Religious leaders advocate implementation of code on holy sites

Religious leaders from Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau states have called for the adaptation and implementation of the Universal Code of Conduct on the Protection of Holy Sites in the country by ensuring that the local needs and peculiarities of the different communities are reflected.

The universal code contains 10 articles and encourages religious leaders, traditional institutions and interfaith bodies to consider it as a template for cooperation to confront the need to protect holy sites as a socially compelling imperative.

Following similar deliberations in the North East and the North West, religious leaders held a two-day meeting in Plateau State to deliberate on the applicability of the universal code against the peculiarities of the North Central.

At the end of the two-day meeting which was organised by the pro-peace international organisation, the Search for Common Ground, Alhaji Sani Mudi the Publicity Secretary of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Plateau State who read the communiqué, said the deliberations had called for the translation of the Universal Code of Conduct on Holy Sites into easily understood local languages.

Pastor Esther Ibanga, an interfaith peace activist, explained that though the code sought to protect holy sites, there was need to work on the surrounding issues, especially the drivers of violence that influence youths to attack places of worship.