The Sultan and The Saint Movie Week was organized by Ufuk Dialogue in collaboration with the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, it took place at Nile University of Nigeria Conference Hall between 29th and 31st of July 2019. A total of 380 spectators participated in the three-day event. In addition, Essay competition was organized during the Movie Week and On Wednesday 4th September 2019, an award ceremony was held for the winners of the Essay Competition of the Sultan and the Saint.
Among the participants are the likes of Fr. Joseph Nomhwange, the Director Missions and Dialogue, Catholic Secretariat on Nigeria and Fr. Gregory Obanaedo from the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria. Pastor Stephen Abogonye and Pastor Garba Umaru From the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), from the Islamic Research and Da’wa Foundation (IRDF) MR. Musa Yusuf. Participants also came from organizations such as Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), House On The Rock, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Islamic Youth League, Islamic Research and Da’wa Foundation, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, Islamic Education Trust, Nigeria Catholic Lawyers, Young Catholic Students (YCS), Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Christ Miracle Church and Mission, Family Worship Centre and Nigeria Christian Widows Association.
The Movie Week received a lot of positive feedbacks from the participants, in general, they commended the efforts and suggested that the movie should be dubbed and reproduced int the main Languages of Nigeria like Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin for a more re-enforced impact on the masses. Some suggested the movie to be taken to and shown at schools, churches and mosques for greater audience. But standing out among others is the comments by some participants Barr. Muhammad Sarki Abubakar, Co-President Interfaith Youth Network of Nigeria tasked the religious leaders in our community to emulate the compassion of the Sultan so that tomorrow other cannot use his actions to mobilize people against him. In his words: “As a leader, the Sultan was at a crossroad of decisions one way is that the opposition is weak and he could annihilate them. On the other hand, he can let them live and show compassion and mercy. Thus, even if they are asked to come and fight, they will say no. If today our leaders emulate this not only by words but by action, it will be a game-changer in the quest for peace in our country”.
Some mentioned how they have new perspectives about Muslims after watching the movie, some stressed the need for oneness as that which afflict them is the same thing that afflicts the Muslims also, just like we inhale the same air, drink the same water, live on the same earth we share the same pain and terrors. And others charged the participants to be active ambassadors of peace, that they should start from themselves and then to the society at a large.
