Oristejafor’s group hails Mutallab for handing over son

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A group, Think-Nigeria Christian/Muslim Initiative has sought for inter religious harmony amongst Nigerians and urged parents to emulate mulch-millionaire businessman, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, who turned his son Farouk to the authorities when he became radicalized.

The group, an initiative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and Dr. Abdul Ahmad Isiaq, designed to re-direct the focus of Nigerians towards the attainment of a greater Nigeria, also called on parents to pay more attention to their children and wards, in order to protect them from activities of religious extremists.

Farouk was currently, serving a jail term in USA for attempting to blow up a plane in Detroit and had since been referred to as the ‘underwear bomber’.

Speaking in Kaduna, during a two-day regional conference of the Think-Nigeria Christian/Muslim Initiative, the group also urged the Muslim and Christian communities in Nigeria to strive hard to preserve the unity of Nigeria, by living in peace and harmony.

In the communiqué read at the end of the programme, participants described Nigeria as belonging to both Christians and Muslims and admonished adherents of the two religions to preserve the nation’s unity.

According to the communiqué, “Nigeria is currently in trying moments and all efforts must be made by the two religions in support of the government to defeat the insurgency.

“The fact that Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) lived and interacted with non-Muslims peacefully should be emulated by Nigerian Muslims, while Christians should also imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ in harmonious and peaceful relationship with others.

“Christianity and Islam have their root from Prophet Abraham. Therefore, both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria must engage and embrace one another as brothers and sisters.