Nigeria: Under One Roof - Muslims, Christians Worship Together

Ebenezer Edohasim

15 February 2010

It takes sober reflections by concerned Nigerians, on the periodic senseless killings of many people and destruction of properties worth billions of naira, in our country, over avertable religious conflicts, for any sincere person who loves peace to appreciate efforts of Prophet (Dr.) Samson Saka, founder/general overseer of Oketude Ministry, who has been maintaining peace between adherents of two major religions, (Christianity and Islam), for 20 years.

The Oketude Ministry, located in Ogudu, Lagos State, is a unique place, where Muslims and Christians worship together, expressing in all sincerity, the brotherly love which the two Holy books, Bible and Quaran preach about.

According to the founder of this ministry, Prophet (Dr.) Samson Saka, "the vision to bring mutual understanding between Muslims and Christians was revealed to me by Almighty God in 1989, when I went to Mecca to perform Hajj. I was in trance when God showed me pictures of religious intolerance in our country Nigeria, and then commissioned me to bridge the gap of misunderstanding between the two religions, in order to drastically reduce tension and avoidable killings, falsely in the name of God, by fundamentalists."

Before he received the calling, Prophet Saka was a renowned alternative medicine practitioner, who used various herbs to cure lots of ailments. He was highly respected and successful in herbal medicine practice that he became a household name, not only in Lagos, but all over the nation, and in some other parts of the world.

But that salient voice from, asked him to abandon traditional medicine business for His work, just as He asked Peter and others to jettison their fishing trade to come along with Him. Prophet Saka did not hesitate to preach the true message of God.

As he told this writer, "the beginning was very tough; because I was leaving a familiar terrain to a place I never had any training. However, since I was very sure that I did not call myself, but God did. I was sure that He would not let me down.

When he returned from Mecca, he summoned his assistants who were with him during the herbal ventures days, and told them about the new vision and mission. Some of them who believed in working for God followed him to start this ministry.

So when the mission eventually took off, membership was only a few people. But soon thereafter, the ministry started growing by the day. At present, according to founder, membership has grown beyond 5,000.

Lamenting over the spate of religious crisis and resultant killing of people and destruction of property in the country, Prophet Saks said: "A situation where people were slaughtered like fowls, all in the name of religion, was not acceptable to me and my ministry. If you take time to analyze issues critically, you will discover that religious crises have taken more lives in Nigeria than combined forces of HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal mortality and road accidents. Why must this carnage continue in the name of God, if we are truly worshipping him in spirit and in truth? The recent crises in Jos could have been averted if believers of both faiths had listened to the true message of God which my ministry has been using to let people understand that we are children of the same God, and will all give account of how we spend our lives here on earth whether as Muslims or Christians."

As part of the investigation, this writer worshipped in this unique ministry two times during their Sunday services, participated in their Wednesday midweek and miracle service, and equally observed their night vigil programmes. I found that every member was expected to have a copy of the Bible and the Quran respectively, during programmes. While the service lasted, preaching was drawn from both holy books, as chapters and verses were quoted and read, to bring the true message of God, which emphasized unification closer to adherents.

This writer also observed that there were no frictions of whatsoever during services, as the congregation happily turned to their Bible or Quran to read any verse the officiating minister referred to during services. As the service progressed, any member led by the Holy Spirit or the presiding officer could shout Praise thou Lord and the rest of the church will chorus Hallelujah. Then within minutes, another worshipper equally guided by the Holy Spirit could shout Allah Akbar, Allah. Akbar and the congregation equally responded, Allah Akbar.

Interestingly, nobody questioned why they must shout their religious slogan before each other, as they were convinced by the founder's vision of being children of the same Almighty God, and therefore should worship Him in togetherness.

Equally, to seek the presence of God and be filled with the Holy Spirit, the congregations sing both Christian hymns and Islamic songs meant to praise God to attract his presence and abundant blessings. Surprisingly, the ministry's spiritual counselors are seasoned pastors, Islamic Alfas and Imams, who also share the vision of unification of both religions by using their differences positively to unite them.

During the festivities of both religions such as Ramadan, Lent, E-del kabir, E-del fitir, Christmas or Easter, the members don't discriminate against each other, as they celebrate together, give thanks to God for making them see that particular festival. It is equally important to note that marriages are contracted without acrimony, as the couple chose the type of wedding ceremony they want, whether traditional, Islamic, Christian or mixture of all. Every member is expected to participate happily celebration, irrespective of the type of marriage chosen by the couple. The ministry parades a standard choir, whose members sing praises to God in both Islamic and Christian way.

Another special feature of this ministry is the concept of Oketude (Mount of losing bondage), a special praying ground located inside the auditorium of the ministry.

At this place, just like the special altars built by prophets of old like Ibrahim or Abraham, Samuel among others, it is a symbolic area where worshippers diligently seek the face of God, with fervent prayers going on most parts of the day.

It is believed that any prayer made to God in all sincerity in that special arena, shall be answered. This writer observed that those who came to pray moved round the Holy Altar seven times, as they poured out their hearts to God.

The ministry like most orthodox and Pentecostal churches is also involved in evangelism, aimed at converting new members to it fold. Prophet Saka however, lamented that, "it is not easy getting people with different belief to change their style and follow your way. Most times, some people think we are just involved in theatrical display, until they have one-on-one encounter with us, to see that we are serious in this spiritual revolution, and then, they are convinced."

As part of the ministry's evangelism, he has written about 15 books on both religions on how their believers could work together to serve their creator without rancor.

In his latest book titled: The True Message, It is Time, the prophet dwelt elaborately on the unity between Christians and Muslims, as he wrote that both Bible and Quaran are Holy books from God, therefore, the lessons therein should be taught to believers of both religions. The book cautioned clerics not to preach religion, but faith and belief in one God, who will judge everybody, whether Muslims or Christians.

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He quoted from the two Holy books to substantiate the fact that the books never encouraged the rage among adherents in some parts of the world, but preached oneness of God. The Holy Quaran, Chapter 3 verse84, says: "We believe in Allah, and in that which has been revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and in (the books) given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets, from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them; to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)"

And from the Bible, Mark Chapter 12 verse29-31, he said God still preached oneness of His existence when Jesus said, "Hear O! Israel, Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your hearts and with thy entire mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like namely this; thou shall love thy neighbors as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than this."

Muslims "must" unite all over the World
and pray for the appearance of al Mahdi (r.a.) the Savior of mankind
the descendant of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

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