David Young, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Abuja, has called on Christians and Muslims to work together towards a peaceful Nigeria.
He made this call as a guest speaker at an event organised by the Apostles in the MarketPlace (AiMP) Network on Tuesday.
Young, who has been involved in conflict resolution in some parts of Nigeria, said international consensus in diplomacy these days is tending towards work for human dignity.
“The great thing about faith is human dignity: love for God and love for others,” he said.
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Hailing the action of the Islamic cleric who saved Christians from being killed in Plateau state, the diplomat said the Octogenarian took a great risk.
The imam had bravely stood in front of his mosque to plead with a rampaging mob and by this action, he was able to spare the lives of more than 300 persons — mostly Christian farmers — who had taken refuge there.
“His heroic actions saved these lives, and my colleagues and I from our Embassy met with many of these persons, displaced from their homes by horrific violence, but alive nonetheless because this Imam risked his life to save them,” he said.
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Young added that his work as a diplomat has given him the opportunity to practice values of his faith, and he urged people of all faith to focus on the shared commitment of love and human dignity.
Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of industry, trade and investment, also speaking at the event expressed appreciation of the subject of love and respect for human dignity raised by Young.
The minister said the more of people wearing double hats to practice scriptural values in the public space, the better.
“There is a desperate need for good example but many people are too involved in personal issues,” he said.
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Established in 2003, AiMP is a network of Christian professionals and leaders in the marketplace who are committed to making a lasting impact on society.
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