From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Islamic scholars in Kaduna State have honoured Pastor Dr Yohanna Buru for his 25 years of promoting religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Madarasatul Sheikh Usman Muhammad Mai Mota Gwalli, Sheikh Usman Muhammad Mai Mota Gwalli, led a delegation of Muslim scholars to Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry at Bagyi Villa, Kaduna, where Pastor Buru was conferred with the title “Jagoran Zaman Lafiyar Arewacin Nigeria.”
Speaking during the visit, Sheikh Usman said the delegation honoured the cleric in recognition of his contributions to promoting peace, forgiveness, unity and understanding among people of different religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
He said Pastor Buru’s commitment to interfaith relations had helped strengthen peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Kaduna State and beyond.
The Islamic leader also noted that Pastor Buru had received international recognition for his peacebuilding efforts, including an award associated with the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week presented by King Abdullah II of Jordan.
In his response, Pastor Buru thanked the delegation for the honour, describing it as an encouragement to sustain his efforts towards promoting peace and unity.
He said his 25-year peacebuilding journey had involved travelling to different countries to learn how people of diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds coexist peacefully.
According to him, lessons from those experiences had informed his initiatives to encourage dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful relationships among communities in Nigeria.
Pastor Buru disclosed that he had trained hundreds of young peace ambassadors across the 19 northern states to promote religious tolerance, prevent conflicts and encourage peaceful coexistence at the grassroots.
He described the ambassadors as important stakeholders in sustaining peace and strengthening relationships between religious communities.
The cleric, who has received more than 20 peace and humanitarian awards, called on Muslims and Christians to respect one another’s religious beliefs and work together towards a peaceful and united Nigeria.
He stressed that religious and cultural differences should not be sources of division but opportunities to promote mutual understanding, tolerance and national unity.