The Church of Christ Evangelical and Life Intercessory Ministry, Sabon Tasha, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Friday morning, distributed food items to over 1,000 underprivileged Muslims and Islamic schools in preparation for the 30-day Ramadan fasting period. The distribution aimed to foster peace and unity in the community.
Among the food items distributed, mostly to Almajiri, beggars, and members of the Association of Persons with Disabilities at the Kano Road Central Mosque in Kaduna, were bags of maize, millet, plastic kettles, and prayer mats.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of the church, spoke to newsmen after the distribution. He explained that the church has consistently targeted over 1,000 underprivileged Muslims and Tsangaya Islamic schools across northern Nigeria for food assistance during Ramadan. The goal is to provide foodstuffs and grains to be used throughout the 30-day fasting and prayer period.
The pastor emphasized that the distribution aimed to alleviate the effects of the naira redesign, fuel scarcity, and rising food prices on the underprivileged in society. Additionally, he noted that the gesture was intended to strengthen peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance among residents in the region.
“We are also reciprocating the kindness of Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, a Muslim woman who regularly donates rice, cash, and new clothes for the church’s widows and orphans during Christmas, New Year, and Easter celebrations,” he added.
According to Pastor Buru, the church has been distributing rice, maize, and other food items to poor Muslims in five northern states for the past 19 years, enabling them to participate fully in the 30-day fasting and prayers of Ramadan. This year, the church also included mats and plastic kettles, encouraging recipients to pray at home for an end to the rising challenges of insecurity, high inflation, and other issues affecting peace and stability in the country.
Additionally, the church has supported Muslim prisoners, helping those jailed for minor offenses to spend Ramadan at home with their families.
“We are targeting over 1,000 poor Muslims this year and have purchased 30 bags of maize and millet to distribute, starting today,” Pastor Buru shared.
He appealed to well-meaning individuals to support the less privileged and called on traders to refrain from arbitrarily raising food prices during Ramadan. The pastor further revealed that he had mobilized 30 volunteer pastors and imams for a 7-day campaign with market traders to reduce food prices.
“As Muslims worldwide begin their 30-day fasting and prayers tomorrow, we wish them a happy Ramadan Kareem in advance,” he added.
Receiving the items, Mallam Hassan Lawal, a leader of the Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in the state, expressed gratitude for the church’s ongoing support. He noted that for the past 19 years, the church has consistently provided foodstuffs and other items to the association for use during Ramadan.
He appealed to wealthy Muslims to support the less privileged with foodstuffs to allow them to stay at home and pray for the nation.
“We truly appreciate our Christian brothers and sisters because the help they provide comes at a time of great need, when no one else seems to be concerned about us,” he added.
Similarly, Mallam Tukur Zubairu, the Kaduna State leader of the Blind Persons Association, acknowledged the church’s long-standing support for Muslims during Ramadan.
On behalf of his school, Imam Ibrahim Musa, a leader of Tsangaya Islamic schools in Kaduna, thanked the church for its continuous assistance with food grains, which the school uses during the 30 days of fasting and prayer.
Imam Ibrahim Musa thanked the church for remembering the Muslims and the school during this important time.
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