Thus, as you see, the religious crisis is a disagreement between two groups of different religions that struggle against coherent existence without themselves. (II) A Common Word (2007): The A Common Word Initiative started as an Open Letter from 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals to the leaders of the Christian faith as an irenic response to H.H. Tags: Religious Crisis In Nigeria Solutions and Causes of Religious Crisis In Nigeria. The headquarter of Shia is Zaria where the leader lives with his family. A more reserved way of life expresses a theology that links local beliefs to a centrally placed government and its sovereignty over the neighborhood or communities through the monarch, the king.[119]. [23][24][25] Northern Nigeria has also been the site of ongoing Islamist insurgency which has led to the death and displacement of tens of thousands of people. Bac Obiefuna. Here we briefly examine the root causes of the religious crisis in Nigeria and how they can be mitigated. The farmers-herdsmen conflict is another crisis that has a religious undertone in Nigeria. In recent times, there has been break out of religious crises in the ancient city of Kano with scores of Christians dead and their properties destroyed. Article 10 of the Constitution states that The Government of the Federation or a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion. [21] However, twelve Muslim-majority northern states have incorporated Sharia courts into their legal systems with the power and jurisdiction of these courts waxing and waning over the past two decades. Such conflicts have caused many lives and properties to perish. 3 It will be noted that the diplomatically unprecedented central phrase of the World Interfaith Harmony Week resolutionLove of God and Love of the Neighbour, or based on Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour, each according to their own religious traditions or convictionsexcludes no one, of any religion or of no faith at all: every person of good will, with or without faith can and should commit to Love of God and Love of the Neighbour or Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour. H.H. Both organisations sponsoring the delegation have a considerable history in, and commitment to, inter-religious dialogue and cooperation. on. Religious motivated conflicts have become widespread in Nigeria, a nation considered by many to be one of the most religious nations of the world. There were cases of crisis between Christians and Muslims in Kafanchan in southern Kaduna State, surprisingly led by a young, educated group of individuals who feared that the nation would not be able to protect their religious group. Each of the hundreds of ethnic groups in Nigeria have traditional belief systems that still have millions of follows throughout the country. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. [33] Islam was introduced to northern and central Nigeria in the Middle Ages as early as the 11th century and was well established in the major capitals of the region by the 16th century, spreading into the countryside and toward the Middle Belt uplands. ", "Nigerian Baptist Convention Entering Into Newness through Love and Unity", "Home - The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations - SCOAN - Prophet T.B. United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, 20th January, 2011, NY, NY. They were for the most part ritually and doctrinally identical to the parent church, although more African music, and later dance and dressage/vesture, entered and mixed with the imported church services. Poor youths are taken advantage of by people that want to cause chaos in the country. Joshua (General Overseer)", "Site of the Nigerian Baptist Convention", "RCCG The Official Website Of The Redeemed Christian Church of God", "Living Faith Church Worldwide - Official Website", "Home - First Pentecostal Church | Christ Apostolic Church", "Deeper Christian Life Ministry your spiritual welfare is our concern", "ECWA Website Official Website of ECWA", "Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries | Deliverance, Spiritual Warfare and Prayers", "Christ Embassy | Giving your life a meaning", "The Commonwealth Of Zion Assembly The Wealthy Place". Others are rooted clearly in socio-economic This increases creativity and engages youths. To identify areas or projects where religious institutes, persons, texts, or messages can help ameliorate the situation in Nigeria. H.E. 2. It is no more novel, it is rather full time job of many a good Nigerians. The persistent religious conflicts and insecurity in Nigeria has given meaningful Nigerians a cause for deep concern in recent times. Conclusion: The Potential Contribution of the WCC and RABIIT to Nigeria, as a Result of this Visit p.13. Subsequent decades have seen the problem worsen, and insurgencies and new conflicts arise. This can be due to an increase in the population