ABSTRACT
This work examines the History of
Muslims-Christian activities among Nigerians. Contrary to the
claims of secularization proponents, religion’s influence remains pervasive
today. However, it is frequently associated with conflict around the world,
with that conflict often involving Christians and Muslims. Hence, there is
reason to ask if religion itself is actually the cause of such conflict.
Building on the thinking of Kazemipur (2014), Putnam and Campbell (2012), and
Huntington (1993), this research investigates the role of structural factors in
understanding the relatively peaceful relations between Christians and Muslims
in Nigeria. An examination of national survey data and interviews with
Christians and Muslims from Nigeria underlines the importance of social,
economic institutional, and media factors in accounting for the dominant kind
of relations that characterize Christian-Muslims relations. The findings have
potentially important implications for religious harmony and conflict well
beyond only Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of Study
On January 29, 2017, a masked gunman
entered a Quebec City mosque where evening prayers had just begun. Men were
praying on the ground floor of the building while women and children were
upstairs. The gunman opened fire and killed six people and injured another
eighteen – five critically. The immediate response of many was “that something
like this doesn’t happen in Canada.” What took place in New York City and
Washington on September 11, 2001 remains firmly in the memories of everyone,
where the violence was directed toward non-Muslims. 1 Across the world,
violence involving religious fanatics – frequently Christians and Muslims – has
been particularly common in recent years. Locales have included Pakistan,
Turkey, Burma, Indonesia, Bali, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, the Philippines, and
the Central African Republic (Juergensmeyer, 2001). Yet, in some settings,
including the sub-Saharan country of Ghana, Muslims and Christians seem to
co-exist relatively peacefully. The situation stands in sharp contrast to
neighboring Nigeria, where highly-publicized conflict between the two groups
has been intense (Langer, Mustafa, & Stewart, 2007). There consequently is
much value in getting a clearer understanding of why Christian-Muslim relations
are highly positive in one setting and negative in the other and this is the
focus for policy makers in both countries to get new insights into the pattern
of relations between Christians and Muslims, and to learn from the strengths
and shortcomings in both contexts. Further to that, this research could further
our understanding of the relationship between religion, violence and peace
which can be extrapolated to any number of other settings across the world
where such knowledge is of the essence.
Certain periods in history have seen
harmonious coexistence between Christians and Muslims. Even though there were
times of conflict over issues such as territories and religious sites, the
period between the 7th century and the beginning of the 10th century in Islamic
Spain, otherwise, known as Al-Andalus, epitomised the golden-age of peaceful
cohabitation. This period saw improved cordial relationships between Christians
and their Islamic rulers which was beneficial to all involved (Vaughan, 2003).
However, if we fast forward to the 20th and 21st century, violent encounters
between Christians and Muslims have taken place in countries such as Indonesia,
Egypt, and Lebanon (Juergensmeyer, 2001). In parts of Syria and Iraq, members
of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria have persecuted Christians, burnt down their
churches and threatened to sell their Christian girls into slavery (“Syria War:
Isis”, 2016).2 Thus, it seems certain that Christian-Muslim relations has been
one of the most persistent threat to world peace in recent times.
In Africa, Christian-Muslim relations
over time have ranged from tolerance to deadly clashes (Frederiks, 2010). These
two extreme scenarios have characterized in Nigeria.
1.2 Statement
of the Research Problem
The basic factor that necessitated this
research is to examine the activities of the two major religions of Nigerians.
The researcher will establish the transformation that occurs among the
religions and the coming of Islam and Christianity to the area within the
period of this study and the level of its consciousness among the people.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
This study seeks
to:
1) examine
the past and present of Christian-Muslim relations in Nigeria
2) explore
the main levels, issues and models of Christian- Muslim activities
1.4
The Research Instrument
A multi-method approach is used in this
study. Information about the history of Christian- Muslim relations and Akan
traditional values were obtained by using available literature. The literature
included books and articles in libraries, archives and local newspapers. Official
documents such as constitutions, handbooks, working papers and profiles of
religious groups, organizations and denominations were also used.
1.5 Research Hypothesis
i.
when the social contract between the
State and its members is broken, religion replaces nationality as a primary
source of identification.
ii.
religious differences are basic,
fundamental and divisive
iii.
better and equal economic opportunities
for both Christians and Muslims will enhance the relationship between and
reduce the feeling of deprivation and or resentment among religious minorities.
iv.
differences in access to political
power, education, justice and health among Christians and Muslims could be the
bedrock of prolong conflicts”.
1.6 Significance of Study
A publication of The
Pew Research Forum (2015) indicated that Christianity and Islam will make up
just over 60% of the world population by the year 2050, with near parity in
numbers: an estimated 2.8 billion Muslims and 2.9 Christians. Given these
projections, the importance of how these religions relate to one another cannot
be more adequately emphasised. Although other religions should also be
considered as major role players on the world scene, none of the others have
the comparative significance that Christianity and Islam have. As the document
‘A Common Word Between Us and You’ (A Common Word 2007) states in its opening
lines: Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world’s
population. Without peace and justice between these two religious’ communities,
there can be no meaningful peace in the world.
If the history of
conflicts between these two religions is anything to go by, there is seemingly
no alternative outcome. Yet in recent years there has been a growing sense of
urgency amongst religious leaders from both sides for the need to foster common
ground and better understanding of each other for the sake of all humanity. The
importance of studies like these is their invaluable contribution to global
dialogue, given that Christianity and Islam make up the majority of the world’s
population. These brief observations mark our respective histories of conflict
directed towards each other.
1.7 Scope of Study
The study focuses on
the history of Muslim-Christian activities with Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State as a
case study. Though several religious groups exist in Ankpa Local Government Area, the study is intended
to focus on Christian-Muslim relations among the people
1.8 Limitation of Study
A study of the
history Christian-Muslim relations in Ankpa Local Government Area cannot intend to explore all the
issues involved. It also does not do a mere descriptive study of the two
religions but to study these religions from the point of view of relationships.
It focuses mainly on the practical ways Christians and Muslims engage one
another in their daily lives and will try as much as possible to avoid
theological controversies
1.9 Definition of Terms
History: The
study of past events, particularly in human affairs
Relation: The way in which
two or more people or things are connected; a thing’s effect on or relevance to
another.
Tolerance: The ability or
willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one
dislikes or disagrees with.
Muslims: are people who follow
or practice Islam, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion.
Christians: are
people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a
monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