A former member of the House of Representatives, Peter Ibrahim Gyendyeng, has built a Juma’at Mosque for Muslims in Gana Ropp community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, in a gesture aimed at promoting religious harmony.
The project has been welcomed by Muslim residents, who described the gesture by the Christian philanthropist as a demonstration of inclusiveness and a boost to peaceful coexistence in the community.
Gyendyeng, who represented the Barkin Ladi/Bassa Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, explained during the commissioning of the mosque that the project was conceived as a symbol of unity between Christians and Muslims.
He said the mosque was intended to provide the Muslim faithful with a permanent place of worship where they could gather and pray for peace, progress and development in the community and the country.
According to the former lawmaker, giving cash to members of the community would provide only temporary relief, whereas a project that addresses a lasting need would continue to benefit the people.
“If you give people money, they will spend it and it will finish. But when you provide something they value and which will continue to serve them, the impact remains for a long time,” he said.
The Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Ladan Gana Ropp, expressed appreciation to Gyendyeng, saying the initiative had made Muslims in the community feel accepted and valued.
“We were genuinely happy when he built the mosque for us. He is no longer occupying any political office, yet he still thought it necessary to undertake a project of this magnitude for the community,” the imam said.
He added that the mosque would remain a lasting legacy, unlike financial donations that could be exhausted within a short period.
The cleric said Muslims in the area gathered during the commissioning to pray for Gyendyeng, the Plateau State Government and the country, describing his gesture as one capable of changing perceptions and encouraging peaceful relations between people of different faiths.
He urged Christians and Muslims across Barkin Ladi and Plateau State to reject intolerance and embrace peace, mutual respect and unity.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by members of both faiths, including pastors, reverends and other Christian leaders, in a demonstration of interfaith solidarity.
0 Comments