The government has commended the many years of hard work and commitment towards peace and harmony between Christians and Muslims in the African continent, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said Thursday.

Mr. Musyoka noted Africa is well known as a continent of deeply religious people, saying it is a continent in which Christianity and Islam command the largest following.

He however, regretted that this plurality has occasionally fomented tension, sometimes leading to violent conflicts especially in circumstances where religion has been viewed by one group as a tool for subjugation and domination of others.

The Vice President made the remarks during the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Programme for Christians - Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) in Westlands, Nairobi.

Mr. Musyoka said that Christians and Muslims have a lot in common that unites them compared to what separates them.

"For instance, they all believe and recognize that there is only one God - the supreme and God to whom they pray for peace, good tidings, prosperity and mercies", he added.

The Vice President noted that PROCMURA's 50 years of work successfully assisted many of the churches in sub-Saharan Africa to appreciate the importance of positive tolerance and acceptance of religious plurality as an African heritage and to initiate, with Muslim communities forums for solving conflicts between adherents of the two faiths.

Mr. Musyoka cited the work done by organization in Sudan in the early 1990s as well as Sierra Leone and Liberia where it pioneered Christian and Muslim joint peace missions contributed significantly to the peace that is being enjoyed in those two countries.

"Let us remember that there can be no meaningful peace in the world unless there is peace between religions. More importantly, if Christians and Muslims - the largest religions in the world - are not at peace with each other, the world is unlikely enjoy peace", he said.

Also addressed were The PROCMURA General Adviser Dr. Johnson Mbillah, Amb.Bethwel Kiplag'at.

The anniversary was attended by delegates from US, Canada and Africa among other guests.

Later, the Vice President attended the funeral service for the late Amb. Pius Baraza Namachanja at Don Bosco Catholic Church, Upper Hill, Nairobi where he read a message of condolence on behalf of  President Mwai Kibaki.

Present were Minister for Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangula, Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi, MP Musikari Kombo, Ambassadors and other senior government officials.