A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Search For Common Ground (SFCG), in collaboration with the Legal Aid Council has began a campaign to promote, protect freedom of religion and belief in Nigeria.
Speaking at the unveiling campaign in Katsina, the project manager,promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief( PP -FoRB) in Nigeria, Daniel Ogabiela said the project 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,” he said.
He said the initiative is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is being executed by Search.
The chief legal officer, who is a participant and representative of legal Aid Nigeria in the North West , Hajiya Fatima Umar stated that the collaborative effort addresses emerging conflicts related to freedom of religion belief violations, and enhances public understanding of interfaith dynamics.
“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.
The head of office, Search for Common Ground, Godwin Okoko also pointed out that 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.
Search for Common Ground is the largest dedicated peace building organisation in the world.
NAN
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