Islam, Christianity, best gifts to modern civilisation – Cleric

Rev. Fr. Gideon Pwakim of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos has described Islam and Christianity as the best gifts God has given to modern civilisation.
Pwakim, who holds an M.Sc and PhD in missiology of Sankt Georgen University, Frankfurt, Germany, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos.
The cleric, who also recently launched a book titled “The Persistence of Religious Violence in Northern Nigeria and the Search for Peaceful Coexistence: A Theological Perspective”, called on adherents of the two religions to always toe the path of peace.
He blamed the consistent religious conflicts that had engulfed Northern Nigeria on lack of tolerance among Christians and Muslims.
“If you critically study the Quaran and Bible, there is no way Christians and Muslims will not live in peace.
“This is because there is no place in these holy books that preaches violence. Everything you need to learn toward a peaceful and progressive society is contained in these holy books
“So, when you look at the two religions, you will realise that they are the best gifts God has given to modern civilisation.
“But we see Christians and Muslims living like enemies because they have not really come to appreciate these two religions are great gifts to mankind,” he said.
Pwakim further advised Christians and Muslims to be hospitable to each other and imbibe the spirit  of forgiveness, insisting that such move would further entrench peaceful coexistence in the society.
“Accepting people the way they are is very key; people must learn to tolerate each other and be hospitable.
“We must also learn to put our differences and events of the past away and come together in reconciliation to chart a way forward.
“Only then will the North and Nigeria as a whole experience the desired peace and tranquility that will bring progress and development to our land,” he said.
The cleric explained that his personal experience in some of the ethno-religious conflicts that engulfed Jos and other parts of the North pushed him into publishing his book.
He said the book looked into the causes of the lingering crises in Northern Nigeria and proffered solutions
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