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Abstract
Southwest Nigeria is known for its peaceful accommodation of people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. By the 19th and 20th centuries, interfaith relations were, to a considerable extent, cordial among Muslims, Christians, and practitioners of Traditional Religion. This harmony contributed meaningfully to human development in the region. However, in recent times, the situation has changed due to the influence of religious fundamentalism, particularism, exclusivism, and politics, which have, in some instances, strained the relationship, particularly between Muslims and Christians. Despite efforts by faith-based groups and government agencies to promote harmony through interfaith dialogue and peace initiatives, the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism/Salafism and Christian evangelism/Pentecostalism has led to increasing tension in Muslim-Christian relations. Islamic teachings permit Muslims to engage peacefully with non-Muslims, especially Jews and Christians, in worldly matters. This paper, therefore, examines Islam’s attitude towards people of other faiths and, from a historical perspective, explores the interreligious interactions that have existed among Muslims and adherents of other religions in Southwest Nigeria. It further analyses how interfaith-based organizations can contribute to human development, particularly in education, healthcare, and the economy. The paper concludes that the absence of harmonious interfaith relations may have a negative impact on human development in the Southwestern states of Nigeria.
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References
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- Al-Jibālī, Muhammad. The Inevitable Journey Part 1: Sickness – Regulations and Exhortations. Arlington, TX: Al-Kitab & As-Sunnah Publishing, 2003.
- Al-Jibālī, Muhammad. Zād al-Ma‘ād fī Hady Khayr al-‘Ibād (Provision for the Hereafter). Beirut: Mu’assasat al-Rayyan, 1998.
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- Salisu, Moshood Taiwo. “Custom and Customary Practices (Adah/’Uruf): Implications for the Contemporary Practice of Islam in Yorubaland.” In Religion, Peace and Development in Nigeria: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Odumuyiwa, edited by A.A. Akanni, K.E. Obasola, and O.A. Olatundun, 15–29. Ago-Iwoye: Department of Religious Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, 2014.
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References
Akintola, Ishaq L. “Contemporary Challenges Facing Islam in Yorubaland.” In Islam in Yorubaland: History, Education and Culture, edited by Muibi O. Opeloye, Muritala A. Bidmos, Afis Oladosu, and Ismail Musa. Lagos: University of Lagos Press and Bookshops, 2018.
Al-Jibālī, Muhammad. The Inevitable Journey Part 1: Sickness – Regulations and Exhortations. Arlington, TX: Al-Kitab & As-Sunnah Publishing, 2003.
Al-Jibālī, Muhammad. Zād al-Ma‘ād fī Hady Khayr al-‘Ibād (Provision for the Hereafter). Beirut: Mu’assasat al-Rayyan, 1998.
Babalola, E. O. “The Impact of African Magic and Medicine on the Growth and Development of Modern Nigeria: The Yoruba Experience.” In Religion, Governance and Development in the 21st Century, edited by Raji, R.A., A.P. Dopamu, and Akanmidu et al., 155–167. Ago-Iwoye: Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions, 2006.
Baiyeri, Banji Hezekiah. “The Role of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in Human Development: A Study of Kogi State.” M.A. thesis, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2013.
Bello, Mufutau Olusola. “Islam and Inter-Religious Harmony in Ekiti State: A Model for States in Southwestern Nigeria.” In New Paradigm in Arabic and Islamic Studies in Nigeria: Essays in Honour of Professor Muslih, edited by Adam Adebayo Sirajudeen et al., 166–174. Department of Languages, Federal University of Kashere, 2018.
Gulen, Fethullah. Muhammad, the Messenger of God: An Analysis of the Prophet’s Life. New Jersey: Tughra Books, 2014.
Ibrahim, Rafiu Adebayo. “The Role of Muslims in Healthcare Service Delivery in Nigeria.” In Religion and Development in Nigeria, edited by Y.A. Quadri, R.W. Omotoye, and R.I. Adebayo, 104–116. London: Adonis & Abbey, 2018.
Inbuon, Carey. “Inter-Faith Relations and the Different Approaches in the Theology of Religions.” Accessed July 2022. https://www.academia.edu.
Islamic Education Trust. Muslim Relations with Christians, Jews and Others: Association, Dissociation, Kindness, Justice and Compassion. Minna: Da‘wah Institute of Nigeria, 2018.
Ita, Ene Blessing. “Human Development in Nigeria.” International Journal of African and Asian Studies 62 (2020): 40–49.
Khan, Muhammad Muhsin, trans. The Translation of the Meanings of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī. Vol. 8. Riyadh: Darussalam Publishers and Distributors, 1997.
Muritadha, Muhibbu-Din A. “Religious Truth as Unity in Diversity in Abrahamic Faiths: Implications for Muslims–Ahl al-Kitāb Relations.” In Fluorescence of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Nigeria: Festschrift in Honour of Professor Wahab O.A. Nasiru, edited by Z.I. Oseni. Ibadan: HEBN Publishers, 2008.
Ogunbado, Ahamad Faosiy. “Historical Development of Muslim Education in Yorubaland, Southwest Nigeria.” Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies 4, no. 8 (2016): 13–21.
Opeloye, Muibi O. Building Bridges of Understanding Between Islam and Christianity in Nigeria. Inaugural Lecture Series. Lagos: Lagos State University, 2001.
Opeloye, Muibi O. “Islam and Inter-Religious Relations in Yorubaland.” In Islam in Yorubaland: History, Education and Culture, edited by Muibi O. Opeloye, Muritala A. Bidmos, Afis Oladosu, and Ismail Musa. Lagos: University of Lagos Press and Bookshops, 2018.
Oxford University Press. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. 10th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020.
Peel, J.D.Y. Christianity, Islam and Orisa Religion: Three Traditions in Comparison and Interaction. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2016.
Salisu, Moshood Taiwo. “Custom and Customary Practices (Adah/’Uruf): Implications for the Contemporary Practice of Islam in Yorubaland.” In Religion, Peace and Development in Nigeria: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Odumuyiwa, edited by A.A. Akanni, K.E. Obasola, and O.A. Olatundun, 15–29. Ago-Iwoye: Department of Religious Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, 2014.
Salawu, Saheed. “Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation Distributes N39m to Widows, Others in Lagos.” Nigerian Tribune, July 1, 2022. https://www.tribuneonlineng.com.
Shittu, Mujahid Hamza. “An Appraisal of ‘Dialogue of the Truth’ and Inter-Religious Dialogue in Nigeria: A Muslim Viewpoint.” African Journal of Religion, Philosophy and Culture 1, no. 1 (2020): 9–29. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354858461.
Thowhidul, Islam Md. “Peaceful Coexistence of Various Religious Groups in Islam: Some Examples from the History of Muslim Societies.” Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization (JITC) 8, no. 2 (2018): 183–203.
UNDP. The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development. Accessed July 2022. http://www.undp.org.
Wikipedia. “Yoruba Population.” Accessed July 2022. https://en.m.wikipedia.org.
World Population Review. “World Religion.” Accessed July 2022. https://www.worldpopulationreview.com/religion.