More than 50 Muslim and Christian leaders have signed an interfaith peace accord in Abuja, launching a new body to promote religious harmony across Nigeria.
Nigeria’s more than 200 million population is roughly evenly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south, with other groups practicing traditional religions.
The government last year denied a claim by US President Donald Trump that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in the West African nation.
Claims of “Christian mass murder” in the country have in the past been denounced as false by experts who say that conflicts there have killed both Christians and Muslims without distinction.
No mention was made of Trump’s comments in the official statements about the accord signed on Wednesday at a conference organised by the Muslim World League, an Islamic non-governmental organisation based in Saudi Arabia.
‘Turn a new page’
But the government and various other groups have been working to show progress on security since his remarks.
Muslim World League Secretary-General Mohammad Al-Issa said there was enthusiasm among the two faiths to “turn a new page”.
“We do not deny that extremist ideas have harmed everyone; all have been affected by it,” he said.
Christian and Muslim leaders from Nigeria described the pact as a turning point.
John Praise Daniel, chairman of the Northern Christian Religious Leaders’ Assembly, said he hoped it would curb divisive rhetoric by clerics.
“No hate speech, and no disrespect for other religious groups, no calling of people as infidels,” he said.
‘Working together’
Khalid Abubakar, secretary-general of Jama’atu Nasri Islam, said: “It is not a call to leave your own religion, but a cooperation of working together in harmony.”
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin represented President Bola Tinubu at the signing ceremony. Three northern state governors were also present.
Jibrin said on the opening day of the two-day event: “The government is determined to make sure that we remain united as a country, despite our differences, whatever the differences may be.”
