Stakeholders At A Multi Faith Summit Harp On Religious Tolerance

Concerns about religious persecution on a global scale took center stage at a multi-faith summit promoting religious freedom and security in Nigeria.

At the occasion in Abuja, the Chair of International Religious Freedom, Kyle Abts said the summit brought together diverse individuals with unique personal and political backgrounds, forming an unexpected alliance to explore solutions to enable nations to practice their faith freely.

He stated that this focus became necessary due to several crises experienced in Nigeria, where the root cause of most issues have been traced to religious intolerance.

According to Abts “This one-day event was carefully put together to discuss crucial issues around religious freedom, peace, security and stability in Nigeria. We implore you to share your insightful experiences from across the various parts of Nigeria as it is a time of reflecting, listening and learning, to build new bridges and alliances, and commence an advocacy for achieving peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.”

Also the co-convener of the summit, Gloria Samdi, noted that over the past decade, religious violence has reached unprecedented levels, manifesting in different forms of insecurity in Nigeria.

She emphasized that the summit aimed at establishing a potent coalition to shed light on the challenges faced by the persecuted and to seek effective solutions.

“Freedom of religion, conscience and belief is a fundamental human right”.

“It is estimated that almost eighty percent of the world’s population live in countries that impose significant restrictions on their expression of faith or beliefs”.

In their separate remarks, representatives of the Federation of Muslim Women, Mrs. Fatima Sumaye and the Women wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Mrs Elizabeth Akinadewo stated that their organizations were adopting new strategies to educate young children to ensure that future generations will champion the course of peace in Nigeria.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji