Pulse.ng : NGO unveils campaign to protect, promote freedom of religion, beliefs

By Abbas Bamalli

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Search For Common Ground (SFCG), in partnership with the Legal Aid Council has began a campaign to promote, protect freedom of religion and belief in Nigeria.

Speaking at the unveiling the campaign in Katsina, Hajiya Amina Umar, the Deputy Coordinator of the Northwest zone of the SFCG, said theproject aims to promote the rights of all Nigerians to freely practice their religion or belief hinged on their fundamental human rights.

“It’s a constitutional right for each and every citizen to exercise his/her religion without interference, or any sort of discrimination because of differences in understanding, religion or belief,” she said.

Umar said the initiative is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and executed through the Youth Inter-Faith dialogue and higher level advocacy meeting.

She further explained that the collaborative effort addresses emerging conflicts related to freedom of religion belief violations, and enhances public understanding of interfaith dynamics.

“As part of this endeavour, we will be engaging with youths from prominent higher institutions in Katsina state to facilitate dialogues on misconceptions and beliefs among different faiths.

“The aim is to create awareness as well as educate the public on the human rights to religious freedom and the need to stop violations along religious lines.

Umar pointed out the mission of the NGO was to transform the way the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions.

“We believe that conflict is inevitable, but violence is not. Conflict is a natural result of human diversity. When we deal with conflict adversarial, it generates polarisation and violence.

“When we collaborate, conflict catalyzes positive changes. Our vision is a world where cooperation is the norm where differences stimulate social progress, rather than precipitate violence.”

Also speaking, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Abdullahi, the village head of Unguwar Kofar Marusa welcomed the campaign in the state.

Abdullahi said such a project will remind the public to respect each other’s religion or belief without interference or discrimination as provided by the constitution.

NAN