The newly appointed Cardinal and Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, said last night there was no alternative to Muslims and Christians living together in Nigeria and that he would not stop his relationship with Muslims including breaking the Ramadan fasting with them.

Speaking when he received members of the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society of Nigeria led by its Director and Chief Imam, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi at his residence, the former Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), said many Christians approved his relationship with Muslims in Nigeria and across the world to foster peace and harmony and that God is also happy hence his elevation to Cardinal position.

He also said the NIREC was not formed by the government but by some leaders of both faiths which included himself and late Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido and late Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite as a child of necessity to douse tension in the country.

Adeyemi, who read the 'letter of congratulations' signed by the Secretary of the society's Shuurah Council, Alhaji O. A. Abdulganiyyu, said, "We received with joy the news of your elevation to the esteemed position of Cardinal by the Catholic Pontiff, His Holiness, Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (The Pope Benedictus XVI). The news did not come to us as a surprise considering your unprecedented record of peace making and quality leadership."