A coalition of Muslim and Christian Youths in Ganye’s chiefdom has indicated their determination to fight against latent forces of evil working to threaten the unity and the realization of the ethnic agenda of the Chamba Nation.
The coalition has also stated in unequivocal terms that the Youths will no longer compromise the future of the Chamba race on the altar of religion or politics.
The spokespersons of the coalition, Hauwa Ahmed Umar and Kyari Jidauna have observed with nostalgia the complete departure from the lifestyle of the pre-colonial Chamba man who upholds his culture, tradition, and Identity without little or no preference for religion or wealth. The present resolve of the Chamba youths from the two religious divides is not only a complete deviation from the religious extremism, bigotry, hateful and indolence that has characterized the behavior of a modern Chamba man but an open confirmation and expression of the willingness of the youths in the land to thread the glorious path of ethnic harmony and national development.
By this singular act, they have formed an impregnable movement that can break the walls of segregation and perceived imaginary boundaries that divide the Chamba Nation into shreds.
The group advocated the need to embark on awareness creation and crusade against religious bigotry and extremism for all communities in Ganye Chiefdom to combat retrogressive ideologies that create pathways for exploiting anxiety, instigation of hatred, sectarianism, and other crippling challenges that confront the Chamba community.
The pioneer intimated that to demonstrate the commitment of the coalition to this noble cause, the group had held a dialogue with the leadership of the Apex body of all the ethnic associations known as the Chamba Cultural Development Association(CCDA).
According to the coalition, “Religion, especially in Ganye chiefdom is a powerful manipulating force and a source of identity branding for many Chamba people.
“For too long, we have allowed religion to be hijacked and used as justification for causing division, pain, and suffering.
“Enough to this manipulation and misuse. There has been enough talk and not enough action. “Through this coalition, we will synergize and continue to enlighten our people on the benefits of protecting the general interests of the Chamba race above any other consideration. “Chamba people need to know that, people who give little or no preference to religious matters in their God-given land, are much stronger than any extremists, and that cooperation brings concrete benefits to everyone”, the leader said.
The group has agreed to work together to promote national cohesion and community development.
Some of the planned activities of the group include going into the remote villages preaching to them the message of unity and love and the need to resist every form of violent extremism, and promoting respect for all religious practices by their people.
The group is also focusing on constructively engaging media platforms to deepen respect for Chamba traditions and its cultural heritage and consistently work with the CCDA leadership to make its goals realizable.
PIONEER NEWS 