Muslims, Christians in Gombe team up to fight climate change through tree planting
Story from Haruna ABDULRASHID
The Christian community in Kurba town of Gombe State has been called to embrace tree planting as a way of protecting the environment from degradation and global warming.
This call was made during a Tree Waqf campaign programme by the Zakah and Waqf Foundation, Gombe State (ZAWFOG).
The foundation’s Chairman, Ameer Abdullahi Abubakar Lamido, led a delegation of the opinion leaders and members of the Zakah and Waqf Foundation, both male and female, into the Church at Kurba who were observing their last Sunday Church Service on the request of the Church leaders to address them on the tree plantation mission of ZAWFOG.
The MC, Malam Umar Faruq, introduced the Foundation and the 5th Tree Waqf Plantation Programme being the reason for the Foundation’s visit to Kurba.
The leader of the Church, Reverend Daniel Sama’ila Mayau, welcomed them and expressed happiness for the good gesture.
He further showed his overwhelming happiness to the Foundation members for visiting the Church, which he commended as a sign of respect, honour and a rare sight.
The Chairman of the Foundation in his remark mentioned the closeness between Muslims and Christians in terms of affection as expressed by the Qur’an.
He added by mentioning that the Zakah and Waqf Foundation came to Kurba town as a community and not only to the Muslim community.
He said, “When there is heat or erosion from lack of trees, it does not affect people of one religion. It is the whole people that suffer.
“Likewise when Kurba becomes a shady town and begins to generate revenue from economic trees, it is the whole community that will reap the fruits”.
“Although we differ in faith, we share common concerns about the environment. We must work together to protect and enhance it”.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of planting trees and that they should use the slightest opportunity they get to plant a tree.
Reverend Daniel led to the surrounding of the Church to make a symbolic presentation of the plantations.