Ramadan Meets Lent: Interfaith Media Guild Urges Nigerians to Choose Unity Over Division

ByNewsmakers

Feb 17, 2026 #fasting season Nigeria, #GIMP Nigeria statement, #interfaith harmony Nigeria, #media role in national unity, #Muslims and Christians unity, #Muyiwa Akintunde GIMP, #peaceful coexistence Nigeria, #Ramadan and Lent coincidence, #religious tolerance in Nigeria

Muyiwa Akintunde, Vice Chairman, GIMP-Nigeria.

Matilda Omonaiye/

The Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria) has called on Muslims and Christians nationwide to use the rare convergence of Ramadan and the Christian Lent as a moment to deepen tolerance, peaceful coexistence and national unity.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, the Vice Chairman of the Guild’s Governing Council, Muyiwa Akintunde, said the simultaneous commencement of the two major religious observances demonstrates that faith traditions can share common moral ground despite doctrinal differences.

According to him, the coincidence highlights humanity’s shared search for spiritual meaning through fasting, reflection and self-discipline.

“Despite different calendars, humanity’s search for meaning often lines up in unexpected ways,” he said, noting that the development shows the two faiths are not mutually exclusive and should coexist harmoniously.

Akintunde described both Ramadan and Lent as periods of moral rebirth, compassion and bridge-building across religious lines rather than merely abstaining from food.
He said Ramadan provides Muslims an opportunity to demonstrate Islam as a religion of mercy, justice and peaceful coexistence, urging adherents to allow the spirit of self-restraint and empathy guide their interaction with people of other faiths.

“Ramadan teaches empathy for the less privileged and love for humanity, values urgently needed in our national life, especially at a time of security and social cohesion challenges,” he stated.

GIMP-Nigeria also reminded Christians that Lent is a 40-day period of repentance, prayer, fasting and almsgiving in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, encouraging believers to reflect on their faith and prepare spiritually for Easter.

The Guild stressed that fasting must include refraining from hate speech, intolerance and actions capable of widening religious divisions.

It urged clerics and religious scholars to use their pulpits to preach unity and mutual respect, while also advising media professionals to avoid sensational or divisive reporting during the holy seasons.

Instead, journalists were encouraged to spotlight stories of interfaith cooperation, humanitarian service and peaceful community engagement.

GIMP-Nigeria further appealed to government agencies, traditional rulers, civil society groups and religious leaders to organise joint outreach programmes and interfaith fast-breaking gatherings to foster understanding among citizens.

Akintunde emphasised that dialogue should move beyond conferences into daily life, sharing meals with neighbours, supporting community service and standing together against violence and injustice.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting narratives of harmony through the media and prayed for peace, security and prosperity in Nigeria as the fasting season continues.