Taraba Youth Group Moves To Strengthen Religious Tolerance In Nigeria

The Youth and Young Adult Ministry of Southern Nigeria Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN), in Taraba State on Monday held an interreligious dialogue summit to end religious differences among faiths in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the 2022 Youth Summit with the theme ‘Promoting Inclusive Interreligious Harmony Among Religious Faith Groups through Interreligious Dialogue (IRD), featured youth groups like, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria, Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria and others.

Mr Bulus Audi Daniel, leader of the group told the congregation that the idea became necessary following the recent tensions between Christians and Muslims in Taraba, and the alleged incitement of violence by some clerics in other states of the country.

He noted that the dialogue was targeted at creating awareness on the need to live as one Nigeria and encourage religious tolerance for peaceful coexistence and development especially ahead of the 2023 election.

“We need to create synergy between Christian and Muslim youth, we need to build peace and sensitize our young people using the religious platform to also contribute to the development of our state Taraba and Nigeria.

“I want to encourage you to take advantage of this summit, think of ways to change the present narrative that would create a more robust relationship between the two leading religious sects in our state. It is important that we step down our message of peace to the grassroots, even as we continue to encourage governments at all levels to create policies aimed at fostering unity among the two religions” Bulus admonished.

Dr. Aliyu Nbiko who spoke for the Muslim youth group, called for the Promotion of inclusive interreligious harmony among religious faith groups.

He noted that the dialogue would improve enlightenment on religious tolerance perspective and promised to step down the message to their people as ambassadors of religious harmony in the state and Nigeria at large.