Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Religion, Conflict, and Peacebuilding Fellowship, Christopher O'Connor interviewed S.L.S. Salifu, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). In this interview, Salifu talks about his involvement with intra-Christian relations and Christian-Muslim relations and the challenges of overcoming misunderstanding to promote peace.

What are the root causes of conflict in Nigeria?

Nigeria has several conflicts in different dimensions: tribal, economic, religious, political, etc. At CAN, largely through [the Nigeria Interreligious Council, NIREC], we focus on addressing the religious conflicts. Unfortunately, this multitude of conflicts often finds expression through religion. Political conflicts in particular often take on a religious dimension. People don’t bomb government offices. They bomb the religious houses of the other side. Tribal conflict and cultural conflict end up the same way. Nigerians are very devout, but religion blinds them from seeing the truth at times. Over 90 percent of Nigerians practice either Islam or Christianity. There is a great divide between these two groups. Christians read the Bible and act because they believe it is the word of God. Likewise, the Muslims read the Qur'an and see it as the word of Allah. The Bible and the Qur'an agree on several issues. But on some issues, they do not agree, and this is the source of religious conflict in Nigeria. For example, Muslims disagree with Christians over Jesus Christ. Muslims do not believe that Jesus died and shed his blood for the world’s sins. The Muslims do not believe that Jesus was crucified. They believe that someone who looked like him was crucified instead. This view contradicts the fundamental tenets of Christianity. With that said, the two sides often view their religious as opposed, contradictory.

How is CAN working to address these potentially volatile divisions?

We have a lot of people with different beliefs living together in Nigeria. If this is the case, how do we build peace? At one point the Christians sat down and asked how we can get past this violence. We thought, "Why don’t we dialogue with the Muslims?" Such a dialogue not only lets us live our faith, but it saves lives, and it is economical. We went to the sultan of Sokoto to discuss how we can live side by side. He accepted our invitation to dialogue, and the government expressed interest in these developments. Through these actions the Nigerian Interreligious Council was born, and interreligious dialogue between Christians and Muslims commenced. NIREC consists of 25 Muslims and 25 Christians who meet once a quarter to dialogue, to discuss ways to improve relations, and these members disseminate the joint message of tolerance and cooperation to their respective communities. It is co-chaired by Christian and Muslim leaders. These efforts started about a decade ago. After a few years there was a lull in cooperation, but things have improved over the last few years. So far, the leaders at the elite national level seem to be cultivating some good level of understanding. We now must work to bring that understanding to the level of the average Nigerian.

What are CAN and NIREC doing to reach the average Nigerian?

At the national level we are trying to foster deeper understanding between Muslims and Christians. At lower levels, our efforts are less well developed. A few states have created state NIRECs or NIREC-like structures. Interfaith meetings are springing up slowly throughout the country. Unfortunately, further cooperation is still limited by the high level of suspicion that still exists at these lower levels. The majority do not yet understand each other. This misunderstanding is why conflicts are still erupting today. NIREC is trying to carry out damage control at the national level. NIREC will intervene with the government to quarantine the violence, preventing it from spreading elsewhere. We have been somewhat successful here.

NIREC has also been working to support interreligious projects, which sometimes receive external funding. The Roll Back Malaria Project is perhaps the most prominent example of this cooperation. The United States provided the initial $2 million to start this program. We are just about to enter the projects second stage later this year. Interreligious cooperation is a work in progress.

What are the greatest challenges you face in your work as general secretary for CAN?

The general secretary’s term is eight years. I am in my sixth year. It is always difficult building relationships of trust with the Muslim community. Having spent six years here, however, I see myself fighting another battle, a battle to hold the various Christian denominations together at the same time as I am trying to promote dialogue with the Muslim community. It can be interesting, and it can be torturous. I have to deal with, and at times reconcile, some very strong perspectives and personalities. I am challenged with creating a basic forum of understanding even amongst the Christians. Additionally, I have been accused of selling out Christ, of being too close to the Muslims.

How do you go about reconciling the different perspectives present in CAN so that you can effectively work with Muslims to promote understanding and tolerance?

We try to solve our issues by using scripture, by using the Bible. The Bible is the end. This is what the Bible says. This is what we do. For my work, I have even been attacked in articles in papers. As human beings, we are sometimes motivated to fire back, but the wise man must look past these distractions. Christ was insulted and he said nothing. He was led to the cross, and again he said nothing.

What lessons have you learned from your work that might provide some guidance to others working to build peace?

One lesson I have learned is the lesson of self-denial. One must be ready to sacrifice himself and to stick to righteousness, even in the face of criticism and misunderstanding. Tied to this, one must be patient. People must be tolerated for a very long time before they will come to accept your perspective.