Clerics in Southern Nigeria hinges religious intolerance, conflicts on political manipulation, ignorance

By Editor

July 27, 2024

Religious leaders in Southern Nigeria have blamed ignorance and political manipulations for religious intolerance and conflicts in the country.

DailyMonitorngr reports that the religious leaders, who are from Edo, Ebonyi and Osun States were unanimous that if adherents of both Islam and Christianity had the full knowledge of both religions, there would be less religious intolerance and conflicts in the country.

These leaders made the submission in Benin City during a panel session at one-day Grassroots Sensitisation Programme  on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB) in Nigeria.

The event was organised by the National Human rights Commission, NHRC, lfor religious leaders from Edo, Ebonyi and Osun States.

The programme funded by King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz International Centre for inter-religious dialogue, KAICIID,  was organized in collaboration with the Kukah Center (TKC), Nasrul-lahi-l-Fathiu

Society (NASFAT). 

The religious leaders, who spoke at the panel session which were Alhaji Al-Ameen Alao, a Muslim scholar and Pastor Gabriel Odom, Agape Foundation, Ebonyi, however, advocated religion dialogue in the country to address religion conflicts and ensure peaceful coexistence among religious adherents.

Speaking Alhaji Al- Ameen Alao, called on leaders to encourage and promote religion tolerance through dialogue and coexistence.

According to him, political manipulation exacerbates religious intolerance while politicians sometimes exploit religious sentiments to gain power, deepening divisions. 

"Transparent governance and policies that promote inclusivity can mitigate these tensions and foster a more united society.

Alao stressed the need for community engagement and grassroots programmes that involve religious leaders in dialogue and cooperation to  build trust and understanding.

 

On his part, Pastor Gabriel Odom, Agape Foundation, Ebonyi State noted that illiteracy and ignorance contributed significantly to religious intolerance in the country. 

"Individuals lacked  deep understanding of their own and other religion which always lead to misconceptions and conflicts.

"Over 90 percent of Nigerians were religious by identification, nomenclature and not by practice; hence most religious leaders had taken to unhealthy rivalry",he added.

Odom, lamented that political leaders have found a way to use religion as a tool to manipulate and divide the people to maintain their status and covered the insincerity in whatever they are doing.

He, however, advocated that education and awareness programmes would bridge the knowledge gap, fostering mutual respect among diverse religious communities, enhance religion tolerance and social harmony.

Earlier, FORB Project Coordinator, Hajia Halimat Oyedele, said the project was aimed at increasing the level of coexistence between adherence of all religion  by addressing the existing structural limitations. 

Oyedele, posited that to prevent possible future violations, the project will also focus on spreading a culture of respect  through targeted awareness raising activities on Interreligious dialogue 

"This will increase the level of tolerance of the population and, hence, the possibility for peaceful coexistence between communities", Oyedele said.

On his part, the keynote speaker, Barrister Nurudeen Asunogie, who opined that religious intolerance stemmed from ignorance and fear of the unknown, added  that education, dialogue, and fostering empathy were essential solutions.

He stressed that peace building through inter religious cohesion and harmony remains the way out of religious conflict.

Also speaking, Mr. Joseph Atang, Country Representative, KAICIID, said  disrespect for individuals' religious beliefs would result in conflict as currently experience in the country.

"Some persons faith is disrespected so it becomes a source of conflict. Every human loves respect. Every human loves honour. Every human wants to have sense of belonging. Where you don't have all these, you are angry and it could lead conflict," he stated.

In his remarks, Dr. Adesoye Mustapha, South-South Coordinator, NASFAT, while noting  that religion is being used as a weapon at the grassroots by people in authority, however, opined  that such religious intolerance experience among the masses is not obtainable among the politicians.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele, stated that God is one and that there's no need for the religious strife in the country.

He  appealed to religious leaders in the country to be more accommodating.

Also, in his goodwill message, Humphrey Iriabe, Director of Evangelism & Inter-faith of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Edo State branch urged the people to see themselves as  children of Abraham.

"We must see ourselves as the children of Abraham. Religious leaders need to educate their people that we are one. We are all human created by one God",he said.