Christian, Muslim leaders unite in terror condemnation

Christian and Muslim leaders expressed sorrow and sent their condolences to the victims of the recent bombings in Jos.

The blasts left more than 100 people dead in a series of terror attacks that have hit the country.

Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan, chairman of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought (RABIIT), condemned the violence.

“We strongly condemn the recent bombings in Jos, Nigeria. The location and timing of the bombings clearly were designed to cause indiscriminate and widespread casualties among passers-by, and among rescue workers who were coming to their aid,” read a joint statement.

Both religious leaders, who were in Jos and Plateau State in 2012 leading a Christian-Muslim delegation in Nigeria, stressed that the horrific acts which have occurred in Jos did not represent in any way either of their two religions.

“They have made us even more determined to find ways to support the people of Nigeria and those who are seeking to put an end to violence in the country,” read their statement.

“Peace is a blessing from God. Christianity and Islam call for peace and harmony among all of humanity, and do not condone or allow offensive warfare or aggression.”


The country is also in the news due to the abduction of more than 200 young women by the Boko Haram fighters, an event which prompted a “profound concern” from the WCC general secretary urging “swift and peaceful” action to restore these girls to their homes.

The militant Boko Haram, whose mission is to turn Nigeria into an Islamic country, has claimed responsibility for the abductions and is said to be behind the recent spate of bombings.