The Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria) has described the rare convergence of Ramadan and Lent as a profound spiritual moment for national reflection, urging Nigerians to transform the coincidence into a catalyst for religious tolerance and deeper unity.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Vice Chairman of the Guild’s Governing Council, Mr. Muyiwa Akintunde, said the simultaneous commencement of the two sacred observances is more than a calendar alignment — it is a moral reminder that faith traditions, though distinct, often journey toward the same higher values.
“When seasons of sacrifice meet, humanity is invited to pause,” Akintunde noted. “Despite our different paths, our spiritual aspirations often converge — in fasting, in prayer, in compassion, and in the longing for a better society.”
He described Ramadan and Lent as twin seasons of discipline and renewal — periods that call believers to restrain excesses, purify intentions, and extend kindness beyond familiar circles.
According to him, Nigeria’s diversity should be celebrated as divine design rather than exploited as a dividing line. At a time when the nation continues to confront security challenges and social tension, he said, the moral teachings embedded in both fasting seasons offer a roadmap for healing.
Ramadan, he noted, reminds Muslims of the essence of Islam — mercy, justice, self-restraint, and care for the vulnerable. Lent, he added, invites Christians into repentance, sacrifice, reflection, and preparation for the hope of Easter.
“True fasting,” Akintunde emphasised, “is not only about abstaining from food and drink. It is about abstaining from hatred, harmful speech, prejudice, and actions that fracture our shared humanity.”
GIMP-Nigeria urged religious leaders to use this sacred overlap to amplify messages of unity from their pulpits, encouraging adherents to see neighbours of other faiths not as rivals but as partners in nation-building.
The Guild also challenged media professionals to rise above sensationalism and resist narratives that inflame division. Instead, it encouraged journalists and content creators to spotlight stories of interfaith solidarity, humanitarian service, and community cooperation.
“Interfaith dialogue must leave conference rooms and enter our daily lives,” Akintunde said. “It should be seen in shared meals, collaborative outreach, and collective stands against violence and injustice.”
The organisation further called on government agencies, civil society groups, traditional institutions, and faith communities to organise joint outreach programmes and interfaith gatherings that reinforce common values and strengthen social bonds.
Reaffirming its commitment to responsible and peace-oriented media engagement, GIMP-Nigeria pledged to continue promoting narratives that unite rather than divide.
As Ramadan and Lent unfold side by side, the Guild prayed for peace, security, and renewed hope across Nigeria, urging all citizens — regardless of belief — to embrace empathy, dialogue, and the enduring power of shared humanity.
Ramadan and Lent Converge: GIMP-Nigeria Calls for Unity Beyond Faith Lines
