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Islam and Christianity are not foreign religions in Nigeria; both are indigenous. Indeed, the adherents of both religions number more than the adherents of the indigenous traditional African religions. But how do they relate to one another? This article discusses the interaction between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria and historically analyzes the origin of the relationship between Islam and Christianity. Since the emergence of Christianity in Nigeria, Muslims and Christians have lived together as neighbors, friends and occasional rivals. After independence, both religions competed for leadership of the country. Christians pressed for the separation of the state from the church, while Muslims insisted on the application of Islamic law. By 1980, Islamic revival movements emerged, and several subsequent revolts occurred; some people were killed, and many properties were damaged. A similar crisis occurred after 1999 when twelve Northern states introduced the whole implementation of the Islamic law in all aspects of life. As a result, concerned Nigerians launched religious dialogue. President Shehu Umar Yar'adua formed a committee to look into the religious crisis and suggest solutions. This dialogue has achieved some success due to the efforts of some Muslims and Christian leaders who work together for peace, but there is still a long way to go. It is hoped that by understanding the causes of tensions and by looking at the issues affecting both parties critically, both groups can design a better way of living and working together for peaceful coexistence and cooperation among all Nigerians. Muslims and Christians should recognize that any resort to violence under any circumstances amounts to terrorism and will never lead to peace.
Introduction
My attempt in this article is not to dig out the murky dust of Nigeria's past religious history but to highlight the major causes of tensions between Muslims and Christians and to suggest means through which these tensions can be reduced, if not eliminated completely. Before analyzing the causes of those tensions and discussing whether Muslims and Christians can live together peacefully, it is pertinent to discuss briefly the emergence of both Islam and Christianity in Nigeria. Although some Nigerians still perceive Islam and Christianity as foreign religions, the effect of their invasion on African traditional religions has been immense.2 However, African traditional religions have also...