By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem
Based on the turmoil, conflicts, natural disasters and human-made calamities befalling mankind across the globe, peace is seemingly the scarcest commodity, yet the most important in the world today. Real, sustainable peace has also been described by some social scientists as the presence of justice while lack of peace has been traced to a situation of injustice. To these scholars, any peace that exists without justice can only be cosmetic, temporary and unsustainable… Nigeria is not anyway disconnected from this sad, global reality.
The fact that peace cannot stand or endure without justice must of course have influenced the decision of the leaders of the Ahamdiyya Muslim Jama’at (Northern Region) to choose: “Justice and National Peace: The Role of Religion,” as the theme of this year’s National Peace Symposium, the third in the series.
Fully aware that all Nigerians cannot leave all their problems on the doorstep of government, Ahamdiyya Muslim Jama’at has over the years provided a veritable platform for all stakeholders – religious leaders, politicians, security men, media professionals, youths and women groups etc to dialogue on how the country can ensure justice , attain peace and move forward. Most importantly, the group provides a platform for all religious groups to discuss how we can ensure less rancour and inter-religious harmony in the society. In doing this, the group invites and decorates people from all religions and sects to ensure balanced views are generated. If there is one society which deserves an award for the level of inter-religious cooperation Nigeria has attained today, it is the Ahamdiyya Muslim Jama’at.
Vice President Yemi Osibajo, Speaker of the House of Representatives ,Yakubu Dogora, former Head of State, General Abdul Salami Abubakar, His Eminence Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, prominent lawyer, Mallam Yusuf Alli (SAN) and His Grace Most Reverend Oche Job of the Methodist Cathedral were expected to attend the historic event held at the International Conference Centre Abuja, between Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th March 2018. Some of them however sent powerful emissaries to represent them
The three-day programme featured a National Peace Award, Peace related lectures from all religions which was moderated by the Director News Nigerian Television Authority , Aliyu Baba Barau Mallam.
In his keynote address, the Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Osinbajo urged religious leaders to promote peace in their sermons to the adherents for positive change. He reinstated government’s commitment in ensuring justice and equality in discharging its role to its citizens.
Osinbajo argued that the country’s problems are not necessarily religious but can be tackled by religious leaders by emphasizing in their sermons those core values that bind the people together as a nation and deemphasizing those issues that divide the people.
He used the occasion to reject the accusation against the federal government of any form of bias or favoritism towards any group of Nigerians , adding that the administration is committed to serving all Nigerians irrespective of where they come from.
Also speaking, the president of the group, Dr Mashood Fashola, said religion is not the cause of the country’s social and economic challenges but blamed long years of poor leadership for the sorry state of the nation.
“Religion preaches peace and tolerance as well as adherence to rules but greedy, corrupt but powerful people in the society are the ones who subvert the process for selfish gains,” he said.
In his contribution, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr Samson Ayokunle who was represented by Dr Samuel Olanrewaju called on the federal government to halt the alleged marginalization and persecution of Christians in the country in the interest equity and justice and to ensure lasting peace in the land.
The event brought together dignitaries from all walks of life and all leaders of various religious groups in Nigeria agreed that equality and tolerance were vital keys that could foster peace.
Three other papers were presented in the course of the three-day event. They were ‘The Objective of the Advent of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi’ by Missionary Lukman Shoretire. The second paper was on ‘Khilafat in Islam; Reformation and Source of World Peace’ by Barrister Bashirudeen BADR Muhammed, while the third paper was on the ‘Importance of Obedience to Khilafat Ahmadiyya and Nisaam-i-Jamaat’ which was presented Barrister Abdul qadeer Mustapha.
A health talk on ‘Managing the Old Age’ was presented by Dr Ahmad Mudassar of Ahmadiyya Hospital in Kano. Special night prayers session –Tahajjud was also be held for ‘Peace and National development of Nigeria.’ Tour of the exhibition stand was conducted by Dr Fasola.
The highlight of the event however was the honour bestowed on lawyer, philanthropist and human rights crusader, Mallam Yusuf Alli (SAN) as the 2017 National Peace Award recipient. He was honoured for his selfless contributions to the attainment of peace and justice in the country.
In receiving the honour, Alli followed the footsteps of Archbishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, (rtd) who won the prestigious awards in 2017 and 2016 respectively.