Islam Versus Ethno-religious Crises

LESSONS NIGERIA MUST LEARN

With the unfortunate ethno–religious conflicts in Nigeria that seemingly remain unsolvable with significant population full of pessimism, we are courageously optimistic that the situation can normalize and the country stabilized if we learn from our counterparts.

Lebanon is an Arab country with significant Muslim/Christian population and other minorities that had experienced series of religious/sectarian crises but later the people resolved to be their brothers’ keepers. Even among the Muslims there are the Shia, Sunna and Druze. The Christians have also several denominations. They finally understood and accommodated their differences by appreciating each other. So Nigeria must do the same!

PUTTING ALL HANDS ON DECK

Numerous actors have a stake in promotion of the ethno-religious conflicts. Tribalism, manipulation of religious sentiments and regionalism are considered as chief reasons for our underdevelopment and causes of most crises in Nigeria. Misunderstanding arises as every ethnic group or religious inclination sees the other as rival that must be outraged by all means. To solve the predicament therefore, relevant stakeholders must play their roles as follow:

 GOVERNMENT

The government as an authority with the overall responsibility of seeing to the stability of its people must stand firmly on the establishment of justice. Therefore care must be taken to avoid any bias or sentimental trend in its approach to all conflicts and related matters. There is apparent lack of political will to address the situation squarely from the political elites.

Those at the helm of affairs in the government must have a sincere political will and take appropriate measures to end the crises judiciously for the country to move forward. They should be very careful as many measures fuel the crises rather than curb them.

And to curb the menace, the political power holders must punish perpetrators of such criminality justly so as to serve as deterrent to others and avoid reoccurrence as well.

THE SCHOLARS                 

Seemingly, the role of Muslim scholars and clergy is very influential. Generally speaking, Muslims tend to adhere to one scholar or the other. Statistically, the number of people that accepted Islam due to ethical touch of the noble messenger was incomparable to those that accepted after physical combats!

THE MEDIA

The role of the media as a stakeholder is very significant and the burden on its field workers, the journalists on whom the people rely for dissemination of information is unquantifiable. The need for public enlightenment at all levels for crises prevention and management and control cannot be overemphasized.

This must start from the grassroots and special programs should be organized with full participation of relevant stakeholders so as to achieve the desired goal.

The media should also design relevant programs for both Muslim and Christian participation as we witness in Lebanon, so as to promote the much needed mutual understanding and cordial relations.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

   The educational institutions as centers of learning should also play their relevant roles in this direction. Stakeholders should enlighten students, who are expected to influence other members of the society, in this way, as well as from among their families, friends and close relations. The curriculum designers may re-examine the template so as to come up with relevant general courses that can lead to the achievement of the desired goal.

In addition to that, some institutions like the federal unity schools and the national youth service corps should be encouraged with the hope of laying the solid foundation for societal growth.

TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS 

Traditional institutions have also a very important role to play in this direction. Emirs, kings, Obas, Obis and the likes have a lot of impact on their people.

 It is therefore very important that they should focus more attention on alleviating this undesirable predicament that hamper the overall socio–economic growth and well-being of the country.

NON - GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS

The non-governmental organizations have important roles to play and their approach must be multi–faceted in dimension.  These organizations should work strictly towards goal attainment through workshops, write–ups and media propagated programs.

Some organizations creditably tread the way in line with this. These include Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria and Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship. So also is the Christian/Muslim Alternative to Conflict. These really are right steps in the right direction.

MEASURES TO CURTAIL THE UNDESIRABLE MENACE

  To be fair, from 1966 – 1999, successive governments have apparently attempted to solve the problems by the introduction of some programs for reconciliation, unity schools, national youth service corps (NYSC), ethical revolution, war against indiscipline, national directorate of employment, better life program, war against indiscipline and corruption, national reconciliation, national rebirth and poverty alleviation program, etc.

However, to solve this problem finally, all stakeholders must actively play their roles, to the extent that all members of the society, especially the common man are thoroughly enlightened so that all will work to allow peace to reign!

CONCLUSION

We must keep in our minds that peaceful coexistence through good neighborliness, cordial relations and mutual respect is a collective responsibility to which all are tasked. All stake stakeholders must therefore put all hands on deck so as to achieve the desired objective.

Allah the most high states “You are the best community raised for the good of mankind. You enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong, and you believe in God”. Qur’an: 3:110.

And the messenger has said “take care! Each of you is a caretaker, and each of you shall be asked concerning what is under your care …….!”

In a prominent saying, the commander of the faithful, Imam Ali (as) said, “do not despise a human being; for he is either a brother to you in religion or a partner in creation”.