Members of Gangare community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State have reunited after two decades of division following the 2001 ethnoreligious crisis that engulfed the state capital.
The reunion, described as the Gangare Brotherhood Reunion, brought Christians and Muslims together to promote peace and mutual coexistence after years of separation along religious lines.
The 2001 crisis, which claimed numerous lives and displaced communities, left Gangare deeply divided. In an effort to heal these divides, residents who once lived harmoniously have resolved to rebuild their bonds.
Pastor Gangare John of ECWA Church, who relocated after the crisis, expressed his joy at the reunion. “We were living in peace before the crisis. I was the ECWA Church pastor here in Gangare but had to relocate. I am impressed with the reunion and pray God helps us achieve togetherness,” he said.
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Similarly, Imam Aliyu Aliyu of Gangare Mosque highlighted the importance of the event. “Today is a significant day. It is a day of reawakening the spirit of togetherness that had died among us.”
“Islam does not teach us to fight our neighbor because of their religion. What happened in 2001 was the result of selfish interests. Whoever fights their neighbor because of religion is not acting in accordance with Islamic teachings,” he stated.
Residents who were displaced during the crisis, such as Martha Dauda and Justina Beguwan, shared emotional recollections of their lives in Gangare before the violence.
“I gave birth to eight of my children here in Gangare. Some of you here may not recognize me because I’ve aged. We can’t achieve peace unless we elders teach our children its significance. Both Christianity and Islam teach peace, not violence,” Dauda said.
Beguwan echoed her sentiments, saying, “I grew up here in Gangare. After the crisis, we relocated. But today, we’ve come together as brothers and sisters, sitting under one roof. ”
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“This shows we are one. Religious differences should not divide us. The devil used some of us to create crisis, but we thank God we are beginning to understand better.”
Usman Ali, the community leader of Gangare, emphasized the day’s importance. “I was born and brought up here. The Christians who attended this meeting are my contemporaries or younger ones.”
“We appreciate God’s wisdom in finding and bringing them closer to us. If this meeting is organized sincerely, it will ensure lasting peace and togetherness,” he said.
Residents of Gangare expressed hope that the reunion would mark the beginning of a new chapter of peace and harmony, closing the wounds of the past and fostering unity.
DailyTrust