By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
In commemoration of United Nation World International tolerance Day 2024, the Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry Church in Kaduna has made a significant contribution to local Almajiri schools, donating Arabic reading slates, pens, ink and other educational materials.
This gesture is aimed to support the education of Muslim children and foster peaceful coexistence between Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of the Church, who led the donation on Tuesday, emphasized the importance of religious tolerance, love and unity, a statement released in Kaduna has stressed.
“This initiative is driven by our desire to promote peace and understanding among Muslims and Christians,” Pastor Buru explained.
For the past decade, the church has distributed Arabic learning materials to various Islamic schools across northern Nigeria, it stated.
“These efforts, including the donation of writing materials and stationary, are designed to strengthen the culture of Arabic literacy among Almajiri students”, it added.
Pastor Buru also recalled the kindness of Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, a Muslim woman who once donated over 50 Bibles to the church, as well as food and clothing to Christian widows and orphans during the holiday season.
“Her generosity is an example of the mutual respect and support we should foster between our communities,” he said.
As this marks the 10th year of their support for Almajiri schools, Pastor Buru called on international organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF, as well as the Nigerian government, to further invest in Almajiri education, ensuring that these children have access to the resources they need to succeed.
In 2022, Pastor Buru was honored by King Abdullah of Jordan for winning the United Nations’ International Interfaith Week and Harmony award, recognizing his tireless efforts toward fostering interfaith dialogue.
Imam Ibrahim Musa, an Islamic scholar at Tsangaya School in Mashigi-Hayin Kogi, Kaduna, praised the initiative, calling it “a crucial step toward building unity, peace, and understanding.”
He also recalled how, Pastor Buru and his team honored the school’s best student, who had memorized the entire Qur’an, three years ago. In addition, the church has previously provided the school with blackboards and other learning tools to improve the education of Almajiri students.
Speaking, lmam Musa expressed his gratitude to Pastor Buru’s ongoing support, saying, “We are thankful for this consistent effort to uplift our community and strengthen the ties between Muslims and Christians.”
World Tolerance Day, celebrated annually on November 16th, is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of peace, mutual respect, and understanding in all communities.
