1. Summarize the central themes, theses, issues, or arguments of the reading assignment.
The chapter Warriors and Brothers by the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious
Understanding (2007) discussed the religious violence that occurred and continues to occur in Nigeria and how two religious leaders – namely, Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye from the Islam and Christian faith, respectively – are playing a big role in promoting peace and reconciliation in their country.
The chapter described how the conflict started during the British colonization when the northern part of Nigeria, which mostly had a Muslim population, was ruled indirectly by the British while the southern part, which had mostly a Christian population, was ruled directly by the British. With the northern part of Nigeria being allowed to consider Shari’ a as the state law, problems started when the time came for the country to be unified and adhere to a single set of laws. Naturally, the Muslims wanted the Shari’ a to become the law of the nation while the Christians resisted it.
With this intermingling of religious and political conflicts, Imam Ashafa and Pastor James focused their efforts on managing these conflicts and teaching the people about how violence is not the solution to these conflicts.
2. Summarize at least four key points made by the authors. In the case of multiple authors, indicate which author you are referring to for each point.
One key message in this reading is the importance of forgiveness and that
forgiveness is the first step to reconciliation. As both Imam Ashafa and Pastor James realized, both the Prophet Mohammed and Jesus Christ taught about forgiveness and that to be considered true followers of either Islam or Christianity, one must be able to forgive.
Another point in the reading is that the two religious leaders focused their reconciliation efforts on the youth because they claimed that it is “among the youth that religion is used to incite violence” (Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious, 2007, p. 265), that is, while the elders are in charge of making the policies, it is the youth who executes them; therefore, if the youth is reconciled then there will be no one who will fight. Another message is that compromise is possible only if there is an understanding of each other’s needs; thus, it is important to get to know each religion better and to respect each other’s differences. Finally, this reading pointed out that while religion used to be an excuse for violence, religion is also the answer to peace.
3. Raise at least two or more questions, critical or informational, related to the reading.
One question that I wonder about is if religious violence would still have ensued
in Nigeria had the British colonists governed Northern Nigeria in the same manner that they did the southern part of Nigeria.
Also, ne of the reasons for the religious violence in Nigeria was the negative misconceptions that the Muslims and Christians had of each other. Such misconceptions exist to this day, and probably in all parts of the world, too. I wonder what caused these negative misconceptions in the first place and when did it begin?
4. In a paragraph, characterize your critical reflections on the ideas presented in this reading assignment.
This reading made me realize how vulnerable the youth is – how they can be
molded in any manner that the adults in society wish to mold them to. It seems apparent that the youth is very much involved in many of the religious violence that occurs in our world today and that they have probably developed this way of thinking because of the influences of the people around them. It’s sad that instead of being protected, nurtured, and surrounded with good values, the youth is instead exposed to danger, anger, and hatred.
References
Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding. (2007, January 8). Chapter 9: Warriors and
brothers. In D. Little (Ed.), Peacemakers in action: Profiles of religion in conflict
resolution (pp. 247-277). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press
