By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
Muslim and Christian women under the auspices of Women Interfaith Council (WIC) has held what it called ‘solidarity prayer’ for killings across the country to seek the face and intervention of God.
Address the congregation at the solidarity prayed held in Kaduna on Friday, the Protestant Chaplain of 1 Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army, Colonel Venerable Mairiga Gwom said women were the vanguard of enshrining peaceful coexistence in any society.
According to him, women should assume their responsibility as mothers and be at the fore front on the course towards actualizing peaceful coexistence, adding that the prayer is apt.
Colonel Venerable Gwom also informed that in as much as he is Military personnel, prayer will make their lighter for the security agencies which is why the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Mohammed Mohammed deep it necessary that he should be on ground.
“My concerned, the prayer is apt and l think it come at the right time. In as much as l am a military personnel, it means that with prayer, you will make the job lighter for the security agencies and that is why the General Officer Commanding 11 Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army deep it necessary that we should be here because there is nothing we can do without prayers” he stressed.
The Protestant Chaplain however commended the Women Interfaith Council for their effort and contribution to the nation building through praying of peace, working for peace and leaving for peace.
He lamented that if there is peace, there would be development in any nation but without peace there would be disaster, crisis, poverty, mayhem and turbulence.
Colonel Venerable Gwom therefore prayed for Kaduna State and the Nigeria in general to witness peace being prayed for today, saying the insecurity in the country, if all will put their heads together, then everyone will be free to move from place to another.
Also contributing, The Deputy Director, Islamic Affairs 1 Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army, Colonel Mohammed Awwal noted that the unfolding events across the country particularly security challenges called for attitudinal change and unity amongst both Christians and Muslims.
According to him, the ugly development affects all and sundry irrespective of ones faith as such, it is the responsibility of all to reverse the ugly trend through prayers.
“This program is organized by our mothers to come and pray for our country Nigeria as we all know what is going on and l am happy that the program was timely as 2019 election is approaching. So the prayers are very important to all Nigerians” he said.
Earlier, Chairperson of the Council, Hajiya Amina Kazaure said the group wants to educate women especially in their role towards complementing peace initiatives in the state and country at large.
“Women Interfaith Council annually organized prayer meeting so that we can come together and pray for our nation, leaders, the youth and all the challenges the country is facing.
“Part of this prayer is for people to change from their negativity to positivist as we need God intervention to touch the hearts of the evil doers to change. So prayer is the key in whatever we are doing. We need to pray to get God to accept it and change the heart of the people that are relevant in making the change.
“So we believed that as we go closer to the communities, we discussion together, pray together, we consoled them and tell them the ills and implication of the continues killing so that they can also talk to their husband, their children and youths so that they will know that it does not pay when communities, states and the nation go into crises” she affirm.
In her remark, the Executive Director of the Council, Reverend Sister Anne Falola said the forum which constituted over 30 Muslim and Christian organizations was concerned with fighting common concerns of women.
She said the Council advocates for women participation in activities aimed at peaceful coexistence, organize training workshops for women on awareness on women issues, and reach out to farmers and other groups to ensure peaceful coexistence at the community levels.
The event witnessed recitation from the Holy Quran and Bible-reading while prayers were offered for the peaceful coexistence throughout the Country.
While, the Muslims Co-ordinator of Women Interfaith Council, Hajiya Dalhara Aliyu Ahmed described the prayer as a wonderful gathering, their main function is to bring all religion together to see the need of coming together as one for peace is the very key in any national development.
“It is a wonderful initiative, the decision to do the solidarity prayer is to pray over all the troubles in Nigeria and as an Interfaith Association, our main function is to bring all religion together to see the need of coming together as one because peace is the very key in any national development.
“The main focus of the solidarity prayer is to come together as one body irrespective of your religion to pray things that are affecting the society” She ended.
