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Westminster Interfaith Newsletter
Issue 66 – May 2010
Nigeria Clash Isn't About Religion
Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja explained that the violence near Jos is a "classic conflict between herdsmen and farmers, only the Fulani are all Muslims and the Berom all Christians."
Archbishop Onaiyekan noted that the international media is quick to "report that it is Christians and Muslims who are killing one another; but this is not true, because the killings are not caused by religion but by social, economic, tribal and cultural issues." The cause of the violence seems to be a type of retaliation for fighting in January in Jos, when the majority of those killed were Muslim.
Another factor that favours violent outbreaks is the wide circulation of weapons in the area. "It's very easy to find persons who will come to fight only for a handful of dollars," Archbishop Kaigama of Jos observed.
Archbishop Onaiyekan pointed out that the victims are simply poor people "who know nothing about, and have nothing to do with, any of this and are completely innocent." He said that members of the Church continue to work to promote good relations between Christians and Muslims. "We pray for peace, for good government and for truth," he said. "And we pray also that people may realize that the only way to survive in this country is to recognize one another as brothers and citizens of the same nation."
Adapted from Zenit
