Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations amidst the rising cost of living, a Muslim woman, Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed, has donated dozens of new clothes—wrappers—to Christian widows in Kaduna to help them celebrate the festive season with new clothes, just like other Christian women.
Hajiya Hafsat, who has been donating Christmas trees to Christians in Kaduna for many years, says her goal is to bring joy to widows and remind them that the true meaning of the season is the birth of Jesus Christ.
She emphasized that this gesture is aimed at fostering better interfaith relationships between Muslims and Christians, while spreading a message of peace and unity.
According to Hajiya Hafsat, the season provides an opportunity for Muslims around the world to demonstrate that Islam is a faith of peace, love, forgiveness, and tolerance.
She believes such acts of goodwill can help bridge divides and promote harmony between the two religious communities.
This year’s Christmas celebrations come at a time when Nigerians are grappling with difficult economic conditions, rising security challenges, and the escalating cost of food due to fuel price increases.
“This is not the first time I’m donating Christmas trees to my Christian friends and families, both locally and abroad,” she said. “Last year, I donated over 10 Christmas trees to families in southern Nigeria.”
She also highlighted the impact of ongoing ethno-religious and political crises in Northern Nigeria, stressing the need to encourage peaceful coexistence among all.
In response, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, Senior Pastor of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, noted that every year, Muslims from across the country send him Christmas trees and other gifts to strengthen interfaith relationships.
He expressed gratitude for the gesture and prayed for abundant blessings for Hajiya Hafsat.
Pastor Dr. Buru also pointed out that the church reciprocates this kindness by distributing foodstuffs to Muslims during Ramadan, stating, “We are one family under God.”
He further mentioned that every year, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani also sends Christmas and New Year foodstuffs to the widows.
He said every year,his church use to bail out Muslims in various prison for them to participate in the 30 day's fasting and praying with their families at home
He thanked the Kaduna Peace Commission for their efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among different faith-based organizations in the state.
Pastor Buru also called on wealthy Christians and corporate organizations to always remember the less fortunate during the festive season.
