Experts preach religious harmony across Nigeria – Voice of Nigeria

A diverse group of religious leaders, academics, media professionals and experts have gathered in Abuja to address the compelling need for religious understanding and advocacy in Nigeria.

The essence of the training was to promote harmony among Nigerians of diverse religious beliefs as they coexist across the six geopolitical regions of the country.

In her speech, Soraya Deen, a prominent lawyer and human rights advocate from the US, underlined the urgency of promoting peace and understanding between people of different faiths to combat religious violence.

Deen, a recipient of the Corporate Women’s Leadership Award, is known as an activist, public speaker and advocate for religious freedom or faith, as well as gender equality.

The Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) leadership workshop, sponsored by Empower Women Media USA, Muslim Women Speakers and the OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership, featured Rev. Father Atta Barkindo PhD and Sheikh Nurudeen Lemu Ahmad as keynote speakers. They captivated participants with their deep insights into issues that promote religious harmony.

In his Keynote address, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo (PhD) also underlined the crucial role of freedom of religion or belief in promoting peace, security and economic prosperity in Nigeria.

He stressed the urgency of tackling religious intolerance and violence in the country.

Father Barkindo reiterated the need for all hands to be on deck to quell the wave of religious disharmony and attendant violence, and called for greater understanding between different regions.

Also speaking, a Muslim cleric, Sheikh Nurudeen Lemu Ahmad, said the focus should be on promoting interfaith harmony through local solutions to combat violent extremism, stressing the importance of tailor-made approaches in Nigeria’s diverse landscape.

The workshop, organized by the Live What You Believe (LWYB) project and led by Felix Samari, attracted over 100 participants committed to advocating for religious freedom in Nigeria.

The distinguished panel of experts from religious institutions and academia inspired attendees to stand up for religious freedom, emphasizing the intrinsic value of justice and moral governance in promoting harmonious coexistence.

As participants left with renewed commitment to promoting interfaith understanding and advocating for freedom of religion or belief, the workshop marked an important milestone in promoting a more inclusive and harmonious society in Nigeria.

The FoRB training aimed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to advocate for religious freedom and cohesion.

It stands for Freedom of Belief or Religion and the LWYB Training focuses on training in the following areas;

• Improve understanding of human rights and religious freedom;
• Recognize religion-based biases and how they impact peacebuilding, gender equality and business economies,
• Promote respect for different beliefs, traditions and worldviews
• Assess stereotypes that can influence behavior in the workplace and in society
  Encourage equality, diversity, inclusion and multi-faith living.

Grace Chukwudiebere