Kaduna Interfaith Council
Muslim and Christian Women
Call for Peace and Justice as we celebrate Nigeria’s 51st Anniversary
On this occasion of the 51st Anniversary of our dear nation’s independence, we, THE INTERFAITH COUNCIL OF MUSLIM & CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS KADUNA congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, the entire Government and all Nigerian citizens.
We also congratulate the First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan and the wife of the vice president, Hajia Amina N Sambo, on the initiation of the laudable ongoing program known as the Women for Change Initiative which led to the actualization of the 35% affirmation for women’s participatory roles in government and policy decision. To you both we say Happy Anniversary.
Our Women’s Interfaith Council uses this occasion of our Independence Anniversary to call on the three tiers of Government, at all levels, and on relevant stakeholders to join hands and voices in the pursuit of peace for the nation. We acknowledge that without peace there can be no meaningful development.
We call on Government to find means to dialogue with the Boko Haram group and with other groups that cause disharmony and disrupt the peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, to listen to the grievances of such groups and address them with fairness and equity in the overall interest of all citizens. We note that the existence of such groups is an indication of the failure of Government to lead our country on the path of progress, justice, equality and right and is a stark reminder that there are many underlying problems in Nigerian society today. The Government should give serious consideration to all seeming grudges which express the plight of Nigerians and give all citizens a sense of security by addressing the many social problems highlighted.
Equally, we call on the members of Boko Haram, and other peoples who resort to violence, to reconsider their use of such methods and to join the ranks of Nigerian citizens who make honest efforts to build a united Nigeria of justice and of equity in fidelity to the Nigerian constitution. In a spirit of dialogue and people participatory democracy, and in a joint commitment to the pursuance of the common good, non-violent means can be used to express their concerns so that relevant issues can be dealt with in a way that is for the good of all citizens.
As women, we are tired of being at the receiving end of all the hazards that violence and destruction brings. We call on women to rise up to their responsibilities as mothers and home builders. Mothers must give to their children and to their husbands a sense of respect for life and a commitment to justice, right and peaceful coexistence.
Nigeria is a blessed country with enough human and natural resources to make this nation the envy of other nations. Over 90% of Nigerians are adherents of the two main religions, Islam and Christianity. Therefore, as women of faith, we call on all Christians and Muslims, in the spirit of Love and Forgiveness, to pursue PEACE at all times.
Long live Nigeria! God bless Nigeria!
Signed: Interfaith Council of Muslim and Christian Women’s Associations Kaduna Date: 30th Sept. 2011
Humanitarian crisis in East Africa
Humanitarian crisis in East Africa
Around 9 million people in the Horn of Africa are in need of humanitarian aid. This crisis has been caused by a combination of drought, high food prices and the on-going conflict in Somalia. Those affected most are the poorest and weakest many of whom have died or have been forced to leave their homes in search of food.
According to the UN World Food Project the people needing food assistance are mainly in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. “Desperate hunger is looming across the Horn of Africa and threatening the lives of millions who are struggling to survive in the face of rising food prices and conflict,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.
Drought in the region has meant that there has been no harvest for the last two years. Food prices have soared beyond the means of most people and the conflict in Somalia adds further to the disruption of people’s lives. Around 10,000 people from Somalia are arriving each week at already overcrowded Kenyan refugee camps. As rains normally expected between April and June failed to appear again this year the numbers needing assistance are expected to rise even further in the coming weeks.
SMA Bishop Patrick J Harrington recently handed over to Bishop Dominic Kimengich as Bishop of Lodwar, the area in northern Kenya where many refugees are now living, with more arriving every day. Should you wish your donation to go directly to the feeding programmes organised by the Diocese of Lodwar please make your donation through clicking here Donate Online and then click on Famine Relief in the Choose a Cause drop down menu. Thank you!
Should you wish to send a donation by cheque of PO please make it payable to 'Society of African Missions, Cork'.
We also ask for your prayers for the people of the region and for all those who are working to provide them with assistance at this time
As a local response to the crisis Cois Tine www.coistine.ie (an SMA Project providing services to African immigrants in Cork) together with immigrants from Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia - countries affected by the drought - invited all Irish people to express their solidarity with those who are suffering by taking time to pray and fast on Wednesday 20 July and where possible to make a donation in support of people suffering as a result of the crisis.
Banks betting on Food
Stop Banks betting on Food..... please act NOW
At present investors are speculating on food commodities and so causing food prices to rise beyond the means of poorer people. We need to urge the members of the economic committee of the European Parliament to vote to tackle food speculation. Such speculation is leading to the deaths of people throughout the world, especially in Africa.