Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby joined the President of the Muslim Association of Nigeria, Adesian Mojeed Alabi and 200 guests for iftar on June 6 (Photo: Ahmed J Versi/Muslim News)

Ahmed J Versi

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, joined over 200 Nigerian Muslims for iftar in south London on June 6.

Welcoming the Archbishop, President of Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Adesian Mojeed Alabi, said his organisation has been working with the churches for a long time. “There is no doubt that current interfaith relationship has a great impact on our community cohesion,” he said.

Alabi said MAN (UK) and Southwark Inter-Faith Group considered the need to create a platform, during this Ramadan, “for reflecting upon the Twinning relationship between the Mosque and St Philips and St Peters churches and create a platform to promote unity, peace, compassion and harmony for all, as enjoined in Islam.”

[Photo: Nigerian Muslims at the iftar event with Archbishop of Canterbury at Old Kent Road Mosque. Photographer: Ahmed J Versi/The Muslim News]

Archbishop Welby said he was not a stranger amongst Nigerians as he has been to Nigeria for more than 90 times, most of them before he became an Archbishop.

He was impressed with Muslims “for their discipline and fasting in Ramadan.”

“In what you do, you are a witness not only to Islam through your prayer and dedication but you also are a witness to the importance of faith in a country where the majority have forgotten that faith matters. Thank you for your observance in Ramadan, you bless the whole country,” Welby said.

The Archbishop said the UK was better “because of the presence of diversity. You are a blessing to us all.”

He said the diversity “is exciting and full of life and that life has come from those who have come to this country.”

Even though Muslims and Christians differ on very important issues of faith “we can be an example, we can differ without hatred, we can love one another.”