He gave the charge in his Christmas message to the two faiths on Sunday at a lecture delivered during the organisation’s service at City Zawiah, Challenge, Ibadan.
“Identify yourself as light. Jesus came as Jesus but was later identified as light, hence Jesus Christ. You also have a name but the light found you and you are now identified as The Divine Light (TDL). This period exists to celebrate what you are which is The Divine Light of Allah,” he said.
The Muslim cleric added, “Christmas is a word which combines two things: Christ which also means light and love and mass, a word which means plenty. Therefore, Christmas is a period which signifies plenty of light and love, a period to give and receive joy and happiness.
“Do not worry about what will become of your future or let your past have a hold over you. Worrying about your children wouldn’t help you, instead rely on the one who takes care of you and be rest assured that he can also take care of them.
“There is No Power or Strength except by God. This is not a prayer; it is a declaration. You have to understand that only Allah can do all things. This is the greatest of wisdom. Whatever happens, because God willed it to happen.”
Akinbile, convener of the first interfaith conference in Nigeria, said it was time for both Muslims and Christians to live above sentiment and personal influence but reflect on the teachings of Prophet Isa or Jesus Christ which centres on the act of love, care and sharing.
“Churches and mosques were built before you came to the world to condition you. Every sermon on Friday or Sunday is to condition you to wear above-ankle length trousers, to keep beards and to eat with three fingers with the promise of heaven and if you don’t do that, you’ll go to hell. Unfortunately, you’ve accepted this level of conditioning.
“Prophet Isa came to put an end to this conditioning so that you may gain freedom. Great inventors like Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, etc. were dropouts from school. They avoided societal conditioning by withdrawing from the so-called learning institution. If a great and distinguished individual like Bill Gates didn’t take this action, you may not have the computer you have today.”
