The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has called for collaboration between Muslims and Christians to promote the nation’s peace and progress.
The group made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim.
“As Christians mark the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) felicitates with them and calls on them for sober-reflection on the State of the Nation.
“While congratulating our Christian brethren on this occasion, we Muslims invite them to ‘Let us work Together’ for peace and progress of our beloved Nation – Nigeria.”
This, the group added, could be done by avoiding religious intolerance, fanaticism and acrimony.
“We should both pursue love, affection and spiritual devotion with practical example to justify our believe in God.
“From the History, both Muslims and Christians have been our brothers-keepers for long.
“The event of Abbysinnia (now Ethiopia) where a Christian King called Negus protected the early Muslims that migrated from Makkah remains uncontroversial.
“Also the agreement of the Holy Prophet with the Christians and Jews in Madinah when Prophet Muhammad migrated to Madinah where he sworn to protect the Christians and Jews from any aggression, oppression or victimisation.
“As well as the warm reception he gave to them in his Mosque in Madinah during in visit by a group of Christians – are sure evidences of our long-standing relationship which must be sustained.”
It stated that the present economic situation brought about by corruption, lack of fear of God and materialism should be a matter of serious concern to all irrespective of the religious persuasion as the problem is that of both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.