Abuja – A Non-Governmental Organisation, UFUK Dialogue Foundation, on Thursday, held an online interdenominational prayer session for the unity and progress of Nigeria amid the rampaging Coronavirus pandemic and imposed lockdown in many states.
The prayer session featured prominent religious leaders, including John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Dr Khalid Aliyu, Secretary General, Jamatul Nasril Islam and Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
A statement issued by the Media Officer of the foundation, Mr Emrah IIgen, quoted the President, Mr. Sabri Unal, as saying that the programme was aimed at encouraging people across faith to pray for the nation.
He said that through such online platforms, people could still congregate and pray for Nigeria, especially at these trying times, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unal, in his welcome address entitled: “Nigeria Prays” said that as many places of worship were currently under lock and key, religious leaders must utilise such platforms to pray together for the nation.
“As many of our places of worship were forced to close their doors, to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus, we believe in facilitating an inclusive unifying moment for humanity.
“The outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic across the globe has reinforced the need for humanity to stay united in our shared values towards halting the further spread of the virus.
“Our aim is to unify the voices of our religious leaders in prayer for Nigeria and the whole world, to be able to contain this pandemic.
“Moreover, in organising this online “Nigeria Prays” session, we hope for a better world of togetherness and unity, and to illustrate the power of prayer and reflection in this trying period,” he said.
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Unal expressed appreciation to essential health workers who were risking their lives to remain on duty in spite of the rising cases and risks of the virus.
He expressed hope for a better world in togetherness and unity, through the power of prayer and reflection on interfaith and inter-cultural dialogue.
Other participants at the prayer included Sheikh Abdul Ahmad, Head of Mission, Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria; Dr Joseph Job, the Methodist Archbishop of Abuja; Abubakar Muhammad, an Islamic scholar and columnist and Archbishop John Praise of Dominion Chapel International Churches. (NAN)
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