wfn.org | Christians, Muslims Discuss Shariah Implications in Northern Nigeria

["Frank Imhoff" <Frank.Imhoff@elca.org>]

Christians, Muslims Discuss Shariah Implications in Northern Nigeria 
Grassroots' Involvement Crucial in Reconciliation, LWF Study Team Told

JOS, Nigeria/GENEVA, 30 March 2005 (LWI) * "Muslims will always demand
Shariah (Islamic law) wherever they find themselves, but it will never
apply to Christians." A Muslim scholar from southern Nigeria made these
remarks during a conference on Christian-Muslim relations held in Gusau,
the capital of Zamfara State, the first state to introduce Shari'ah in
northern Nigeria in 1999. Later, eleven other states followed the
Zamfara example and applied Shariah criminal laws.

"Shariah and Christian-Muslim Relations in Nigeria: The Way Forward,"
was the theme of the meeting, the sixth in a series organized by the
Association of Christian-Muslim Mutual Relations in Nigeria, in
conjunction with the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and
the Zamfara State Government. Rev. Dr David L. Windibiziri, retired
archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) is
president of the association that was established in 1992. 

The March 1-5 conference was the first to be co-hosted by the state, an
indication of increasing engagement of politicians and religious leaders
in issues that relate to religious co-existence. Over 80 Christians and
Muslims including imams, bishops and pastors from different Christian
denominations, scholars from several universities, representatives of
religious organizations and media workers from all over Nigeria attended
the conference. Also participating were five members of the Lutheran
World Federation (LWF) Christian-Muslim study team on the role of
religion in conflicts.

There were presentations by theologians from both religions. Members of
the  LWF "Christian-Muslim Dialogue: Conflict and Peace" study team also
listened to and learned from a variety of discussions and interviews
with participants from areas in northern Nigeria that had been affected
by conflicts and crises between Christians and Muslims since 1990. 

After the conference until March 13, the team comprising a Christian and
Muslim representative each from Denmark, Indonesia, Nigeria and the
United States of America, was also able to gain insight into the
problems connected with the implementation of Shariah, especially in the
northern states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Bauchi, and the concern this had
created among Christians. Some Christians feared that an Islamic state
would eventually be declared, resulting in the elimination of
Christianity.

The study team's meetings with politicians, Christian and Muslim leaders
and community members in Abuja, Bauchi, Gusau, Jos and in Adamawa State
where the Lutheran church is widespread, somewhat explained the
complexity of the situation. The violent conflicts that had taken place
in northern Nigeria in recent years were not spontaneous as earlier
conflicts, but had been well prepared, often with support from outside
the country. Poverty, unemployment, corruption and feelings of neglect
and exclusion from power and decision-making positions appeared to be
the primary causes, while ethnicity and religion were used to fuel the
conflicts. 

Grassroots Involvement Crucial for Reconciliation Processes

Christian and Muslim organizations have often been involved in several
initiatives aimed at securing peace and harmony in the country, and the
two LWF member churches in Nigeria, the LCCN and Lutheran Church of
Nigeria have played a central role in such processes. But there is
concern about political involvement.

"The process of reconciliation and peace building has been stolen by
politicians and media from the people who are suffering. It must be
given back to the grassroots," said Rev. Gopar Barnabas Topkida,
director of the Mennonite Central Committee local peace program. Topkida
who works with community groups and organizations to create bridges of
understanding and develop peace building skills especially in and around
the Jos area, particularly criticized televised peace conferences
involving politicians, that started and ended with a Christian and
Muslim prayer. 

Reconciliation and healing of deep wounds in Christian-Muslim relations,
the causes of conflicts and overcoming conflicts have been the focus of
the LWF Christian-Muslim study process not only in Nigeria but also in
Indonesia and Denmark, and later this year in two workshops in the
United States of America. The findings of the process carried out
through the LWF Department for Theology and Studies will be published at
the beginning of 2006. (677 words)

(Contributed by LWF study team member, Prof. Lissi Rasmussen from
Denmark.) 

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138
member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a membership of
nearly 66 million Christians. The LWF acts on behalf of its member
churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith
relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights,
communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work.
Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service.
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