1.1 Introduction
Conflict resolution has many shades of meaning but in the context of the study it connotes the act of finding a solution or answer to discordant or conflict situation. Religious conflict threat is an inevitable aspect of human interaction, an unavoidable concomitant of choices and decision. The challenge, then, is not to count the frustration of seeking to remove inevitability but rather of trying to keep conflicts in bounds. The Christian tradition has made significant contributions to world peace at a number of different levels (Albert, 2011). Among these are public statements by Church leaders, programs of action at local and international levels, organizations dedicated to bringing about peace, courses of study, commemorative days etc. In recent decades, Church leaders have frequently made statements in support of peace.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The practice of the Islamic Religion in Nigeria before the advent of Islam was very peaceful and accommodating because there was no any external influence or unhealthy rivalry among the Islam. That is why Islam which came into Nigeria at the later part of the 14th century, and Christianity which finally settled in Nigeria in the middle of 18th century were both accommodated by the Islam.
Presently, Nigeria is facing greater challenges to peace and stability than ever before. The different areas in the nation, the Northern region of the nation, the South West, and the Niger Delta, are a volatile mix of insecurity, ethno-religious dispute and political instability. Many have been killed in crises between the two major religious groups sparked by various events: aggressive campaigns by foreign evangelists; the implementation in 1999 and 2000 of Sharia, or Islamic law, from 12 out of 36 states in Nigeria; and the 2002 Miss World pageant saga which resulted into another religious imbroglio when a local Christian reporter, Isioma Daniel, outraged Muslims by writing in one of Nigeria's print media.
According to This Day, June 1999 the Prophet Mohammed would have chosen a wife from among the contestants. Likewise, in 2006, riots set off by Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed left more people dead in Nigeria compared to anywhere else on the planet (This Day September 2006). The attention to the duty of religion in disputes has been stimulated by favorable and unfavorable developments, including the desecularisation of Nigeria's polity and the surge in religious disputes. In Nigeria today, interest is currently on the militant forms of religious fundamentalism as a threat to peace. Also important has been the sensation of constant armed religious dispute which have spread out rapidly throughout other states in the nation (Mason and Talbot 2000; Polgreen 2008).
Religious diversity appears to play a complicated role in these disputes, usually entrenching struggles over resources with ethnic violence and social exclusion. Both the federal government and some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have developed various institutions to deal with ethno-religious disputes in the country. Many deal with them on an ad-hoc basis without articulating a basic means to process disputes. A few of these ad-hoc committees have gone to the level of developing a Conflict Management System (CMS) to deal with the issue of religious dispute in Nigeria (Kwaja 2009; Ahmed 2007). Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and Inter-Religious Mediation Groups are no exemption.
It is imperative to disclose that the seemingly failure of western model for conflict and crisis management in contemporary time as apparent in the country unrest and other countries has given birth to pronounced campaign for alternative means, including that of Islamic clerics. More western writers are showing passionate interest in this agitation. Hence, the work of Flamur Vehapi, entitled: ‘’Peace and Conflict Resolution in Islam’’ is one that cannot be joked with when it comes to Islamic clerics in conflict resolution and management in Nigeria.
This study is designed to be a contribution towards the ongoing search for a lasting peace to various religious crises in the country. The Nigerian government has taken strong actions to reduce tension, however the continuing religious disputes raise questions regarding the efficiency of these mechanisms to dealing with the issue of religious crises in the nation.
Therefore, in Kaduna State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to investigate the Role of Islamic Clerics in Conflict Resolution and Management.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals that deadly communal conflicts often increase local residential segregation, as people who no longer feel safe living in close proximity to out-group members move into in group residential enclaves. Like it has been rightly observed above, the increasing rate of ethno–religious conflicts in Nigeria in the past and in the recent years shows that the adherents of the two major religions are not in good terms.
It should also be emphasized that traditional beliefs, values and practices have a powerful impact upon our patterns of life and social interaction, Nigeria's two significant religions, Islam and Christianity, are sometimes depicted as monolithic entities that challenge each other in pitched battles. With a populace of more than 200 million and over 250 ethno-linguistic groups, it is the only nation with a population of roughly half Christians and half Muslims (Paden, 2008; Kwaja, 2009). Therefore, for peace to reign in the country all the religious leaders have a role to play. It is on this claim that this study seeks to assess the role of Islamic clerics in conflict resolution and management in Nigeria.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Role of Islamic Clerics in Conflict Resolution and Management. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the strategies used by Islamic clerics for conflict management.
- To examine the dictates of the church as regards sustainable peace and harmony in Kaduna State.
- To evaluate the applications of inter-religious mediation strategy in Nigeria.
- To identify the factors limiting the strategies used by Islamic clerics for conflict management.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the strategies used by Islamic clerics for conflict management?
- What are the applications of inter-religious mediation strategy in Nigeria?
- Are there any factors limiting the strategies used by Islamic clerics for conflict management in Kaduna State?
- What are the factors limiting the strategies used by Islamic clerics for conflict management?
- What are the possible solutions to the issues of conflicts among the Muslims in Kaduna State?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There are no factors limiting the strategies used by Islamic clerics for conflict management in Kaduna State
- H1: There are factors limiting the strategies used by Islamic clerics for conflict management in Kaduna State
1.7 Significance of Study
This study will be significant in that, it will help future researches and the entire religious communities will benefit from the findings and recommendations on the role of Islamic clerics in conflict resolution and management in Nigeria. To the policy makers, it will throw more lights and be of a great help for policy formulation and implementation. Furthermore, the study will offer inclusive recommendations on how well to effectively involve religious actors in conflict management and reconciliation.
Methodologically, the study will break a new ground by using primary sources of data (questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion) to probe into the contributions to role of Islamic clerics in conflict resolution and management in Nigeria as against previous attempts that used desk research studies to investigate the role of Islamic clerics in conflict resolution and management in Nigeria.
This study will also serve as a means towards the development of a strategic action plan that will be a significant force in peaceful and harmonious co-existence amongst the practitioners of different religion in Nigeria.
1.8 Scope of the Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Role of Islamic Clerics in Conflict Resolution and Management in Kaduna State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Conflict Resolution: is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. The disagreement may be personal, financial, political, or emotional. When a dispute arises, often the best course of action is negotiation to resolve the disagreement.
Conflict: is defined as a clash between individuals arising out of a difference in thought process, attitudes, understanding, interests, requirements and even sometimes perceptions. A conflict results in heated arguments, physical abuses and definitely loss of peace and harmony.
