APPRAISING THE PHENOMENON OF PLURALISM AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Résumé

The paper examined the phenomenon of pluralism and religious dialogue in Northern Nigeria. The phenomenon religious pluralism is one of the reasons of religious conflicts and these religious conflicts have many negative effects on the country. Given the growing religious tension between Muslims and Christian in Northern Nigeria, the need to rethink the phenomenon of religious dialogue becomes imperative. The study adopted the historical, phenomenological and analytic methods in order to analyse the religious pluralism in Northern Nigeria, pluralism and religious dialogue in Northern Nigeria, Christian-Muslim interaction in Northern Nigeria, the history of religious dialogue in Northern Nigeria, threats to peace between Christians and Muslims in Northern Nigeria in order to enhance an effective dialogue between Christian and Muslims in Northern Nigeria. The study relies on primary and secondary sources. A Sample of 14 respondents was used in the study. It is found out in the study that the universal claim by the adherent of both Islam and Christianity as to which religion is superior is one of the major problems in Northern Nigeria today. It is also found out in the paper that many people are ignorant of the facts that, religious pluralism in Nigeria presents a great challenge for effective religious dialogue and peaceful co-existence in Northern Nigeria. This is seen in the instances of religious hostilities, violent, terrorist activities, herdersfarmer conflict and clashes in Northern Nigeria. The study recommended that, Muslims and Christians should make their message of peace practical oriented and should check other tendencies such as intolerance, fanaticism and extremism in their interactions and religious practices.