At a time when the 21st century is gradually unfolding with so many scary realities of war and threats, toxic ideologies that are both religious and sometimes secular, ideologies capable of dissolving the world into ashes and flashes of history, Nigeria has had its fair share of such bellicose moments in the name of God and religion.
Such is the case within the ecclesial territory of the Catholic diocese of Sokoto in Nigeria, the ancestral home of the Hausa-Christian population of Katsina State.
It is a history of marginalization in the hands of their Muslim counterparts who are in the majority, wield the political powers and as such control the state resources almost in an exclusive fashion.
At every level dialogue between Christians and Muslims exists, but over last weekend, the Muslim community of Kanya, Sabuwar Kasa and Gozaki decided to concretize this dialogue by sending their representatives to welcome in Church the Catholic Bishop of the diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, when he visited Malumfashi Deanery, one the five deaneries in the diocese.
The sight of those three men calmly seated in Church was too powerful a message of peace and brotherhood.
This is a rear moment in the history of Northern Nigeria, moments that will make many to say like Martin Luther king: “I have a dream,” that one day Christians will be free to enter the Mosque to pray and Muslims will enter the Church to pray; that one day jobs and opportunities of politics and appointments will not be on the basis of religion but on merits and competence.
These representatives of the Muslim community did not end their visit in Church, but led the Church leaders to the Palace of the Hakimi, the traditional Ruler, who was equally trilled at the entire camaraderie.
During the celebration of Holy Mass, over 100 young people received the Sacrament of confirmation. These will now serve as foot soldiers who will now bear witness to the Gospel of Christ.
CANAA
