The Parish Priest of St Cyril Catholic Church Kado-Kuchi, a satellite town in Abuja, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Unamba, has urged Christians, especially parishioners, to identify with Muslim faithful during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Delivering his homily during the 6am mass on Sunday, Father Unamba said that God encourages Christians to be in love with their neighbours and that the Sallah celebration is a perfect example of how religious tolerance can be encouraged with Christians seeking out Muslims in their domains to celebrate with.
He said: “There are similarities in the Bible and the Holy Koran. In the Holy Koran, Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by Allah to sacrifice his son Ismail at Mount Arafat, after years of childlessness. Prophet Ibrahim obeyed and was about to sacrifice Ismail when Allah provided a ram for him to use for the sacrifice. That is the origin of what our Muslim brothers are celebrating at this period of Eid-el-Kabir.
“In the reading today, God tells us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. There is no better way of showing love than seeking out our Muslim brothers to celebrate with them at this period of Sallah. Eat their ram meat and Sallah food, it will not purge you.
“In fact, let me give you a secret, a greater percentage of the rams killed by Muslims for the Eid-el-Kabir are to be shared with neighbours. So, when you go home today, ask your neighbours who are Muslims about your own ram meat and they will gladly give you. They will appreciate your participating in the celebration.
“During Christmas and other religious celebrations, you can return the favour by inviting Muslim faithful to come and celebrate with you. That is how to encourage religious tolerance. That is a good example of how to love your neighbour, as shown by the Good Samaritan in today’s reading.
“Also, you have to be careful in this period of insecurity. While identifying with your neighbours, also be security conscious. As you heard from today’s reading in Luke 10: 25-37, the Good Samaritan did not take the wounded man to his house, but to an inn or clinic. So, don’t bring down your fence while helping your neighbour.”