THE EFFECT OF BOKO HARAM ON MUSLIM CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP: A STUDY OF MADAGALI LGA IN ADAMAWA STATE

THE EFFECT OF BOKO HARAM ON MUSLIM CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP: A STUDY OF MADAGALI LGA IN ADAMAWA STATE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Religiosity is an indispensable aspect of humans. It is one of the most active factors and impulse in the component and character of humans. Over the centuries, religiosity make humans to ask and grapple with fundamental questions about existence. Yet, it is in the religious horizon of life that people seek answers to such questions and, derive solutions to the predicaments that surround life experience. Religious worldviews and ideology are therefore the function of human effort to fathom the underlying realities of existence and, to overly and tacitly lead live of fulfilment. Given the diversity and variation in human intellectual development and capacity, a plethora of ‘ways’ to approaching the fundamental realities of life flourish across the world. Each with its own distinctive cultural imprints and background. Each religion stuffs the human society with its own prism of understanding the world – distinct belief systems and prerequisite codes of conduct. The corpus of convictions may be presented in a way that appeal to peoples’ conscience and sense of reason. The convictions may also be introduced in the form of aggression and violence, which threaten human liberty and freewill.

No religion however unique exist outside of the world space. All religions are contingent players in the human arena of affairs – complex activities, ideologies, interests and thought patterns. Each polar and character of humans compete for attention, flourish and sustenance at diverse frequencies, tempo and time frames. The co-existence of humans whose personalities and experience differ according to cultural diversity variables is also inevitable. This is more so, as every religious tradition finds its expression in a given cultural background, such that the believers and votaries of such faith are the carriers of such founding culture and worldview, different from those who share other religious convictions. Yet, humans must co-exist, especially in this age of increased cross-cultural contact – a situation in which the barriers between cultures and religious traditions are disappearing. Thus, there is global awareness for interfaith understanding, tolerance and improved human relations. Although, world religious traditions engage in fanatical outbursts and action, “one thing they have in common is the pedagogy of human harmony and vision of peace” (Molloy, 2002, p. 542).

The understanding of the inevitability of human living in the midst of other people and their religious and cultural differences is the fundamental reason why Muslims and Christians co-exist in Nigeria and elsewhere. Since the sovereign existence of modern Nigeria, the two faiths have been existing as the predominant religions in the country. In spite of their differences, their Abrahamic background and the inevitability of global change and integration make the two religions to repress many of their fundamental differences. The religious conflicts which however ensue between them are always managed, to pave way for co-existence. But in recent time the emergence of the Boko Haram – an Islamic sect carrying out bloody insurgence and wanton destruction of properties in the country has become a clog in the wheel of relations between the two religions. Consequently, the relationship between the two faiths in the country has degenerated from its hitherto epileptic state to paralysis, heading toward permanent damage that obstruct co-existence.

​​​​​​​STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Since 2009, the Boko Haram insurgency group has conducted guerilla warfare in the Northeast of Nigeria. This has led to massive loss of lives, a refugee crisis, as well as the destruction of economic infrastructures in already one of the poorest parts of the country. The declared goal of the group is to carve out an independent Islamic state in the North of Nigeria. This Islamist nature of the group, as well as its proclaimed targeting of Christian settlements in the North, can also have consequences for Muslim-Christian relations in the Nigerian society.

Muslims and Christians are the most dominant religious groups in Nigeria and take up roughly the same shares of the total population. Muslims are predominantly present in the North of the country, while the majority of Christians reside in the South. Importantly, Muslim-Christian relations are politically salient in the country and have previously led to violent conflict. Shortly after independence, for example, violent riots against Southern Igbo's in the North led to a bloody secessionist conflict: the Biafra Civil War. Deteriorating inter-religious relations can therefore have a grave impact on the country's political stability.

This research project aims to assess the effect of boko haram on Muslim-christian relationship: a study of Madagali LGA in Adamawa State. The project makes use of historical data, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and community perceptions' surveys.

​​​​​​​OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of Boko Haram on muslim christian relationship: a study of Madagali LGA in Adamawa State. Other objectives of this study are:

1. To discuss the causes of ethno-religious conflicts in between muslim and christian.
2. To determine the extent to which the emergence of Boko Haram has affected Muslim-christian relationship in Madagali LGA in Adamawa State.
3. To determine whether the emergence of Boko Haram has influenced christian’s view of Muslims.
4. To examine the factors that influence Muslim-christian relationship in Madagali LGA in Adamawa State.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

1. What is the extent to which the emergence of Boko Haram has affected Muslim-christian relationship in Madagali LGA in Adamawa State?
2. Has the emergence of Boko Haram influenced christian’s view of muslims?
3. What are the factors that influence Muslim-christian relationship in Madagali LGA in Adamawa State?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be greatly beneficial to the society as the findings of this study will reveal the effects Boko Haram has had on the society, precisely on the christian community. This study will also serve as a pilot study for further research and future reference.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the effect of Boko Haram on Muslim christian relationship: a study of Madagali LGA in Adamawa State.

​​​​​​​SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is mainly focused on the effect of boko haram on Muslim christian relationship: a study of Madagali LGA in Adamawa State. Precisely, it is focused on determining whether the emergence of Boko Haram affected the Muslim christian relationship in Madagali LGA in Adamawa State, determining whether the emergence of Boko Haram has influenced Christian's view of Muslims and examining the factors that influence Muslim christian relationship in Madagali LGA in Adamawa State.

Selected Muslim and christian residents of Madagali LGA in Adamawa State will serve as the respondents for this study.

​​​​​​​LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

​​​​​​​DEFINITION OF TERMS

Boko haram: Boko Haram, officially known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād, is a terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria, which is also active in Chad, Niger, and northern Cameroon.

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