Interfaith Conference: Muslim, Christian clerics meet

The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja on Thursday said the second conference of the Interfaith Initiative for Peace would hold between 11 and 12 August in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku, the diocese’s Director of Communications, in Abuja.

It said President Goodluck Jonathan was expected to declare the conference open. It also said that state governors, national and state legislators, the judiciary, religious and traditional leaders, professionals, academics and leaders of thought were expected at the conference.

According to the statement, Dr William Vendley, Secretary-General, World Council of Religious Leaders, Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, Grand Mufti of Uganda and co-chair, African Council for Religious Leaders, as well as religious leaders across Africa are expected to grace the two-day conference

It said that considering the security situation in the country and the forthcoming 2015 general elections, the conference was apt and relevant.

The conference themed: “Interfaith Understanding and Cooperation for Responsible Politics”, would hold a symposium on religious extremism in Nigeria.

The interfaith initiative for peace is co-founded by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar III and John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.

It is a national platform for interfaith dialogue among Muslim and Christian clerics, professionals and leaders of thought for the fostering of peaceful co-existence, religious harmony and development in the country.