UFUK Dialogue, a Non-Governmental Organisation based in Abuja, recently hosted both Muslims and their Christian folks to an Iftar (Muslim breaking of fast), and also singled out some individuals for awards, for their role in ensuring peace across all divides. ABDULRAHMAN A. ABDULRAUF was there.
Peace is a sine qua non for development. Without peace, it is often said there can’t be development and also, without development, there can’t be peace.
These two intertwine for the world to run smoothly. World over, peace, an all-important five- letter word, is fast becoming elusive, and this should be a major concern for all, irrespective of colour, religion or race.
And as a matter of concern, UFUK Dialogue, a Non-Governmental Organisation, seated in Abuja, is not relenting in ensuring the need for peaceful and harmonious inter-faith and inter-cultural relationship among all. And to give its activity the necessary bite, the group hosted important personalities, cutting across faith, race and culture to an Iftar dinner last Wednesday. The event also witnessed the recognition of some individuals for their contribution to the process of achieving peace.
The multitude and quality of the crowd that gathered at the Ladi Kwali Hall venue of the Iftar and Ufuk Dialogue 5th Dialogue and Peace Awards ceremony, really underscored the significance of the event.
The event had in attendance wife of the Kebbi state governor, Hajia Zainab Bagudu, representing wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, religious leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, respected Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Lemu, revered Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onayekan leading the Christian clerics, representatives of the Civil Society
Organisations, top media practitioners and others from all walks of life.
The awardees are Sheikh Lemu and His Grace, Most Rev, Oche Job, Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, in the religious category, a popular comedian, Chief Chika Okpala (Chief Zebrudaya) in the arts and culture category, Mohammed Kudu Haruna (Media), the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita Ekanem (Civil service) , and Jalal Arabi, the Permanent Secretary, State House, for the special category.
In the NGO category, Hajiya Salamatu Hussain Sulyman got the award, Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim was conferred with that on women leadership, Saadatu Mahdi received that in the women activist category, Alhaji Umar Mohammed, Sarki Hausa Abuja, Dr. Olusegun Salau , Oba Yoruba in FCT and Dr. Nwosu Ibe, Eze Igbo, Abuja all got the inter-cultural awards, while Charles Edet Ekpe was named recipient of the youth award.
Although, the occasion was not that of speech-making, it nonetheless inspired hope in Nigeria and Nigerians in the search for peace, especially at this critical life of the nation.
Welcoming guests to the colourful gathering, Ufuk Dialogue President, Kamil Kemanchi, gave a background of how the foundation came into being. He said: “The outfit was founded in Abuja, Nigeria to promote dialogue, culture of co-existence , mutual understanding and to establish a common platform aiming at information and opinion exchange.
“Ufuk Dialogue serves to stand by societal peace, love, respect and compassion in support of human dignity and the greater good by striving to preserve the common values of humanity; values such as respect, love and tolerance, peaceful co-existence , knowledge and mutual understanding. Ufuk Dialogue involves the participation of hundreds of local and global individuals who seek to promote peace and dialogue in the world.”
“In dialogue, it is possible to transform conflict into cooperation. For dialogue to succeed, we must forget the past, ignore polemics and focus on our common points. Dialogue and peace have always been and still remain a need , a necessity, a must for us to have a healthy and more productive society.
“The work for peace needs a dimension that goes beyond any ideology, political systems, super power, military balance, and above any religious movement or religious authority., ” Kemanchi explained.
Quoting Fethulan Gulen, a Turkey-based scholar and peace proponent from which the group draws its inspiration, he said, “we must consider ourselves human first before we consider our belonging to a religious or cultural tradition.”
Describing peace and stability as a basic prerequisite for human development, the Ufuk leader lamented that “we see conflicts diverting our scarce resources away from development and costing developing countries hundreds of billions of dollars a year.
“We see conflicts making it impossible for people to improve their lives. We see conflicts undermining social trusts, the rule of law and human rights. Everyone in the world wants peace. Even so, why do people repeat wars.
But whatever it costs, we must continue to be a voice for dialogue, mutual understanding , tolerance, love between people of all faith and cultures.”
On the spiritual importance of the event coinciding with the Holy Month of Ramadan, Kemanchi told the gathering that “tonight, we would like to honour the tradition of fasting for Muslims and share the peaceful atmosphere of the month of Ramadan. For all of us, whatever our faith is, Ramadan is a time to be a reminder of just how much we share and how care for others.
“Ramadan is a time of wonder for uniting the people, reminding them the importance of family, community and society through peace and charity.
In Ramadan, we all once more recognise the command to love one another, to uphold social justice and to care for the least among us.”
“In this journey of ours, our motivation comes from faith, humanitarian values and trusting the essence of humanity. So, everyone, let’s cooperate and create a peaceful world desired by every person. Let’s come together and understand each other in empathy,” the group’s president further canvassed.
Also in a message to the event, Gulen heightened the hope of Nigeria being on the path of peace and brighter future. Gulen, who is the founder of Hizmet Movement, a civil society group based inTurkey, observed that “although there have been some recent provocation-based conflicts that appear to be religiously oriented, I hold the belief that, and hope that Nigeria is strongly proceeding towards a peaceful and happy future. Thanks to the broad-minded people like you and the educated generations who view the future with hope.”
Speaking on a larger scale, the ideologue posited that “in our contemporary world, we unfortunately witness persecution, despotism, , oppression, conspiracy , murder and pressure on individuals’ consciences.
“We also, upsettingly watch the felons and felonies who become the cause of associating religions-which are essentially the sources of security and peace- with violence, savagery and terrorism and terrorism. We are troubled with agony as some massacres are committed in the name of religion, and many people are forced to depart from their homes, countries and beloveds.”
He further said that as the situation prevails on a global scale, “dialogue , mutual respect, meeting at universal human values and instilling security for people, have become not a luxury, but a necessity for Nigeria where Islam and Christianity are practiced with their great dynamism.”
While lauding the ‘mixed’ gathering, the renowned thinker noted that “it is beyond any commendation that Muslims, Christians and people from different walks of life gather and share their food at the Iftar dinner and pray to the Almighty together for the peace and future of Nigeria on such an evening of Ramadan.
“ I believe that as this picture of your friendship and fraternity is precious for God, it is also going to be very efficacious for the public as well. The presence and support of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar ,CFR mni, Nigeria and His Eminence John Onaiyekan Cardinal, Archbishop of Abuja, and the other distinguished leaders, have added extra beauty to this wonderful picture. I believe that this breathtaking view will be a very influential means of expressing the significance of values such as dialogue, love for human beings and peaceful coexistence.”
Tolerating and accommodating one another remain the best form of peace. The Ufuk example suffices and initiative such as this , should be encouraged and sustained by all. It is only then, that true and a holistic development can really thrive.