were given mainly to Almajiri, beggars, and members of the Association of Persons with Disabilities at the Kano Road Central Mosque in Kaduna. The donations are part of the church’s long-standing Ramadan tradition of supporting disadvantaged Muslims across northern Nigeria.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of the church, explained that this initiative has been a consistent effort for the past 19 years, helping Muslims prepare for the fasting period. The church targets over 1,000 Muslims and Tsangaya Islamic schools annually with foodstuffs, aiming to ease the impact of the naira redesign, fuel scarcity, and rising food prices on the poor.
The pastor emphasized that the distribution was also intended to promote peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in the region. “We are also reciprocating the kindness of Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, a Muslim woman who regularly donates rice, cash, and new clothes for the church’s widows and orphans during Christmas, New Year, and Easter,” he noted.
This year, the church also included prayer mats and plastic kettles in the donation to encourage recipients to pray for peace and stability, especially in light of growing insecurity and economic challenges. The church has also been active in helping Muslim prisoners, particularly those jailed for minor offenses, allowing them to spend Ramadan with their families.
“We have purchased 30 bags of maize and millet for distribution, starting today,” Pastor Buru shared, encouraging well-meaning individuals to support the less privileged and calling on traders to refrain from price gouging during Ramadan.
Mallam Hassan Lawal, leader of the Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in Kaduna, expressed deep gratitude for the church’s ongoing support, noting that the church’s assistance has been invaluable for the past 19 years. He also urged wealthy Muslims to provide support to help the less privileged stay home and pray for the nation during Ramadan.
Similarly, Mallam Tukur Zubairu, leader of the Blind Persons Association in Kaduna, thanked the church for its continuous support during Ramadan. Imam Ibrahim Musa, leader of Tsangaya Islamic schools in Kaduna, also expressed his gratitude, emphasizing the importance of the church’s donations to their students during the fasting period.
