Nigerian women accept palliatives from GPF Nigeria.
Interfaith trust and collaboration among women are key to achieving peace and social cohesion in communities and society. Recognizing the valuable role of women in peacebuilding, the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria partnered with the Kukah Center to host the Interfaith Ramadan Palliatives Distribution for Peace and Unity initiative. On March 19, 2025, Ramadan palliatives were distributed to 196 households from Christian and Muslim communities in the Unguwan Shanu-Abakwa and Hayin Banki wards in Kaduna State.
Abdul Ahmed, program manager for GPF Nigeria.
As recipients of the Ramadan palliatives, Christian and Muslim women from communities previously impacted by religious violence reconnected, rekindled friendships, and embraced their diverse ethnoreligious backgrounds. Fostering interfaith harmony among women, the event reinforced the benefits of overcoming differences to collectively work on peacebuilding initiatives.
On behalf of GPF Nigeria Country Director Rev. John Joseph Hayab, GPF Nigeria Senior Program Manager Abdul Ahmed stressed the importance of interfaith unity in addressing everyday challenges that negatively affect our ability to achieve peaceful coexistence. He stated, “Hunger and conflict know no religion, so we must embrace one another and work together for peace.”
Representing the Kukah Center, Fr. Sistus Onuh praised GPF Nigeria for promoting interfaith harmony. He also committed to continuing the Kukah Center’s collaborative work with GPF Nigeria to achieve peaceful coexistence and interfaith cooperation while calling on the women to pray for national unity and peace during Ramadan.
Testimonies from several participants confirmed the success of bringing together Christian and Muslim women in the peacebuilding initiative. Maryam Ibrahim, a Muslim beneficiary, commented, “This support came at the right time. Beyond the food, I am happy to reunite with my Christian friends whom I haven’t seen in years due to past conflicts. This program has reminded us that we are all one family.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, Grace Daniel, a Christian beneficiary stated, “Today, I shared food and laughter with my Muslim sisters. It feels good to come together again and see that peace is possible when we embrace one another with love and understanding.”
Muslim and Christian women gather for an Interfaith Ramadan program in Nigeria.
Women are a source of strength and foundational support for their families and communities. They share an irrefutable bond in their ability to foster peace and social cohesion regardless of their ethnoreligious backgrounds. GPF Nigeria’s support of women as peacebuilders is evident in its commitment to programs such as the Interfaith Ramadan Palliatives Distribution for Peace and Unity. According to Aisha Mohammed, a community leader, “This initiative is a great step toward lasting peace. Seeing women from different faiths standing together proves that unity is stronger than division.”
GPF will continue to share its vision of One Family Under God, in which we recognize the underlying foundation of our shared humanity while accepting and celebrating our differences to achieve sustainable peace.
