This topic is aimed at mending the fractured relationship between Christians and Muslims.
Humans are social beings. We cannot but relate with one another. However, relationship can either be healthy or unhealthy; symbiotic or parasitic; peaceful or chaotic.
There is a relationship existing between Christians and Muslims based on our religious beliefs and differences. It is not an overstatement to say that there is a form of hostility existing between the followers of Christ and the followers of Muhammad, no matter how little it may be. But in the beginning, it was not so.
Both Christians and Muslims are descendants of Abraham, and Abraham was a descendant of Adam and Eve, our first parents.
Christianity, as well as Islam, believes that their religion is for peace, and not for war. Peace is not just the absence of war, it is the state of calmness with oneself and others. It is the state of living in friendship with one’s neighbors.
There are several verses of the Bible and Qu’ran that preach peace, but our actions oftentimes negate the peace that is being preached in the two books. The onus, therefore, lies on both Christians and Muslims to foster peaceful coexistence between themselves.
Let’s begin with two injunctions each from the Quran and the Bible.
Quran [2:190] says, “You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors.”
The Hadith on spreading peace in Islam is as follows:
“O people, spread peace, feed the hungry, and pray at night when people are sleeping and you will enter Paradise in peace.” (Sunan Ibn Majah).
The Quran says ‘God does not love the aggressors.’ In other words, God is a lover of peace. Not only that, people are to spread peace. They must be peace initiators, so as to enter Paradise in peace.
In the Bible, Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
The Bible says, we should follow peace with all men. ‘All men’ here means regardless of the religion or ethnicity, it is our responsibility to foster peaceful relationship with everybody.
Having established this truth in the two sacred texts, what are the practical ways to promote peaceful relationship between Christians and Muslims? How can we find solution to the hostility existing between the two Communities? How can the middle wall of partition be broken, so that we can live in harmony regardless of our religious beliefs?
Here are some of the things to do:
1. Love for one another: Loving another person, not minding the religion, is a powerful tool in fostering peaceful relationship in our society. Love is not just a feeling, it is sacrificial and more expressed in action. Love has the tendency to melt a stony heart. Both Christians and Muslims should love one another sincerely. There should be no hypocritical love in our dealings with one another. Let love lead.
2. Respect The Religion of Others: We must understand and respect our different beliefs. There are some variations in Christianity and Islam, but our understanding and respect for the religion of others can still bring us to a common ground. Insulting and demeaning others just because we are of different faith can cause hostility. We do not need to embarrass ourselves publicly or before the upcoming generation because of religious extremism. Religious chauvinism must be avoided at all cost if we want to build peaceful relationship.
3. Forming Partnership in Solving National Issues: Christians should partner with the Muslims, and vice versa, in solving issues that concern the nation they both live in. This will enhance a peaceful coexistence between the two Communities. Oftentimes, religious sentiments have caused division between Christians and Muslims, especially in politics. Here, favouritism sets in due to religious differences. Christians and Muslims can partner together to render humanitarian services to the poor or less privileged regardless of their religion, since this is an acceptable service in both Christianity and Islam, as stated in the Bible (Luke 3:11) and Quran (9:60).
4. Observing Inter-Faith Harmony Week: This annual event, as established by the United Nations, is usually observed every first week of February. Exciting programmes can be rolled out during this week to promote unity and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims. A friendly football match can be played between the two Communities in one of the days in the week. The aim is not to compete for the best, but to foster peaceful relationship. Engaging in meaningful dialogue such as this, and Street Campaign with banner and flyers advocating for peace can be carried out by the religious leaders during the week.
If the above suggestions can be taken into consideration, Christians and Muslims will be able to live at peace with each other.
© Akinrelere Sunday.
sunnysteve 