Nigeria’s interfaith harmony was on display on Thursday, as hundreds of Muslims from across the North joined Christians for the annual Christmas service at the Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Kaduna.
The gathering, now in its 15th year, has become a defining symbol of peaceful coexistence between the two faiths in a region long troubled by sectarian tensions.
Pastor Yohanna Buru, the church’s general overseer, said the steadily rising number of Muslim participants showed a deepening commitment to peace and mutual respect. He noted that attendees included members of Tijjaniyya groups, Shi’ites under the Islamic Movement, and Sunni Muslims, all united to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The service took place against a backdrop of insecurity, economic hardship and soaring food prices, which Buru said made interfaith solidarity even more urgent. “We are all children of Adam and Eve. We worship one God and share belief in holy books, paradise and hell. These common values should bring us together,” he said. Muslim delegations also presented gifts to the church as gestures of friendship.
Islamic scholar Sheikh Salihu Mai-Barota said the visit was aimed at promoting tolerance and urging young Nigerians to reject religious violence and misinformation. Imam Ibrahim Musa of Igabi LGA, who congratulated Christians on the celebration, added that Muslims and Christians frequently exchange visits during each other’s religious festivals, strengthening mutual trust.
He described the Kaduna Christmas service as a powerful example of unity that should be replicated nationwide.
Musa also noted that Pastor Buru received the 2022 United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week Award—presented by Jordan’s King Abdullah II—in recognition of his peacebuilding work. Other speakers, including Sheikh Ahmed Rufai and Mallam Lawal Maduru, called for sustained prayers for peace, responsible use of social media, and vigilance against drug abuse among young people.