of the other religious group. By and large, Protestantism particularly the Pentecostals, Apostolic and evangelicals constitute the major Christian population of Nigeria from the late 1990s to the present. Introduction Religion could serve, and has indeed served as an instrument of social harmony in many civilisations. The riot lasted two weeks, from September 7 to September 17, and about 1000 people were killed, with at least 50,000 persons displaced. WCC and RABIIT also plan, God willing, to try to ensure that this common statement makes its way into Nigerian school and university religious and civic curricula. The ecclesiastical provinces of the Church of Nigeria are: Lagos, Ibadan, Ondo, Bendel, The Niger, Niger Delta, Owerri, Abuja, Kaduna and Jos. Widespread poverty. Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, 2010. [73][74][75] According to a 2011 Pew report, over 80 million Nigerians are Christians. By the 1980s adherents were back in even greater numbers, and a number of new churches had been built. In addition to ensuring access to, and the continual fertility of, both land and people, seasonal festivals act as a spectacle for "tourism" contributing to regional productivity. The 1980s witnessed an upsurge of religious crisis in Nigeria. Many Sunni Muslims are members of Sufi brotherhoods or Tariqa. 4. Abdulkadir, Abubakar, A Diary of Ethno-Religious Crises in Nigeria: Causes, Effects and Solutions (August 22, 2011). Many of them wonder why religion which used to be the cohesive factor and core of national unity, peaceful co-existence and national development has become a tool for political manipulation, endobj African beliefs that sorcery and witchcraft are malevolent forces against which protection is required are accepted; rituals are warm and emotional, stressing personal involvement and acceptance of spirit possession. Democracy and Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria The fraternity is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. [30] The 2008 MEASURE Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) found 53% Muslim, 45% Christian, and 2% other; the 2008 Afrobarometer poll found 49% Christian, 50% Muslim, and 1% other; Pew's own survey found 52% Muslim, 46% Christian, and 1% other. 4. Causes of religious crisis. In recent years RABIIT (or its Chairman, H.R.H. This page was last edited on 24 June 2023, at 20:55. The criticisms offered by Hsu et Al (2008) have been supported by evidence found by Nigeria Mckinnon (2020), which demonstrated that the WCD had substantially overestimated the Anglican proportion of the population. The Most Revd Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, President of the Christian Council of Nigeria, was an invited guest of the joint delegation and spoke at supper. Suggested Citation, Department of Islamic studies, Faculty:HumanitiesUmaru musa Yar'adua UniversityKatsina, Katsina 2218Nigeria+2348120163710 (Phone), Political Behavior: Race, Ethnicity & Immigration Politics eJournal, Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic, We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content. agriculture, mining due to the focus since independence on Nigerias oil wealth, Land disputes, and lack of clearly demarcated grazing grounds for the nomadic Fulani cattle herders, Lack of assistance of the part of government to victims of violence housed in refugee camps to enable them to re-establish normal life, A pervading sense of fear due to insecurity and instability, The undermining and underfunding of traditional social tribal and ethnic leaderships by the state and federal government, Residual tensions from the Biafra war particularly between the Hausas and the Igbos, Tribal and ethnic disputes and cultural tensions, The undervaluing of the role of women, particularly in conflict resolution. Religious and Political Crises in Nigeria: A Historical Exploration We bear witness that we believe that both Christianity and Islam are religions which long for peace, and that in both our faiths love of God and love of our neighbour must belong together. CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATIONS In the course of the discourse, the debate as to the relationship between religion and ethnicity is pertinent. [27] In a 2019 report released by Pew Research Center in 2015, the Muslim population was estimated to be 50% while the Christian population was estimated to be 48.1%. Religious conflict is a problem that should be tackled before another global holy war emerges. Abstract. It established the first week of February every year as an officially observed World Interfaith Harmony Week. Among the Yoruba, the traditional Yoruba belief system, known as centers around the belief in a Supreme being known as Olodumare, a complex system of divination known as Ifa, as well as deities associated with nature known as orisha. However, it requires the unity of the government, administrative