Nigeria's 'ungodly' fight for God... The case for Religious tolerance.
This morning, the Ecumenical News International, reported that Ibrahim Shekarau, Governor of Kano State was a guest at a Christian Church revival. This news struck me both with admiration for the Governor and a rethinking of the muslim-Christian divide in Nigeria. Of course, just one outreach from Shekarau is not enough to heal the wounds inflicted by incessant assault, thugery and killings of Christians in Northern Nigeria by Muslim extremists. But it is certainly a welcome overture by a Muslim of such stature. A lot of work still has to be done. Suspicions and distrust will need more practical overtures by the leadership in both religions as well as legislation and enforcement action by government that clearly sends the message that intolerance is not welcome.
But most importantly will be the general reorientation of the Nigerian population to "Live and Let Live". After all, and this is merely my own opinion, I don't think that I am big enough to fight for God... I say let God fight for himself. When more people come to the realization that the test of a true religion is how best it advances human life, living and general relationships; that in fact if you look hard enough without the distortions and often misinterpretations of the texts of the religious books by imams, preachers or other self-serving zealot, there is a lot of similarity in all of them. Add to that the fact that transcending all religions, all regions, and all political regimen, there is a commonality among people of the world... the shared desire to live in peace, the yearning for happiness and the preservation of family and heritage. Then add in the mix the fact that none of us had any choice as to what religion to be born into. Most people ordinarily adopt the religion or practice of their parents or whoever nurtured them. So why do we fight and argue which religion is predominant, true or false.
I am impressed that Shekarau accepted this invitation to preach at a Christian gathering. I will be watching and counting how many decades it will take for a muslim gathering to invite a Christian or professor of any other religion to be their guest. Here is a part of the reporting by ENI.
<"On 15 November 2009, a Sunday and the Christian Sabbath, Governor Shekarau attended a gathering in Kano organized by the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria.
"The governor's presence at the revival and his disposition is a watershed in the struggle to restore peace and religious harmony in northern Nigeria," said the general overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, who was a speaker at the meeting.
Hundreds of Christians have been killed in the past in anti-Christianity riots involving Islamic extremists in Kano, a predominantly Muslim state.
Nigeria's population is almost evenly divided between Christians, who live mainly in the south and Muslims, who make up the largest segment in the north.
Speaking in both English and the local Hausa language and making references to the Bible and the Quran, Shekarau maintained that both Islamic and Christian teachings are centred on love, good conduct and service to humanity.
"Living strictly by the teachings of the holy books, there should be no need for rancour or intolerance. Christians and Muslims ought not to fight one another," the governor stated.
Though he is one of the northern governors who presides over Islam's strict Sharia laws, Shekarau said his presence at the programme, "which was unthinkable years ago", was a demonstration of his administration's respect for people of all religious backgrounds.
"I am not only here to listen to your preaching but also to preach myself," Shekarau told the Christian gathering. "This is an inescapable reality about the progress we have made together to guarantee peace, love and religious tolerance.">
Dated this November 25th, 2009.
Charles-Lawrence Abiahu.
(Follow me on Twitter/Facebook @ Charles Abiahu)
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