KADUNA — In a enduring display of religious coexistence, a Christian church in Kaduna has extended its annual Ramadan support to the Muslim community, distributing food items to over 1,000 beneficiaries including Islamic school students and internally displaced persons.
The Church of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, located in Sabon Tasha, carried out the distribution at Kano Road Central Mosque on Tuesday, reinforcing a two-decade tradition of interfaith generosity.
“Strengthening Peace and Unity”
General Overseer Pastor (Dr) Yohanna Buru explained that the initiative is designed to foster harmony and shared purpose across religious lines in a state that has experienced periodic communal tensions.
“This year, we are providing foodstuffs for the less privileged throughout the 30-day fasting and prayer period,” Buru stated. “Every year, we also include mats and plastic kettles, urging beneficiaries to pray at home for an end to insecurity, high inflation, and other challenges affecting our country.”
The church’s support extends beyond food distribution. Buru noted that Muslim prisoners are routinely bailed out each Ramadan so they can observe the fast with their families—a practice that underscores the ministry’s holistic approach to humanitarian assistance.
Addressing Broader Economic Challenges
With food prices soaring across Nigeria, Buru revealed that he has mobilized 50 volunteer pastors and imams for a seven-day engagement with market traders aimed at persuading them to moderate prices.
This direct market intervention reflects growing concern among religious leaders about the impact of inflation on vulnerable populations, particularly during periods of intensified religious observance like Ramadan when food expenses typically rise.
A Model of Coexistence
For two decades, the church has consistently supported underprivileged Muslims and Tsangaya Islamic schools across northern Nigeria with rice, maize, and other staples. The longevity of the programme speaks to deep-rooted relationships built across faith communities.
Recipients at the Kano Road Central Mosque expressed gratitude for the gesture, which they noted comes at a time of economic hardship. The food supplies are expected to sustain many families throughout the 30-day fasting period.
Pastor Buru framed the initiative as both humanitarian obligation and spiritual practice. “We encourage beneficiaries to pray for national peace and stability,” he said, emphasizing that the church seeks not merely to provide material support but to strengthen the fabric of communal life in Kaduna State.
In an era where religious differences are often exploited to sow division, the annual Ramadan distribution stands as a counter-narrative—one church’s quiet but consistent witness to the possibility of harmonious coexistence.
