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Makinde Hosts Saudi Govt, Reassures of His Administration’s Commitment to Religious Tolerance

Oyo state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has made a pledge to continue promoting religious tolerance and harmony without bias and sentiment in the state.

He stated this while hosting a delegation of Saudi Arabia government led by one of the Chief Imams of Makkah, Sheikh Hassan bin Abdul Hameed Bukhari at the courtesy room of Governor’s office, Agodi Ibadan.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa quoted Makinde as saying that the state is peaceful and welcoming for everyone irrespective of religious affiliations.

The governor thanked the Saudi government for bringing the workshop on peaceful co-existence targeted at judges and lecturers of the University of Ibadan, noting that the workshop would further promote harmonious relationships in the state.

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“Some of the things the S.A Islamic Affairs mentioned are things that we did but he did not mention the most important one that is so much after my heart. And I will tell you why.

“You know, when you do things that are physical like sending people on Hajj, building a mosque, those are physical things. The one that is very spiritual is the Ramadan lecture we do organise for our people, which basically is giving the people spiritual food. You can give people physical food but when you feed them spiritually, I think that is the most important thing.

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“For us as an administration, we are almost blind to religion. That is why in Oyo state today, people are unable to divide us along religious lines.

“They may say a whole lot of things but at the end of the day, the truth always prevails.

“Finally, I want to thank you for the workshop. It is a confirmation not just to the people of Nigeria but the international community that you can come from different places and be comfortable within us here.

“We want the message to go out that Oyo state is peaceful and welcoming even to outsiders”, Makinde said.

Earlier, the Head of Arabic Language Department, Umm Al-Qurra University, Makkah, Sheikh Hassan Hameed Bukhari who spoke through an interpreter, lauded Oyo state government for peaceful atmosphere reigning in the state, disclosing that the team was in Ibadan for a workshop at the University of Ibadan, for judges and university lecturers “toward promoting religious coexistence among the people.”

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The Arabian pledged the readiness of Saudi authority to assist Oyo state government where necessary to develop the state.

He thereafter decorated the governor with a special recognition award of the Umm Al-Qurra University Makkah, for his good deeds towards Islam, while expressing the readiness of the Saudi authorities to assist the state in the areas of development.

IFRAME SYNC

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