Christians distribute food items to Muslims faithfuls at Ramadan
Christians distribute food items to Muslims faithfuls at Ramadan
In a show of religious tolerance and community support, the Church of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry has distributed food items to Muslims, Tsangaya Islamic schools and selected internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kaduna ahead of the Ramadan fast.
The outreach, which took place at the Kano Road Central Mosque in Kaduna, saw bags of rice, maize and other essential items handed out as part of efforts to ease the burden of fasting and reinforce peaceful coexistence among faiths.
Leading the exercise, the church’s General Overseer, Yohanna Buru, said the initiative was designed to deepen interfaith harmony and foster peace in the state.
He explained that for more than two decades, the church has consistently supported vulnerable Muslims and Tsangaya schools across five northern states during Ramadan.
According to him, the annual intervention goes beyond food supplies, noting that prayer mats and plastic kettles are also distributed to beneficiaries. He urged recipients to use the fasting period to pray for peace, stability and relief from insecurity and economic hardship in the country.
“As prices of goods continue to rise, we mobilised about 50 volunteer pastors and imams for a seven-day sensitisation campaign to encourage traders to reduce the cost of food items during Ramadan,” Buru said.
He added that the church also works to facilitate the release of some Muslim inmates every year so they can observe the Ramadan fast with their families.
Buru acknowledged the contribution of a Muslim philanthropist, Ramatu Tijjani, who supports widows and orphans during Christmas and New Year celebrations, describing her gesture as a testament to mutual respect among different faiths.
Reacting to the intervention, the leader of the Association of Persons with Disabilities, Hassan Lawal, praised the church for its consistency and called on wealthy Muslims to support the less privileged during the fasting period.
Similarly, the state leader of the Visually Impaired Association, Tukur Zubairu, said the group has benefited from the church’s food support over the years, praying for divine reward for the organisers.
Speaking for the Tsangaya schools, Ibrahim Musa thanked the church for the assistance and urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture.
Also commenting, the Murshid of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Ilyasu, described the initiative as commendable and reminded affluent Muslims of the importance of giving zakat to the poor, particularly during Ramadan.
