A Pastor Marrying A Muslim And Sending Her To Mecca — Pastor Emmanuel Simon Escorts Wife, Baby To Airport For Umrah

A Christian cleric, Pastor Emmanuel Simon, has set social media abuzz after revealing that he escorted his wife and their baby to the Abuja International Airport as they travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

In a post on his Facebook page that has since gone viral, Pastor Simon described himself as controversial for marrying a Muslim woman and supporting her Islamic pilgrimage.

“Just escorted mummy Jamal (my wife and baby) to Abuja international airport they are traveling to Saudi for Umrah… I know I am very controversial hahaha. A pastor marrying to a Muslim and sending her to Macca yes and yes, start throwing stones oooo hahaha. On the last day your deeds not your religion shall stand for you…. I AM HAPPY” he wrote.

The post, which has attracted 752 reactions and 338 shares, has sparked a wave of reactions, with many Nigerians praising the pastor for religious tolerance, love and mutual respect in marriage, while others expressed surprise at the interfaith union.

Reactions

One commenter, Abdulhamid Umar, said he completely understood the pastor’s point, noting that he himself is a Muslim happily married to a Christian.

“Emmanuel Simon, I completely understand your point, and I share the same sentiment. I am a Muslim who is happily married to a Christian, and I can confidently say that we respect each other’s faith. Everyone is free to practise and worship according to their beliefs, and I honestly don’t see why religion should become a reason for hatred, division or discrimination.”

“At the end of the day, we are all human beings created by the same Almighty God. Being a Muslim or a Christian should teach us love, kindness, compassion, humility and respect for one another, not hatred.”

“Let people worship God in their own way. Love your neighbour, do good, help the needy and live a life worthy of emulation. Nobody has a monopoly on God’s mercy, and nobody should appoint themselves the judge of another person’s faith.”

“I am comfortable with my religion, and I have no problem respecting yours. Peace, love and humanity should come first,” Umar added.

Another commenter, Kauna Kambai, hailed the pastor for love that goes beyond religion.

“Sir, no stone here ooo, na flowers we go throw for you! Pastor wey love pass religion, you be real man of God abeg! You escorted your wife and baby go airport for Umrah, that na love wey pass doctrine.”

“Na your deeds go stand for you for last day, no be religion. You don already pass the test.”

“God bless Mummy Jamal and baby for safe journey to Saudi, make Allah accept their Umrah, make dem come back with blessings wey go full this family.”

“I AM HAPPY FOR YOU TOO! You be my pastor, my brother, my controversial legend!” she wrote.

Austin John also described interfaith marriage as possible, sharing his own family experience.

“Wonderful! Interfaith marriage is possible. My father is a Muslim, while my mother is a Christian. Their union is a beautiful testament to religious tolerance, love and peaceful coexistence. I wish them safe journey mercy.”

Samson Danjuma, however, expressed surprise and asked the pastor to explain how the union happened.

“Wow this made me love you more… But did this happened sir? A Christian man marrying Muslim woman.”

“Because I was a Muslim lady and she insisted I must convert and that’s what made left her. Emmanuel Simon answer this,” he wrote.

Another commenter, Murtala Saleh, also urged caution, writing: “Let’s hear from the mumy Jamal first before I said sth, it may be different scenario.”