EDITORIAL
The pioneer chairman of the Kaduna State Peace Commission, Reverend Dr. Idowu Fearon, was at the center of the foundation laying ceremony for the permanent site of the Kaduna Centre for the Study of Christian–Muslim Relations which took place lately. The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, had his remarks presented at the laying of the foundation of buildings at the permanent site.
At the event, the governor expressed his delight that “a centre dedicated to promoting peace and harmony in Kaduna State through knowledge on matters religious is about to get a permanent home.” He further noted that the “foundation laying we perform today is an acknowledgement of the unique and innovative way the founders of the Kaduna Centre for the Study of Christian–Muslim Relations are making a contribution to mutual understanding and tolerance in our state.”
For the simple reason that his administration has been confronted with the outcome of the activities of promoters of ethnic and religious intolerance in Kaduna State, there could not have been a better supporter of this initiative dedicated to stamping out ignorance in this regard than the governor. In his word, “We support Bishop Fearon’s efforts to help stamp out the ignorance that has poisoned interfaith relations in Kaduna State.” Ignorance? Poisoning relations among people across faiths? At ElRufai News Magazine (ENM), we think that is even an understatement. We explain why.
One does not need to even be on ground in Kaduna State to understand why religious intolerance and violence had been the case in the state before now. Wherever you turn in this country, you meet religionists whose utterances and views are anything but religious. Most of the things that come out of them make you think: if these are people with religion, then what do those who don’t have religion sound like? The matter is so bad that even people who lead others in religious matters utter hatred against fellow humans and one wonders who then they want to carry their messages to. The same people you express hatred towards? There are even some of them who get angry when they know their follows have anything to do with people of the other religion. These things make you wonder if what these leaders say and do are what the Book they carry actually teaches. Peaceful coexistence with others, showing love to others despite difference in religion are virtues that religions teach. As we consider at ENM, if what you utter and promote among followers is not in line with what the Book in your hands teaches, you are fake, and those you lead are fake. Many across Nigeria and particularly in Kaduna State are in this category.
It is disturbing how almost everyone loses their head over religion. Each citizen should face the religion that they want. Why should that lead to hatred for and murdering of people? The same people made by the Creator you proclaim? There are several reasons for this situation. ENM thinks it is because people use religion for the achievement of personal gains, especially material gains, including position. Yet true religionists know this is not the focus of religions. People would deploy religion in any matter that has nothing to do with religion (rather than service, equity, justice, and fairness to all) when it pays them to so do. When they miss out or they think they may miss out they wipe up sentiments among followers, the ignorant ones, who may then embark on a killing spree. Meanwhile, those who inspire them are safe somewhere as blood is being shed.
There are as well those who give every crisis or displeasure they have in the polity religious colourations. We know this is the case in Kaduna State in particular and respected institutions such as the US Council for Foreign Relations have stated this to be true. Even foreign embassies in Nigeria acknowledge this to be the fact. Such bodies do not just arrive at their conclusions, they do based on careful studies of the details of many of the critical issues in Kaduna State as well as in the North-Central geo-political zone of Nigeria where Kaduna State is located. One of such issues is the security challenge presented by the herder-farmer situation. It is shocking how the activities of a few criminal elements have been interpreted as a religious matter and used to poison the minds of people in Kaduna State. Meanwhile, the same herder-farmer security challenge obtains in different parts of Nigeria and no one talks about religion with regard to their occurrence. Last November, for instance, the farmer-herder situation in Gombe State was such that the government of the state instructed herders not take their herds through the state until farmers would have completed harvest in January 2022. What makes the case of Kaduna State different? What makes it a religious “persecution” as some have alleged? Nothing. Except that some actively promote the false narrative, obviously believing it is the best way to get others on their side in Nigeria and abroad. Unfortunately the ignorant falls for it.
There are several other issues that have led to a situation where religion has been consistently weaponized in Kaduna State. But ENM thinks the ignorance of the masses with regard to issue of religion, especially between adherents of the two main religions in Kaduna State, is the main cause. The Centre has rightly identified it and it is what it wants to correct. From the first day of its existence, ENM has always supported the Peace Commission. As such, this particular initiative will continue to be a good addition to what the government has been doing with regard to finding solutions to incidence of religious intolerance and the attendant violent outcomes.
At ENM, we think there is no better way to explain the relevance of the Center than how Gov. El-Rufai has put it, According to him, “Learning about other people’s faith provides an opportunity to understand the peculiarities in each other’s religion. It removes the fear that ignorance nurtures and eliminates the hatred that propels extremism. With knowledge, faith can then be practiced as a relationship with Almighty God that manifests in making us better persons. Education removes the temptation to construe one faith as the repudiation of the other or as an inferior way to relate to God. Education is a powerful weapon for promoting a common humanity. It helps to remind us mere mortals that the God who created us all invented diversity. Not one of us can be wiser than the Almighty. We should practise our various faiths without seeking to injure or destroy those who worship differently.”
We concur absolutely and we urge people of Kaduna State who truly know their religion to support this effort targeted at promoting peaceful coexistence.