organs, and inhabitants of a country. [22] In some of these states, sharia courts are optional arbitration courts for personal status issues whereas, in others, Sharia has effectively replaced the formerly secular state level legal system in both civil and criminal contexts. Ethnic and Religious Conflict in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria: A PDF Religious Crises in Nigeria: Manifestation, Effect and The Aw Y Forardw 2 0 obj Fear of domination : Religious crisis can also come about when it seems the dominant religious group in a particular area is afraid of domination by the another. Causes of religious crisis. Ethno Religious Crisis in Nigeria: Causes endobj In summary, the joint delegation believes that the primary causes of the current tension and conflict in Nigeria are not inherently based in religion but rather, rooted in a complex matrix of political, social, ethnic, economic, and legal problems, among which the issue of justiceor the lack of itlooms large as a common factor. [126][127], Hinduism spread to Nigeria mainly by immigration of Hindus from India and of Hare Krishna Missionaries. The majority of the Nigerian population either follows Christianity or Islam. This could help raise the profile for the need for assistance from all quarters, before the problem explodes even further. Poor people have little or no access to proper education. Christianity in Yoruba area traditionally has been Protestant and Anglican, currently Protestant Pentecostal/evangelicals, whereas Igboland has always been the area of greatest activity by the Roman Catholic Church with current infusions of Protestantism. The findings in the study revealed that lack of political representation, discrimination, marginalization, neglect, poverty, unemployment, identity, and elite manipulation were the major causes of the crisis. Religious conflicts in Nigeria are prevalent, owing to a number of reasons. Among these was the Aladura (prayer) movement that was spreading rapidly throughout Yoruba land and into the non-Muslim middle belt areas. The objectives of this study are to explain the root causes of ethnic conflicts that lead to ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria and to evaluate the magnitude of human and material resources destroyed as a result of such conflicts. perennial religious conflicts in northern Nigeria. [T]he more recent A Common Word letter . Denominations like the Seventh-day Adventist also exist. Boko Haram has been an increasing threat to national security since 2008. com): 1. Fear of domination and intolerance are key causes of religious conflicts in Nigeria: Religious crises can also come about when it seems the dominant religious group in a particular area is afraid of domination by the other. Poverty: The high rate of poverty is a common cause of the religious crisis. We hope by our visit to demonstrate an international model of Muslims and Christians working together in inter-religious engagement aimed at fostering peace and harmony between people of different religions. Also, during this period, Jehovah's Witnesses began their missionary work in Nigeria and soon spread throughout the country[117][118]. Prince Judge Bola Ajibola; Founder and Chairman, Crescent University, 3. }P!Ly+E>|00RZ0\\HV. Lack of education:Where the people are not educated, they can easily be brainwashed into causing religious conflict. Most of these pitted Muslims against Christians and, in some cases, the conflicts were . Findings showed that religious crises are endemic in Nigeria in the last two decades. They commonly preach peaceful co-existence and do not sympathize with Islamic extremism. ALSO READ: What is racism, its history and how does it affect individuals? Job Creation: Youths should be taught how to start up their own business. WCC and RABIIT also plan, God willing, to try to ensure that these texts make their way into Nigerian school and university religious curricula. Without these efforts the visit would not even have possible, and without the continuation of these efforts there will never be interfaith harmony in Nigeria, and nothing non-Nigerians do will meet with success. Also, Government Girls Science and Technical College schoolgirls were abducted in 2018. Nigeria as multi-cultural and multi-religious country has two major Encourages all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the worlds Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, Temples and other places of Worship during that week based on Love of God and Love of the Neighbour, or based on Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions; 4. We are a delegation of Muslims and Christians from a number of countries around the world, with senior roles in our respective religious communities. Notable examples are the Izala movement,[45][46] the Shia movement, and many local Islamic sects that have limited expansion. Religious leaders have traditionally