Plateau Killings: Muslim, Christian Communities Preach Peace

In a bid to ease tension in Jos, the Plateau State capital, Muslim and Christian communities of Gangare and Shaka have met to strengthen peace and stability between them.

The meeting between the two communities was held on Thursday, when Muslims from Gangare visited Shaka community, a Christian dominated area, to thank its leaders for saving the life of a Muslim scavenger, when irate youths from the community attempted to kill him on Wednesday.

According to the Muslim community, Shaka community leaders and their youths have played a great role in ensuring that the Muslim scavenger was protected and subsequently handed over to members of the Gangare community.

Speaking during the visit, one of the leaders from the Muslim community, Ibrahim Kabir, said, “The purpose of the visits is to show our gratitude to the leadership of the Shaka community because of the rescue of a member of our community. The leaders in the community used their wisdom to save the boy and bring him back home.

“That is why, as community leaders, we came here to show our appreciation to their leaders. I remember even in our Gangare community, some Christian women were saved there. Gangare leaders trooped to the junction, a flashpoint, to stop irate youths from attacking Christians. We call on other people to emulate,” Kabir added.

Responding, the traditional leader of the Shaka community, Da John Rwang Gyang, said, “Everyone was created from Adam and Eve. If we understand that, we are all one. So, they came to thank us for rescuing one of their members who was beaten by unknown people. With the community leaders and youths, we were able to rescue him.

“We appreciate their coming. This land belongs to God, and we don’t want anybody to spill someone’s blood on this land. We don’t want to see a crisis around us. No religion says you should kill someone who is not from your faith. It is a good thing to live together,” he added.

Both leaders of the communities preached peace and called on youth to always remain calm and law abiding.(daily trust)