For more than 65 years, the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) has been promoting religious freedom for all and the peaceful coexistence of people from across religious divides in Africa. This is realised through various programmes, including the Freedom for Religion or Belief (FoRB), which PROCMURA has been implementing for several years across Sub-Saharan Africa.

As part of the programme’s mission of promoting cultural and religious freedom in Africa, PROCMURA organised and hosted a series of cultural diversity celebrations in Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania. These events celebrated Africa's rich cultural and religious practices and were key to implementing the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) project in Sub-Saharan Africa.

PROCMURA’s cultural diversity celebrations in these three countries were designed to promote mutual understanding, respect, and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, particularly Christians and Muslims, cultural practices, and beliefs. The celebrations underscored the need and importance of celebrating our differences instead of using them as dividing factors in our society.

In Nigeria, a country where religious tensions between the predominantly Muslim North and Christian South have often led to violent conflicts, the cultural diversity celebration which took place on April 8, 2024, was particularly significant. The event attracted religious leaders, community members, and representatives from various ethnic groups. Participants explored shared values and traditions that transcend religious differences through music, traditional dances, and discussions.

One of the highlights of the celebration in Nigeria was the collaborative performance of traditional songs from both Christian and Muslim communities, which showcased the power of music to bring people together.

The event concluded with interfaith interactions, during which religious leaders underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and respect for religious freedom.

In Kenya, a country with a history of religious pluralism, the event celebrated the cultural and religious diversity that characterises its population. The June 14, 202024 event brought together people from different ethnic backgrounds and Christian and Muslim communities from various parts of the country to share their cultural heritage through art and dance.

The Kenyan celebration also served as a platform for discussing issues related to religious freedom and the importance of upholding the principles of FoRB.

In Tanzania, the event which happened on April 30, 2024, focused on celebrating and promoting religious freedom and differences, particularly in the coastal regions where Islam and Christianity are the predominant religions. The celebration featured various cultural performances, including Swahili poetry and traditional dances.

Religious leaders from the region participated in discussions emphasising the need to protect religious freedom and foster peaceful coexistence. They reflected on the historical interfaith cooperation in Tanzania, citing it as a model for other African nations. The cultural diversity celebration in Tanzania highlighted the country’s vibrant cultural heritage and reinforced the fact that cultural and religious diversity and mutual respect are key to achieving sustaining peace in the region.

The cultural diversity celebrations organized by PROCMURA in Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania were part of the broader Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) project. The project aims to promote and protect the right to religious freedom across Sub-Saharan Africa, which has experienced religious tensions and conflicts. The events served as a reminder that religious freedom is a fundamental human right that must be upheld in all communities.