AN Islamic Cleric, Alhaji Ustaz Jamiu Adegunwa, has advocated dialogue in the resolution of all religious misunderstandings in the country instead of resorting to violence.

According to the Islamic cleric, “Killing one another in the name of religion should be discouraged as there is no evidence of such, either in the Bible or the Qur’an. What should rather be encouraged is the use of dialogue to handle religious difference.”

Alhaji Adegunwa made the appeal at a recent lecture organised by Evangelist Isang Udo-Akagha, at the Time Square Events Centre, Ajao Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking at an Interfaith lecture on ‘The Role of Christian/Muslim Dialogue in Sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy’, Alhaji Adegunwa (aka Labaika De Christ) argued that though we live in a democratic society, true worshippers of God must do away with religious intolerance and embrace peace.

According to him, Nigerians, especially in the Northern part of the country, “have experienced lots of religious crises and riots where houses were burnt and human beings murdered all in the name of religion. The question is; ‘In this age of globalisation, why do we still have to experience such?’”

Blaming the situation in the North on the absence of enlightenment, Alhaji Adegunwa urged leaders of the two main religions in Nigeria not to be discouraged by the lingering crises, arguing that religious upheavals in that region can only be averted through genuine and meaningful Muslim/Christian dialogue.

According to him, lack of proper enlightenment was to blame for religious intolerance in the country, especially in the North.

“What people do not value is knowledge—knowledge in the sense that, if one is endowed with any knowledge of any kind, the life of that person will be totally different from others. Look at the East, South and Western parts of Nigeria, hardly do we experience any form of religious crisis there. This is because we tolerate one another, particularly in the West” said the cleric.

Adegunwa is of the opinion that, it would be suicidal to discountenance religious dialogue because “it is like sitting on a keg of gunpowder; if it finally explodes, it will affect everyone.”

He therefore urged religious leaders in the North to give peace a chance and seek for proper understanding of the tenets and practices of other people’s faith.

“What do we gain by killing one another over religious differences? In spite of our differences, we can still be friendly and leave in peace

with one another. The only way to achieve this is through Christian/Muslim dialogue. It is the only reasonable way to settle differences. I am therefore using this opportunity to appeal to the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), our government at federal, state and local levels to support this cause for the benefit of democracy”, the cleric concluded.

Similarly, Evang. Isang Udo-Akagha (aka Friend of Muslims), said Christian/Muslim dialogue will be of immense benefit to the country and faithful of the two religions.

Said he: “Several motives have propelled the move for Christian/Muslim dialogue. These include the desire to foster understanding, to stimulate communication, to work on specific problems of mutual concern, to explore similarities and differences, and to facilitate means of co-operation and friendship.”

‘Only genuine dialogue can solve religious crises’

AN Islamic Cleric, Alhaji Ustaz Jamiu Adegunwa, has advocated dialogue in the resolution of all religious misunderstandings in the country instead of resorting to violence.

According to the Islamic cleric, “Killing one another in the name of religion should be discouraged as there is no evidence of such, either in the Bible or the Qur’an. What should rather be encouraged is the use of dialogue to handle religious difference.”

Alhaji Adegunwa made the appeal at a recent lecture organised by Evangelist Isang Udo-Akagha, at the Time Square Events Centre, Ajao Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking at an Interfaith lecture on ‘The Role of Christian/Muslim
Dialogue in Sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy’, Alhaji Adegunwa (aka Labaika De Christ) argued that though we live in a democratic society, true worshippers of God must do away with religious intolerance and embrace peace.

According to him, Nigerians, especially in the Northern part of the country, “have experienced lots of religious crises and riots where houses were burnt and human beings murdered all in the name of religion. The question is; ‘In this age of globalisation, why do we still have to experience such?’”
Blaming the situation in the North on the absence of enlightenment, Alhaji Adegunwa urged leaders of the two main religions in Nigeria not to be discouraged by the lingering crises, arguing that religious upheavals in that region can only be averted through genuine and meaningful Muslim/Christian dialogue.

According to him, lack of proper enlightenment was to blame for religious intolerance in the country, especially in the North.

“What people do not value is knowledge—knowledge in the sense that, if one is endowed with any knowledge of any kind, the life of that person will be totally different from others. Look at the East, South and Western parts of Nigeria, hardly do we experience any form of religious crisis there. This is because we tolerate one another, particularly in the West” said the cleric.

Adegunwa is of the opinion that, it would be suicidal to discountenance religious dialogue because “it is like sitting on a keg of gunpowder; if it finally explodes, it will affect everyone.”
He therefore urged religious leaders in the North to give peace a chance and seek for proper understanding of the tenets and practices of other people’s faith.

“What do we gain by killing one another over religious differences? In spite of our differences, we can still be friendly and leave in peace

with one another. The only way to achieve this is through Christian/Muslim dialogue. It is the only reasonable way to settle differences. I am therefore using this opportunity to appeal to the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), our government at federal, state and local levels to support this cause for the benefit of democracy”, the cleric concluded.

Similarly, Evang. Isang Udo-Akagha (aka Friend of Muslims), said Christian/Muslim dialogue will be of immense benefit to the country and faithful of the two religions.

Said he: “Several motives have propelled the move for Christian/Muslim dialogue. These include the desire to foster understanding, to stimulate communication, to work on specific problems of mutual concern, to explore similarities and differences, and to facilitate means of co-operation and friendship.”