The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) on Tuesday condoled the Nigerian Catholic community and the entire Christendom on the demise of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
The Argentine Pontiff, who death was announced by the Vatican, died in his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within the Vatican City on Monday morning aged 88.
In a letter of condolences addressed to the President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the apex Islamic body in Nigeria described the late pontiff as “a humane, humble and fear-minded servant of the Almighty”, who was renowned for peace and harmony.
The NSCIA noted that Pope Francis was committed to a just and equitable world as demonstrated in his last public pronouncement in which he called for a ceasefire in the war against the people of Gaza and the Palestinians.
The letter, signed by the Council’s Deputy National Legal Adviser, Imam Haroun Muhammad Eze and copied by the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), expressed the NSCIA’s renewed commitment to dialogue, peace and understanding among all faith traditions, both locally and globally.
“The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), on behalf of the entire Muslim community in Nigeria, condoles with the Nigerian Catholic community in particular and the entire Christendom in general on the glorious transition of Pope Francis.
“The late pontiff was a humane, humble and fear-minded servant of the Almighty.
“The fact that the last public pronouncement of the late Pope called for a ceasefire in the war against the people of Gaza and the Palestinians is a testament to the late Pope’s commitment to a just and equitable world.
“In memory of the late Pope, renowned for peace and harmony, we seize this sober moment to renew the commitment of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs to dialogue, peace and understanding among all faith traditions, both locally and globally,” the NSCIA stated in the letter.
The Council then prayed to the Almighty to comfort the Catholic community and guide them towards the election of an equally equitable and just leader.
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