Kaduna Church Donates Food to Over 1,000 Muslims, Promotes Unity and Religious Tolerance
By Ibrahima Yakubu, Kaduna/ Abdulwahab Muhammad Bauchi
In a remarkable act of interfaith kindness, the Church of Christ Evangelical and Life Intercessory Ministry, Sabon Tasha, has distributed food items to over 1,000 underprivileged Muslims in Kaduna ahead of the Ramadan fasting period.
The donation, which took place on Friday morning in Chikun Local Government Area, included essential foodstuffs such as maize, millet, plastic kettles, and prayer mats. Beneficiaries of the initiative included Almajiri children, beggars, and members of the Association of Persons with Disabilities, who gathered at the Kano Road Central Mosque to receive the items.
Speaking after the distribution, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of the church, emphasized that the gesture was aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence and easing the burden of economic hardship, inflation, and food scarcity on the less privileged.
“We have been doing this for 19 years, reaching out to poor Muslims and Tsangaya Islamic schools across five northern states to provide food support during Ramadan,” he stated. “This year, we also included prayer mats and plastic kettles to encourage prayers for peace and stability in the country.”
Pastor Buru also highlighted that the initiative was a way of reciprocating the kindness of Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, a Muslim woman who regularly donates food and other essentials to Christian widows and orphans during Christmas and Easter celebrations.
Beyond food distribution, the church has also extended its support to Muslim prisoners, assisting in securing the release of those jailed for minor offenses so they can observe Ramadan at home with their families.
“As Ramadan begins, we appeal to traders to avoid inflating food prices, as many families are already struggling. We have also mobilized 30 pastors and imams for a 7-day awareness campaign in markets to discourage price hikes,” Pastor Buru added.
Beneficiaries Express Gratitude
Mallam Hassan Lawal, a representative of the Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, expressed deep appreciation for the continuous support from the church, noting that they had received similar donations for the past 19 years.
“We truly appreciate this gesture because it comes at a time when no one else seems to be concerned about us,” he said.
Similarly, Mallam Tukur Zubairu, leader of the Blind Persons Association, and Imam Ibrahim Musa, a Tsangaya school leader, commended the initiative, urging wealthy individuals and religious organizations to support the needy, especially during religious observances.
As Muslims around the world commence their 30-day fasting and prayers, the church’s act of kindness serves as a powerful reminder that humanity transcends religious and tribal boundaries.