Intersecting with Nigeria: The Imam and The Pastor

On May 14, Intersections concluded the West End Lecture Series The Heart of Conflict: Pathways to Peace. The lecture featured two prominent Nigerians: Pastor James Wuye and Imam Mohammad Ashafa. Both know intimately the issues of conflict and peace. Decades ago in Kaduna State, Nigeria, Wuye and Ashafa took up arms in the religious war that erupted in the region. Both were leaders in their respective faiths and heads of militant groups, inflicted violence, and suffered losses.

While they both survived, each wished revenge. Two decades later, both were attending a public health meeting and were brought face-to-face with a plea to reconcile on behalf of Nigeria. They exchanged greetings and slowly, over several years, embarked on a journey of peace and reconciliation. This led to the Kaduna Peace Declaration of Religious Leaders in 2005. They dismantled their militant groups and enjoined members on a new mission of peace, tolerance and mutual co-existence.

Today, Wuye and Ashafa believe the only way religious violence can be reduced or stopped in Nigeria is by promoting religious teachings of peace and nonviolence. Their new organization, the Interfaith Mediation Center of the Muslim-Christian Dialogue Forum, deals with the psychology of religious violence and addresses its causes and effects. Wuye and Ashafa's education and media outreach strategies have afforded them unprecedented, widespread support and legitimacy for their efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.

To hear an audio file of the entire series, click here.