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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Some Christians in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State over the weekend joined their Muslim counterparts to clear the grass at a mosque used as Eid praying ground during Sallah.
They cleared the grass and got rid of the trash around the premises of the mosque.
Speaking, leader of the Christian volunteers, Daniel Bitrus, said they did it to promote tolerance and religious harmony.
Bitrus, who noted that the exercise lasted for two days, said: “We came here to support our brothers towards cutting down the grass and to also clear the dirt in the mosque and its surrounding, with the aim of promoting peace and unity.”
“The exercise, which lasted for two days- Saturday and Sunday- enabled many Christians and Muslims to dialogue, exchange hand of friendship and talk on better ways to promote religious tolerance and better understanding among the adherents of the two religions.
“We hope to continue doing this every year to promote religious tolerance in the area,” he added.
Also speaking,the Secretary, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Kachia Local Government chapter, Mallam Ibrahim Tasiu, expressed delight over the large turnout of Christians during the exercise.
He added that the Christian youths got to the Eid praying ground for the exercise before the Muslim youths.
Tasiu commended the gesture, adding that it is the first of its kind in the history of Kachia Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna, which had experienced ethno-religious crisis.
The JNI secretary called on Muslims and Christians to live in peace and harmony.
(Daily Trust)