National Security and Religious Tolerance in Nigeria: Islamic Perspectives

Abstract

Nigeria, which is multi-ethnic and multi-religious in nature, is faced with religious violence. Religion that is supposed to be a unifying factor among several ethnic groups in Nigeria has turned out to be one of the catalysts that are causing destruction of lives and properties due to narrow-mindedness misunderstanding, fundamentalism and fanaticism and religious adherent. Islam as a religion of peace attaches premium attention to peace in all its ramifications to pave the way for peaceful co-existence among adherents of different faiths in any nation. This paper shall explore causes, consequences and provide remedies from Islamic perspectives. The method employed in this paper is historical and analytical. Historically, the paper tends to unravel the historical events that are pertinent to the topic while analytical methods are meant to analyze the findings from the historical events; it ends with conclusions and recommendations. In carrying out this paper, the author has relied on history books, journals, newspapers and recent research works on the major scholars of Arabic and Islamic studies. In the end, the reader would have been convinced that Islam is a religion of peace, calling for peace at any time, at any place.