Umaru, Thaddeus Byimui (2013) Toward Christian-Muslim dialogue and peace-building activities in Northern Nigeria: theological reflection. PhD thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/4249/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Toward Christian-Muslim Dialogue and Peace- Building Activities in Northern Nigeria: Theological Reflection Thaddeus Byimui Umaru (Rev) B.S.T, M.A Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), School of Critical Studies College of Arts, Department of Theology and Religious Studies University of Glasgow May-2013 2 Abstract The aim of this dissertation is to examine critically the incessant inter-religious conflicts in Northern Nigeria, to identify the real causes of such conflicts and to suggest theological and practical ways to sustain peace building endeavours. Conflicts as an inevitable part of human existence can be triggered and exacerbated by numerous factors. Religion as a powerful impulse in human existence has been used to fuel conflict in Northern Nigeria. Radical religious strife, quest for more converts, colonisation, ethnicity, and perceived political domination have strengthened stereotypical views of the self and the other. Religion is closely intertwined with culture and thus central in the understanding and establishment of peace in society; continue to play paradoxical role in the locality. Religion can be a cause of conflict and a way of conflict resolution. In Nigeria religion has failed to establish the peace which it has claimed to promote, because deep historical feuds have found expression in religion, and religion is thus at the core of the strife as experienced in contemporary Northern Nigeria. The theology of the Second Vatican Council, in which the Roman Catholic Church reflects on its self-understanding as a community and its role in the world, provides a first model for the encounter between Christianity and other religions in mutual understanding. This thesis considers the theological potential of this interreligious encounter (or dialogue) between Islamic and Christian traditions in general and the possibilities and difficulties of dialogue between Muslims and Christians in Northern Nigeria in particular. Moreover, this study delves into the need for engagement between theology and politics in addressing issues of conflict. It explores the theology of interreligious dialogue as a means for a promising peace-building process in Northern Nigeria. Religion as a significant part of the problem is equally essential in proffering solutions. However, taken on their own terms, neither religion nor politics have comprehensive answers. Hence, any peace building project in Northern Nigeria must be multi-faceted. It could be, modelled on a theological approach for encounter and dialogue which examines common grounds for collaboration within the two faith traditions, in an attempt to consider and strengthen peace-building endeavours within the region. 3 Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................. 2 Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... 3 List of Tables and Figures ...................................................................................................... 7 Acknowledgement.................................................................................................................. 8 Author’s Declaration .............................................................................................................. 9 Abbreviations/Definitions .................................................................................................... 10 General Introduction ............................................................................................................ 15 Chapter 1 A Contextual Religious-Political History of Conflicts in Northern Nigeria ........................ 22 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 22 1.1 Historical Background to the Spread of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria ........... 23 1.1.1 The Spread of Islam in Northern Nigeria .............................................................. 24 1.1.2 The Spread of Christianity in Northern Nigeria .................................................... 27 1.1.3 Religious Groups and Identities in Northern Nigeria ............................................ 29 1.2 A Brief History of British Colonial Rule in Northern Nigeria 1875-1960 ............ 37 1.2.1 The Effects of British Colonial Rule on Religion and Politics of Northern Nigeria . ........................................................................................................................ 40 1.3 A Brief History of Religious Conflicts in Northern Nigeria .................................. 42 1.4 The Instrumentalisation of Religion in Northern Nigerian Politics ....................... 47 1.5 The Introduction of Islamic Sharia in Northern Nigeria ........................................ 57 1.5.1 The Implications of Islamic Sharia Implementation for Non-Muslims in Northern Nigeria.................................................................................................................... 61 1.6 Conflicts in Northern Nigeria: Contributing Factors ............................................. 63 1.6.1 Inconsistent Government Policies.......................................................................... 63 1.6.2 Ethnic and Economic Factors ................................................................................ 64 1.6.3 The Challenge of Almajiri Syndrome in Northern Nigeria ................................... 66 1.6.4 The Threat of Boko Haram Islamic Sect to Northern Nigeria ............................... 68 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 71 Chapter 2 A Theological Analysis of the Relationship between Islam and Christianity since the Second Vatican Council ....................................................................................................... 74 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 74 4 2.1 The Vatican II Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions ( Nostra Aetate ) ...................................................................................... 76 2.1.1 Nostra Aetate in Relation to Other Roman Catholic Church Documents ............. 82 2.1.2 The Theology of Salvation in Terms of Redemption, or Reconciliation and the Hope of Sharing in the Reign of God .................................................................... 85 2.1.3 A Survey of Recent Achievements in Christian-Muslim Relations since the Promulgation of Nostra Aetate in 1965 ................................................................. 87 2.2 The World Council of Churches: Guidelines on Dialogue with People of Living Faiths and Ideologies 1979 .................................................................................... 92 2.3 A Common Word : Muslims and Christians on Loving God and Neighbour ......... 94 2.3.1 Qur’anic Scholars Interpretation of the Common Word Invitation ( Sura Al’Imran 3:64) ....................................................................................................................... 97 2.4 The History of the Relationship between Christians and Muslims in Northern Nigeria since Nostra Aetate (1965)........................................................................ 99 2.5 The Theological Potential of Meeting the Other (Abrahamic Faith: Genesis 17:20; 21:18-21)................................................................................................... 105 2.5.1 Belief in One God ................................................................................................ 105 2.5.2 Divine Revelation ................................................................................................ 106 2.5.3 Prayer ................................................................................................................... 107 2.5.4 Sacred Scriptures ................................................................................................. 108 2.5.4.1 Qur’anic Interpretation: The Importance of Contextual-Historical Hermeneutics ............................................................................................ 110 2.5.5 Common Ethic between Christianity and Islam .................................................. 116 2.6 An Apprasal of Contemporary Christian-Muslim Dialogue after Nostra Aetate 1965...................................................................................................................... 117 2.7 Stereotyping and Prejudice of the