Pope Benedict XVI: Nigerian Muslim Scholars React To Catholic Cleric’s Death

A group of Nigerian Muslim scholars have reacted to the demise of the Catholic Church’s cleric, Pope Benedict XVI.

Naija News had reported earlier that the former pope died on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at age 95.

Ahead of the final burial ceremony of the clergyman, Muslim Scholars from Nigeria, led by Gambo Barnawa commiserated with the Christian community worldwide.

The Muslim religious leaders extended their condolences to the Benedict family, the Catholic family and the entire Christian community when they paid a New Year’s visit to the General Overseer of Christ Angelical and Life intervention Ministry, Yohanna Buru, in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State.

During the visit, Barnawa acknowledged that the late Pope took advantage of his living to preach peace and promote tolerance.

“He spent his life praying and preaching peace all over the globe while promoting tolerance and forgiveness to all mankind, irrespective of tribe, culture, religion, race and ethnic background,” stated the Muslim scholar. “The world cannot forget the contributions of Pope Benedict XVI preaching peace, love, tolerance and forgiveness among all mankind,” Barnawa said.

According to him, he saw Benedict in many Arabs and Asian countries with top Islamic scholars, Christians and world leaders preaching peace, harmony and forgiveness.

“The world will never forget him for his marvellous contributions towards promoting peace-building and inter-religious tolerance for world peace,” he added.

On his part, an inter-faith specialist in Nigeria, the president of the Foundation for the Protection of Women and Children in Nigeria, Ramatu Tijjani, paid tributes to the late pope.

She said the world had lost a great leader who taught many people across the globe the importance of tolerance and forgiveness.

Tijjani applauded the pope for his massive contributions towards promoting inter-religious and world inter-faith mediation and dialogue as a solution, condoling with Christians over the death of the ex-pope.

She encouraged Muslims and Christians to always live in peace and harmony, reminding them that everyone is one family under God, “from Adam and Eve.”