contested political space with other actors and continue to do so. An assessment of these crises, as well as their effects on the socio-economic fabric of Nigeria will be carried out, in a view to profer solutions. Government should also establish or encourage bodies for equal rights for all ethnic groups and their religions where constructive dialogue can take place to move the nation forward. This specifically refers to the imperative for partners in dialogue to be empowered to join in a common pursuit of justice, peace and constructive action for the good of all people. Since its Assembly in Porto Alegre in 2006, a particular focus of the inter-religious work of the WCC has been in the area of peace and reconciliation. [131] The ideative field of activity with its Hours of Worship and Grail Festivals, lecture events, readings, discussion evenings, seminars, events for children and young people, art exhibitions, concerts and more besides, comprises the actual activity of the Movement. The reasons for this are not far-fetched: the state exists to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of its citizenry and this cannot be achieved in the absence of law and order (Egbefo & Salihu, 2014). The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought (RABIIT) is an international Islamic non-governmental, independent Institute headquartered in Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. [80], The Nigerian Baptist Convention claims about three million baptized members. After several attempts to make the government stop, the crusade failed, and a riot was instigated that led to about 500 to 2000 lives lost and many properties destroyed. religious crisis in Nigeria from independence till date. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Zak Ajibola (Prince Ghazis Office); Barr. Therefore these comments are based on a mixture of personal observation, conversations with individuals and groups while in the country, and research done before, during and shortly after the visit. This is to ensure adequate protection of lives and property. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said of it: I lend my full support to this call and we, at the UN, are proud to be the platform for its launch. In what follows, however, the WCC and RABIIT will say what they intend to do to help; bearing in mind that resolving some smaller problemsespecially problems that seem theologically-drivencan help make the larger problems of which they are a part, less intractable and more easily manageable. [128], Altogether including Nigerians of Indian origin and NRIs there are 250,000 Hindus in Nigeria. This major factor led to the Biafra secession and the resulting civil war. [33] For example, members of Sufi orders, members of the Jamaatul Izalatul Bidah Waikhamatul Sunnah (or Izala) movement, and members of Boko Haram might all identify as Sunni, but the Izala and Boko Haram movements have had strong anti-Sufi components. greatest victims of religion crisis because they are harbingers of all possible religions. Karl Marx says, religion is the opium of the people. Religion was designed to give hope to the masses, especially the weak and oppressed, who hope they will get their just reward after their sojourn on earth. Islam also came to South Western Yoruba-speaking areas during the time of Mansa Musa's Mali Empire.[43]. The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of more than 350 Christian churches. Proffering Solutions. Religious Conflicts in Nigeria: Between Secularism and State Preference [92], There are over 300,000 Early Pentecostal Apostolic Churches parishes in Nigeria having about 4.2 million adherents. Is there any way out? Lets find out! Ethnic and religious issues form part of the most recurring phenomena in Nigeria's body politics. The gunmen who killed 50 people at a . September 19, 2022. The resolution itself reads as follows (see: www.worldinterfaithharmonyweek. <> This paper is intended to examine the causes of ethno- religious crisis in Nigeria and its remedy from Islamic perspectives. It is often argued that a religious crisis is more political than religious. It is a complex matter that was formed under pressure of opposed religious groups, a lack of knowledge and administrative regulations. [77], The leading Protestant churches in the country are the Church of Nigeria of the Anglican Communion, The African Church, the Assemblies of God Church, the Nigerian Baptist Convention[78] and The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations. Professor Dr. Abdul Ghaffur El-Busaidy, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, 6. The issue has permeated the nation's political land scape since the colonial period and up till the present time, there seems to be no solution in sight to the accompanying conflicts of ethnic rivalry and religious intolerance. Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, Chair of Abuja FCT Council of Chiefs, The National Christian Centre hosted by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria. %PDF-1.5 [144] In some parts of Nigeria, there are even anti-blasphemy laws. PDF Religious Conflicts and Education in Nigeria: Implications for National Nigerian society today is undergoing . Professor Dr. Din Syamsudin, President of Muhammadiyah Party, Indonesia, 5. 5. While some victims are Muslims, the majority are Christians. 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex - Switzerland, Report on the inter-religious tensions in Nigeria, WCC, Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue hold annual meeting to strengthen collaboration, WCC sends greetings to all Muslims at Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, Religious and ethnic leaders appeal to Iraq president for equal rights to all citizens, At Living Together celebration in Bagdad, religious and ethnic leaders see with our own eyes what diversity means, Royal Jordanian Aal Al Bayt Institute (RABIIT). Princeton Law and Public Affairs Working Paper, Available at SSRN: If you need immediate assistance, call 877-SSRNHelp (877 777 6435) in the United States, or +1 212 448 2500 outside of the United States, 8:30AM to 6:00PM U.S. Eastern, Monday - Friday. They acknowledged that these in no way constitute all the exacerbating factors. It didnt end there. [52], Some Nigerian Muslims emphasize asceticism and mysticism and form Sufi groups called tariqas, orders, or brotherhoods. Mass Unemployment:Idle educated youths are also used as tools to wreak havoc. In the 21st century, we have terrorist organisations who are hellbent on exacting terror in the war for their faith. Estimates suggest 80-85 million Nigerians identify as Muslim (roughly 50% of the total population), of which the majority are probably Sunni (60 million), though this is not a unified identity and includes a wide variety of different viewpoints. Skabash! Religious Crisis in Nigeria : Causes and Solutions f. WCC and RABIIT mayif funds and interested and suitable partners are foundalso help to raise international awareness on the Nigeria issue, by organising a conference or by including the topic in major international conferences or forums on religious discourse. Tensions between the respective roles of the Federal government and State governments. <>>> What is racism, its history and how does it affect individuals? Requests the Secretary-General to keep the General Assembly informed of the implementation of the present resolution.3. Most of the people in the country are illiterate or have a poor amount of knowledge. [48][49] Shia Muslims make up between two and four million of Nigeria's population. ALSO READ: Corporate beggars: Tactics, likely places to encounter them. For the WCC, the delegation was a visible expression of the prayer it has dedicated itself to in the approach to its 2013 Assembly, God of life, lead us to justice and peace. The results obtained from the analysis of data shows that ethnic and religious crisis is a deadly threat to human existence and it significantly affects business activities in Jos metropolis . Problems arising from President Goodluck Jonathan continuing as President during the Northern unofficial quota of office (in the PDP ruling partys agreement) after the premature death of President Umaru, and the disputed question as to whether he is constitutionally allowed to seek a further term in elections in 2015. Nigerian Islam has become heterogenous with the springing up of many Islamic sects. Between 2001 and 2002, Nigeria witnessed some of its deadliest religious conflicts in history. The following specific projects have been agreed upon (the first three being specifically formulated to combat the purely religious aspects of the problems in Nigeria): a. WCC and RABIIT plan, God willing, to publish, separately, substantial volumes on the theology of peace in their respective religions and to publish them in Nigeria with Nigerian participation and, if possible, translate them into languages. Religion in Nigeria (known to be the most populous African country with a population of over 225 million as of 2022) is diverse. African churches were founded by small groups breaking off from the European denominations, especially in Yorubaland, where such independence movements started as early as the early 19th centuryinfluenced by American and British missionaries in early 1900s and stimulated by the great revival of the 1930s. H.G. [97] It has about 19 million members in Nigeria in 2005. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims, who live mostly in the north, and Christians, who live mostly in the south; indigenous religions, such as those . Since the establishment of its Sub-Unit of Dialogue with Other Living Faiths and Ideologies in 1971, it has had a significant and respected 40 year history of encouraging and assisting much of the Christian world in engagement with other faiths.
