Despite years of religious and ethnic conflicts that have claimed hundreds of lives in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, some residents of Jos, the state capital, continue to defy division by celebrating Christmas and New Year together.
In a region where trust has been severely eroded by violence, Muslims and Christians alike are finding the courage to embrace unity and peaceful coexistence through shared festivities. This spirit of togetherness is particularly evident in interfaith families, where love transcends religious boundaries.
These families set aside their differences to dine and celebrate in the spirit of the season, demonstrating that harmony is possible even in the most challenging environments.
A Tradition of Togetherness in Fobur Community
In Fobur, a rural community, predominantly inhabited by the Afizere ethnic group, Christmas is more than a Christian celebration; it is a shared family tradition that includes Muslim relatives. The essence of Christmas— widely regarded as a season of love, gift-giving, and togetherness— extends beyond religious lines, bringing both Christians and Muslims together in unity in the community.
Unlike other communities in Plateau State that have witnessed severe ethno-religious crises over the years, Fobur stands out as a place where interfaith harmony is deeply rooted. During the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations, family members came together to share meals and create cherished memories, regardless of their religious affiliations. For these families, faith differences do not weaken their ties; instead, they see themselves as one united entity.
Esther Shehu, a Christian housewife married to a Muslim husband, shared her experience during the festive period.
“My husband has been good to me since we got married. He has always been supportive during Christmas, ensuring that we have everything we need to celebrate joyfully,” she said.
She added that in the same spirit of mutual respect, she reciprocates his kindness during Muslim festivities, ensuring that he also feels valued and celebrated. Her husband, Shehu Abubakar, reaffirmed his commitment to their interfaith marriage. According to him, he has always been part of her life and her family.
“I never allow religion to be a barrier between us. That is why, during Christmas, I make sure to provide for my family so that they can enjoy the season,” he explained.
He added that his wife prepared special meals for him during the celebrations, making the occasion even more enjoyable.
A Model of Religious Tolerance in Igyem Community
Igyem, another rural community, is another example of peaceful coexistence, where residents continue to foster a harmonious atmosphere despite the religious tensions in other parts of the state.
Merry Igyem, a Christian housewife, emphasized the strong interfaith relationships within her family.
“My family is made up of both Muslims and Christians, and we all live together in happiness. On Christmas Eve, we prepared food and shared it with our Muslim relatives…Despite practicing different religions, we still believe we are one family,” she told Peace News Network (PNN).
Halima Agwon, another housewife in the community, expressed similar sentiments, saying they make sure that they have fun together during festive periods whether it is Christmas or Muslim celebrations. “We cook and share meals with our fellow sisters and brothers, regardless of their faith,” she added, smiling.
Muhammad Igyem, an elderly Muslim and the head of the Igyem family, explained how his Christian relatives honor him during Christmas.
“Even though I am a Muslim, my Christian family members bring food to me on Christmas Day, and I eat with joy…My children, some are Muslims, and others are Christians. Yet, we have never allowed religion to divide us,” he said.
He added that during Muslim festivities, his family reciprocates the gesture by sharing food and meat with their Christian relatives, a tradition they have maintained for decades.
Similarly, Fatima Abubakar, another elderly Muslim woman in the community, emphasized that there is no segregation between Christians and Muslims in their family.
Interfaith Families: A Model for Other Communities
Halima Agwon confirmed that their family meetings, usually held every six months, provide a platform to discuss issues of mutual interest and strengthen family ties.
“In fact, most times when the Muslims among us have programs in the mosque, we join them. Likewise, they attend Christian events. It is a way of showing support and love,” she explained.
She further explained these meetings have been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding and love, strengthening their bond over the years.
These interfaith families believe that their values of love, tolerance, and togetherness will be passed down to future generations. Their unity serves as a model for other communities in Plateau State and neighboring regions still grappling with ethnic and religious intolerance.
Interfaith Families Beyond Plateau State
Umar Muhammad Ogwu, a Muslim originally from Kogi State but now residing in Nasarawa State, shared his experience of growing up in an interfaith family.
“My younger sister is a Christian, and we always celebrate Christmas together as one family…I have cousins and brothers who are either Muslims or Christians, and we all come together to celebrate festive periods,” he said.
He further explained that during both Muslim and Christian holidays, they exchange gifts and visit each other. He explained that he even travels to his family’s village or the countryside every year to join his Christian relatives for Christmas.
“We consider ourselves one big family, free from religious discrimination,” he added.
Plateau State Efforts Towards Peacebuilding
Kenneth Johnson Dakop, Team Lead for the Strategic and Communication Unit of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, acknowledged the efforts made by communities in the state to foster religious tolerance.
“Over the years, communities in Plateau State have built resilience and now appreciate that religion should not be a source of tension or conflict,” he stated.
Dakop noted that while religion is sometimes manipulated to instigate violence, the agency has identified the importance of working closely with religious leaders to promote understanding and peaceful coexistence.
“Yes, we may not be there yet, but significant progress has been made,” he added “We will continue engaging, particularly in providing orientation for young people, to help them understand and appreciate our differences,” he told PNN.
Dakop highlighted that communities once considered “no-go areas” due to religious divides, such as Jos North, Bauchi Road, Tudun Wada, and Kabong, are now witnessing increased interfaith interactions. He mentioned that these communities now organize competitions and celebrate festivities together, demonstrating progress in peacebuilding efforts.
Furthermore, the Plateau State government established the Plateau State Inter-Religious Council, consisting of over 56 members from different religious denominations. The council works to foster mutual understanding and appreciation of shared humanity, rather than focusing on religious or political differences.
Samson Auta, Co-National Coordinator of the Interfaith Mediation Center in Kaduna, told PNN that when people of different faiths understand and celebrate with one another during festivities, it helps strengthen the bond between them.
He explained that people often experience fear and uncertainty regarding trust. However, when they visit one another and celebrate together, it fosters mutual trust and strengthens their relationships.
He emphasized the importance of such interactions in Northern Nigeria, stating that the region has developed a culture of fear, miscommunication, and stereotypes.
“So I believe with such family bonds, it will go a long way to address so many misconceptions around us,” he said.
Samson further added that associating with people of different faiths creates an avenue for understanding, helping communities reconnect with the way things used to be in the past.
The experiences of these interfaith families serve as a testament to the possibility of unity amidst diversity. Their bonds offer a model for other communities in Plateau State and neighboring regions still grappling with ethnic and religious intolerance.
Keywords: Christmas, Christians, Muslims, Yuletide, holidays, holiday season, interfaith, interfaith families, peace, conflict, Nigerian, Nigeria, New Year, Nigerians
