Peace and peaceful coexistence, a task for Muslim and non-Muslims -Barr Yusuf Alli

By Jimoh Sulyman
The essence of peaceful coexistence was the central theme of discussion at the annual Ramadan lecture organized by the members of The Islamic Missionaries Association of Nigeria (IMAN) in Ilorin.
The guest speaker and veteran lawyer Barrister Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali SAN, while delivering his lecture based on the paper ‘The need for Peace and Peaceful coexistence in this trying period’ ,emphasized on the need for the people, Muslims and non-Muslims to coexist peacefully.
He tasked the Muslim and non-Muslims to be lovers of peace and to work hand in hand in order to preserve peace and harmony in the state.
Barr Yusuf Alli SAN who was represented by Barrister Abdulwasiu Oniwiridi said that Muslims, Christians and Jews have been living together right from the time of the noble Prophet, in peace and harmony.
“When the prophet and his companions migrated to Madinah he met many clans in the City that are at loggerheads with one another and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) unified the warring sides.
The legal practitioner said that, “The Prophet also established a charter, which is called the Madinah charter with which he was able to unify the Muslim community and the Non-Muslims in peace
Ali noted that, it was enshrined in the Madinah charter, whereby People of different religions and cultures are allowed to coexist in peace without persecution of any religion or race.
“The madinah charter was instrumental in fostering peace in the city by stating the rights of Muslims and that of Non-Muslims which must be protected”, he added.
He also enjoined the Muslim and Non-Muslims to recognize one another’s rights and not trample on it in order to prevent conflict.
The veteran lawyer stated that ,”Truly our constitution is man-made and it far away from being perfect, the onus now on Muslims, Christians and other religions to come together to draft a constitution that will aggregate each other’s rights and not infringe on them.