Police Minister unviels roles of Religion in Peace Building
The Honorable Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi has called for continuous peaceful co-existence amongst Christians and Muslims for the country to move forward.. Speaking in Abuja on Monday, 18th November 2019, when he welcomed delegates from the Centre for Qur’anic Reciters of Nigeria, led by Aliyu Salihu Turaki who were on a courtesy call to the Ministry, Dingyadi lauded the effort of the center in maintaining peace, progress and unity in the country, which he said is of interest to the present administration of President Muhammad Buhari.
Dingyadi commended the ability to recite the Quaran off hand being promoted by the center, saying, “the importance of the reciters cannot go unnoticed and we will do everything to ensure that we work together to fight disunity which breeds insecurity”. The Permanent Secretary, Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri in his remarks said that the center has helped to build faith, knowledge and harmonize relationship amongst different religion through their work which is worthy of emulation. Mbaeri encouraged the delegates to keep up the good work and the need to open more centers asides the 20 centers in existence. He said the ministry will support their course in the quest to maintain peace and unity in the country.
Speaking earlier, the President, Center for Qur’anic Reciters of Nigeria, Gwani Aliyu Salihu Turaki said, “our cardinal objective is fostering peace and harmony among Nigerians of all faiths, in line with the teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam, we encourage and deepen friendships between Muslims and Christians and we have never been known to have issued any statement castigating Christianity or adherents of any faith”.
Gwani stated that the center partners with security agencies, especially the Police, in fostering peaceful co-existence. “we played a key role in partnering with the authorities to ensure kano for example, a state that was years ago known as volatile religiously, has become a haven of peace that welcomes all and sundry. No longer does kano erupt violence as a result of reprisal killings or for any reason to do with religion’, he said.
The Centers President noted with dismay that one of the major issues that have serious potential for security breakdown is that of “almajiranci’, stressing that “in truth, the real almajiri will never constitute a threat to anyone. They are learned and cultured”.
Speaking on how the center is funded, Gwani revealed that the members tax themselves whenever an issue seeking collective solution is identified, “we do not draw funding from any country or any other group”, he however expressed hope saying, “together with the security agencies, especially the Nigerian police, we will contribute even more in entrenching the Nigeria of our collective dreams, where peace, harmony and tolerance will govern everyday life”.
Odutayo Oluseyi
Head Media and Chief Press secretary
