Christian and Muslim relationship in Ilorin Metropolis: A model for peaceful co-existence in a multi-religious society

Abstract

The experiences of religious violence between Christians and Muslims in many states in Nigeria have been frequent especially since the  1980s. In recent times, religious violence has been almost a yearly ritual with its attendant loss of lives and property. While some have  argued that attempt to establish Islamic state has been the main cause of the menace, many are of the view that intolerance and lack of  cooperation between leaders of the two faiths are the major reasons for the violence. In the case of Kwara State, Ilorin the capital has  been adjudged widely in Nigeria as dominated by Muslims, yet other faiths are accommodated especially Christianity. Consequently, the  state is being referred to as State of Harmony. This paper examines the relationship between Christians and Muslims in Ilorin metropolis  with an ex-ray of the ingredients of their peaceful coexistence, so as to serve as a model for other multi religious states in Nigeria. The  paper employed both historical and empirical methods. The findings revealed that though some religious violence has been experienced  in Ilorin metropolis, inter-religious committee has been able to manage the crises and adherents of the two faiths live together in peace  without fear or intimidations. The ingredients of their peaceful co-existence include religious tolerance, equal opportunities in social  media, social interactions, fairness in appointment to political offices and establishment of inter-religious committee among others. It is  therefore recommended that continuous dialogue, religious tolerance, social interactions by religious leaders and fairness in  appointment which serve as bases for peaceful co-existence by the adherents of the two faiths in Ilorin metropolis, should also serve as  way forward for a peaceful co-existence among people in multi-religious states.