A Christian resident of Plateau State, Peter Ibrahim Gyendyeng, has built a Juma’at Masjid Mosque for Muslims in Gana Ropp community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state, in a gesture aimed at promoting unity and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims.
The mosque, which was recently commissioned, has been welcomed by members of the Muslim community, who described the initiative as a demonstration of inclusion and a powerful symbol of belonging.
The development comes against the backdrop of longstanding tensions and violence in parts of Plateau State, including Barkin Ladi, where relations between Christian and Muslim communities have faced significant challenges in recent years.
Gyendyeng, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Barkin Ladi/Bassa Federal Constituency, said the mosque was constructed primarily as a symbol of unity and a platform through which residents could continue to pray for peace and development.
Speaking during the commissioning, he explained that he deliberately chose to provide a permanent place of worship rather than simply give money to members of the Muslim community.
According to him, financial assistance could quickly be spent, but a worship centre would remain and continue to serve the community.
He said helping people was not only about giving them money but also about providing something they genuinely valued and could use for generations.
Gyendyeng said the mosque would provide Muslims in the community with a place where they could worship and pray for peace, development and the wellbeing of the country.
Muslims Welcome Gesture
The Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Ladan Gana Ropp, expressed appreciation for the project, describing it as unprecedented in the community.
He said the Muslim community was particularly pleased that Gyendyeng undertook the project despite no longer holding political office.
“Honestly, we were happy when he built the Mosque. He is not holding any political position now but was still able to do a project of this kind,” the Chief Imam said.
According to him, the community had not experienced a project of such nature before, adding that the mosque had given Muslims a greater sense of belonging.
He noted that while money given to the community could eventually be spent, the mosque would remain as a lasting legacy.
“If he gives us money, we will spend it and finish it, but this project, we will never forget it,” he said.
Mosque Becomes Symbol of Unity
The Chief Imam said the commissioning provided an opportunity for Muslims to pray for Gyendyeng, the Plateau State Government and Nigeria.
He also highlighted the significance of the participation of members of the Christian community at the event.
“During the commissioning, we all came together to pray for him, the state government, and the country at large,” he said.
He argued that gestures of this nature could influence people’s attitudes and help challenge negative perceptions between religious communities.
“People of this character can change others’ mindset towards unity and harmony,” he added.
Call for Peace and Tolerance
The Chief Imam used the occasion to call on Christians and Muslims in Gana Ropp and across Plateau State to embrace peace, unity and tolerance.
He stressed that peaceful coexistence was essential for the development of the community and the wider society.
The participation of pastors, reverends and other members of the Christian community at the mosque’s commissioning further underscored the interfaith character of the occasion.
The gathering brought members of both faiths together at a time when Plateau State continues to grapple with the consequences of communal and religious tensions.
A Different Kind of Community Support
The construction of the mosque also highlights how community support can go beyond direct financial assistance.
For Gyendyeng, providing a permanent place of worship represents a long-term contribution that can continue benefiting the Muslim community after his intervention.
The mosque is expected to serve not only as a place of congregational prayer but also as a visible reminder of the importance of coexistence among people of different faiths.
For the Muslim residents of Gana Ropp, the project has taken on an even deeper meaning, giving them what the Chief Imam described as a renewed sense of belonging.
A Message Beyond Barkin Ladi
The significance of the gesture extends beyond Gana Ropp, particularly given the history of religious and communal tensions in parts of Plateau State.
At a time when differences between communities can easily deepen mistrust, the involvement of Christian and Muslim residents in the commissioning offered an example of cooperation across religious lines.
Gyendyeng’s decision to build a mosque for Muslims demonstrates that community development initiatives can also serve as platforms for strengthening social relationships.
The event ultimately carried a broader message: that religious differences do not necessarily have to prevent people from supporting one another or working together for peace.
As residents continue to navigate the challenges of communal relations in Plateau State, the mosque in Gana Ropp stands as a physical structure with a wider social significance — a place of worship built by a Christian for Muslims, and a gesture intended to promote unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
