Members of an Islamic group, Shi’ites, yesterday, joined Christians at a Christmas service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, to strengthen religious harmony and unity between religious groups.
Leader of the Shi’ite group, Isah-Hassan Mshelgaru, said it acknowledged Christmas as a day for festivities, friendliness and unity.
He added that joining Christian faithful as they marked Christmas was meant to renew hope for divine unity among Muslims, Christians and other religions.
Mshelgaru said Islam and Christianity were revered faiths with more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s population as adherents. “When other faithful unite with the two faith groups, it means the whole of Nigerian is united.’’
On the impact of the visit, Mshelgaru said as a group, it started visits to churches more than 25 years ago and since then, there had been improved understanding between the group and Christians.
“The visit has reduced the fears and some animosities between the two faith groups. They (Christians) are now open to us; we share sentiments and problems together.
“The regular exchange of visits has bridged the gaps between us,’’ he said.
Earlier, the parish priest, Isak Augustine, commended the Islamic group for the visit and urged the group for more visits to strengthen religious harmony and unity.
He prayed for the peace of God to come into Nigeria and to salvage the country from a myriad of socio-economic challenges.
The Shi’ite group later presented gifts to the Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, the President of Imo Baptist Conference, Uzoma Uzoeshi, has lamented that the true meaning of Christmas has been perverted from what it originally meant to mundane and mischievous celebrations.
He said Christmas is God’s promise fulfilled in the birth of His son. Uzoeshi, in his sermon, said Jesus Christ is the heart of Christmas and not the other way round.
“The central focus and significant meaning of Christmas is defined in the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Saviour of the world. In other words, Jesus Christ is the heart of Christmas. The heart of Christmas manifests in six fold virtues: Righteousness, Peace, Joy, Hope, Faith and Love.
“Jesus is God’s promise fulfilled, and that truth should give us hope even in the darkest of nights. The birth of Christ, the heart of Christmas, speaks hope to our hearts. It renews our hope and helps us grow in faith and focus on the reason for the season. The heart of Christmas is the beginning of hope for eternity.
“Jesus’ birth brought the hope the world needs. Therefore, God’s presence has come to give us hope, and Jesus has come to provide us with that hope in our country, Nigeria, and society. Hope in the birth of the Saviour is the bedrock and lifeline for Christmas celebrations.
“God’s faithfulness gives us true abiding hope for the present and future expectations. The promise of the birth of Jesus came to pass. And the fulfilment of Christ’s birth is an assurance for eternal hope and life. Jesus, as the Light to the world, brings hope to the world of darkness and to the depressed and sinful heart. This heart of Christmas radiates hope with great anticipation and fulfilment. It radiates hope for our country, Nigeria, in this critical and difficult time.”
The cleric said while the presence of darkness (terrorism, banditry, ‘unknown’ gun-men, corruption, hardship, bad leadership, killings, kidnapping, poor health and other vices) threaten our hope of well-living and peaceful co-existence. But, the good news is that Jesus Christ is the only hope of salvation.
“Looking at the world at large and Nigeria, in particular today, one might see the world of hopelessness. But the good news is that Jesus Christ is the only hope of salvation and peace for the world and has been born to give us that hope of salvation.
“In Him there is hope. As revealed in the book of Prophet Isaiah, God’s word promises hope, restoration and eternal life. The heart of Christmas radiates the light of hope. Isaiah reveals that ‘the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; … and increased their joy;… For to us a child is born, a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”