TURNING OUR SCARS INTO STARS 

BY 

Dan'Azumi T. Shekarau Ankuwar. 

On Monday, February 21 last year, the peaceful and loving people of Kaduna town woke up to the most bizarre and senseless killings and maiming of their own kind, in the wake of what was to turn out to be a religious crisis. Consequently, the tension, suspicion and hatred generated by this exacerbated religious bigotry has severely wounded and fractured the basis of our harmonious coexistence. 

It is on this note that I wish to reiterate that all is not lost yet. We can dramatically turn this sad episode into a positive strategy for better understanding and a more profound coexistence. We must as a matter of fact, appreciate that as of now, Nigeria as a Nation is going through an excruciating pain that characterises the end of an old order and the birth pangs of a new order. the birth of this new order is possible only when we are released from the consequences of what we have done, which in this case, helps to put behind us the past hurts and to start building on a future that is hopeful. This goes to say that without forgiveness, hurts go unchecked and we are likely to recycle failure, resentments, bitterness and mistrust in our lives. And of course, without healing the wounds of bitterness, there can be no real peace and lasting reconciliation. To do this, we must as a people earnestly seeking for peace, overcome the prejudices of our historical past. We must remove all distrust which has created a long standing relationship of hostility. 

How do we achieve the harmony so desired at this time? 

My first proposal towards achieving lasting peace and understanding in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole, is the need for all to have a good understanding of the authentic statements in our respective sacred scriptures, and get to know how these have been interpreted and applied. There is also need for us to learn to take the traditions and history of the other seriously. This would require a genuine will to achieve a better understanding of the other and a readiness to correct some of our prejudices. Ignorance indeed, is the most terrible of cultural diseases, for from it stems fear, misunderstanding and intolerance. This process of enlightenment to wipe out ignorance must start right from our elementary schools through our secondary education to our higher institutions of learning. The need for this could be felt, when at the wake of a similar uprising in 1987, a group of concerned students and lecturers drawn from the various faiths in Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.) Zaria condemned the intolerance from both sides. Such a willingness to redress the wrongs, could be carried a step further with the department of inter-religious dialogue in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to work towards having a branch of it opened in A.B.U. Zaria. This will offer opportunity for more study and research into the various faiths especially as it concerns us in the North, which has been the hotbed of religious disturbances. 

My second proposal is in the area of the activities of religious extremists.This has to do with religious preaching, where religious extremists and fundamentalists have often used the most violent and provocative language in the way of revivals or crusades. Both Christians and Muslims will need a supervising board, scrutinising would-be preachers at revivals or crusades, to help avoid the situation of 'half-baked' preachers parading and causing religious disharmony. The Christians as well as their Muslim counterparts have national, state and local bodies that oversee the activities of both sides on these levels. The Christians have the "Christian Association of Nigeria" (CAN), while the Muslims have the "Jama'atu Nasril Islam" (JNI) The common witness of both faiths through acts of charity to all should be the take-off point of any crusade or revival at all levels. In which case, the supervising boards ensure to strict compliance. Defaulters should be fined and be seen to be disowned publicly as a way of discouraging others who may wish to act contrary to the stipulations of the general body. 

A joint political awareness commission would be my third proposal. This commission would carry out political awareness campaigns which will educate people on the role they have to play in politics especially their political rights and duties. The "Northern Elders Political Forum", which has always been seen as a Muslim political forum and the "Christian Political Awareness Commission" could come under one umbrella to create political consciousness that will enhance proper political participation and enlightenment in the area of politics. Above all, peace in our region will greatly depend on the rule of justice and fair play from both sides. Justice is indivisible, it can not be denied to one group to the benefit of the other. 

My fourth proposal will focus on the struggle for justice. The religious disturbances we have witnessed in Nigeria and in the North in particular, were either caused by injustice against a particular ethnic group crying for redress, or a religious community demanding equal treatment. A way forward in this matter could be a forum whereby leaders of the various faiths meet frequently to identify the needs of their people from where these needs are presented to the government. There is also need for a joint collaborative ministry to the poor and needy in hospitals, prisons, orphanages and less privileged which will be in line with the long standing traditions of both Islam and Christianity on social care. 

My fifth proposal aims at fighting mental and physical laziness. Our people must be helped towards self-sustenance and eventual self-employment by encouraging them to acquire certain skills that would benefit them and others. We must stop blaming others for our failures to improve on our lot. Our young people must be encouraged to interact on very healthy grounds through sporting activities, exchange of pleasantries and visits to each other during special festivities like Sallah, Christmas and New year days. This will help cement a cordial relationship devoid of fear or suspicion. It is high time for us all to come to accept the fact that we have no other country or place to go to, and no other religion to turn to. Islam and Christianity are not going to go away either, nor will their claims for absolute truth go away. 

We have come a long way to where we are today, let us then turn those scars of the past into bright stars of hope for a more peaceful and meaningful existence in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole. Wassalam!

Dan'Azumi T. Shekarau Ankuwa. LONDON (UK).