Why we never experience crisis in Gindiri community — Paramount ruler

The paramount ruler and Sum-Pyem of Gindiri community of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Charles Mato Dakat, has explained why religious crisis has not penetrated his chiefdom despite many such crises experienced in the state.   The paramount ruler explained that when Christianity and Islam came to Gindiri, they were all pagans and […]

The paramount ruler and Sum-Pyem of Gindiri community of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Charles Mato Dakat, has explained why religious crisis has not penetrated his chiefdom despite many such crises experienced in the state.  

The paramount ruler explained that when Christianity and Islam came to Gindiri, they were all pagans and mostly relate to one another but with freedom to choose the religion to practice.  

He said: “Islam came with colourful offers that you can marry four wives. Those who believed in that, embraced Islam. When Christianity came, it restricted one to one wife. Those who believed in that accepted Christianity. All of us in Gindiri are the same people and we have been living together in peace.  

“There is no compulsion in religion. In each of our Muslim houses, there are Christians and in each of our Christian houses there are Muslims and we are all brothers. That is why if you talk of crisis, it is not in Gindiri,”  he added.  

The Sum-Pyem further said due to the understanding among the people of the chiefdom, whoever wanted to change his religion was  allowed to do so.  

“I am a Christian, if my son wants to become a Muslim, I will allow him. In this community, if the Muslims are doing any celebration we all attend. The same thing if the Christians are celebrating, all Muslims attend.   

“We first of all look at ourselves as one. We do not allow the issue of religion, which is a way to see God after death,  divide us.  We don’t force our children. We are all one,” he added.  

Benue/Plateau Trust correspondent reports that no religious crisis has been recorded in the area in the last 20 years of such crises in the state.