By Shola Abayomi.
The United States have honored a Nigerian Muslim cleric, Abubakar Abdullahi, with the US International Religious Freedom Award for risking his life to save 262 Christians from herdsmen attack.
The 83-year-old chief Imam of Nghar village mosque, hid the fleeing Christians in his mosque and home during the June 2018 clashes in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a video shared by the State’s department on Twitter, Abdullahi was honoured alongside other recipients of the award from Cyprus, Sudan, Brazil, and Iraq.
Imam Abubakar Abdullahi of #Nigeria selflessly risked his own life to save members of another religious community, who would have likely been killed without his intervention. #IRFAwards @USEmbassyAbuja pic.twitter.com/pObSlkvgFU
— Department of State (@StateDept) July 17, 2019
The U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, hailed the Nigerian and other recipients of the award.
He said: “I’m especially honoured tonight to share the stage with the men and women who have demonstrated how much each one of us is capable of in advancing this noble shared cause.
“If the future of religious freedom rests on solid ground, it’s because of people who are sharing the stage with me tonight.
“To say that each of them is brave is a gross understatement. To say their work is tough does not go nearly far enough.”