International Journal of Humanitatis Theoreticus. Vol. 3. (Issue: 1); May, 2020 The Role of Islamic Organisations in the Growth of Islam in Bayelsa State, 1996-2015. By Professor T. A. Varvar Department of History GSM: 07030559633. S. I. Ugbegili, PhD Nathaniel B. Gimba Luka Department of History, Benue State Department of History, Adamawa State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. University, Mubi Adamawa State, Nigeria. E-mail:
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[email protected] GSM: 08035098734. GSM: 08037462359. Abstract This paper examines the role of Islamic organisations in the growth of Islam in Bayelsa from 1996- 2015. By this period, many indigenes of Bayelsa area had peacefully accepted Islam and made frantic efforts particularly through the establishment of Islamic organisations to ensure that the religion gained more adherents in the state. It is important to note that unlike in the Northern part of Nigeria where there was a recorded incessant religious motivated violence, Muslims in Bayelsa have enjoyed moderate harmonious relations with their Christian counterpart. The paper argues that while it is evident that there was never a time both Christians and Muslims got entangled in a religious motivated conflict in Bayelsa, the age long struggle for doctrinal dominance among the Muslims was inevitable in the area. The paper, however, discovered a growing but salient rivalry among the Izalah group in Nigeria that had snowballed into the Bayelsa state chapter. The study relies on primary evidences from interviews and also sourced information from secondary sources of data. The paper finally argues that, though ideological difference are inevitable among a group or more or among religious faithful, it should not be allowed to take a center stage else observed growth of Islam in Bayelsa could be hampered.