DALUNG CALLS FOR RELIGIOUS HARMONY AMONG NIGERIANS.

From: John Isaac

My people perished for lack of knowledge says the Holy Scriptures. The level of distrust between Christianity and Islam especially in Nigeria has provoked the need to reflect on history. The unhealthy rivalry between these faiths usually ended in violent conflicts leading to destruction of lives and property.  Governments have set up many Commissions of Inquiry whose reports are cooling down in the archives without any attention.  

Kindly read the following narratives carefully and thoughtful then provide your views by answering the questions below.

Persecution by the Quraysh grew fiercer every day and the sufferings of the Prophet's disciples became unbearable. He had heard of the righteousness, tolerance and hospitality of the neighboring Christian king of Abyssinia. He recommended such of his companions who were without protection to seek refuge in the kingdom of that pious king, Al Najashi (Negus). Some fifteen of the unprotected adherents of Islam promptly availed themselves of the advice and sailed to Abyssinia. 

Here they met with a very kind reception from the Negus. This is called the first hijrah (migration) in the history of Islam and occurred in the fifth year of the Prophet Muhammad's mission, A.D. 615. These emigrants were soon followed by many of their fellow sufferers, until the number reached eighty-three men and eighteen women.

When the Quraysh learned that Prophet Muhammad's companions could safely practice their religion in Abyssinia, they decided to send an embassy to the Negus to demand return of the fugitives. They selected two envoys, ‘Amr ibn al-‘As and Abdullah bin Rabiah and gave them gifts for the king and his generals. The gifts were made up of leather prepared by fine skin, Abyssinians were fond of leather goods so it was a bribe for them. The Meccans appealed to the generals, arguing that the emigrants were "foolish youths" who invented a new religion the likes of which neither the Meccans nor the Abyssinians had heard of and that their relatives were asking for their return. The king granted them audience, but he refused to hand over people who had sought his protection until he heard their side of the story.

The Muslims were brought in front of the Negus or "al-Najashi" in Arabic and his bishops. Ja‘far ibn Abī Tālib, who acted as the leader of the exiles, spoke in their defense. He described to the king how they lived before Islam, Muhammad's prophetic mission, and what he had taught them. He also spoke of the persecution they had faced at the hands of the Quraysh. The king asked if they had with them anything which had come from God. When Ja‘far confirmed, the king commanded him to read it. Ja‘far then recited a passage from Surah Maryam (Chapter of Mary). When the king heard it, he wept and exclaimed: "verily, this and what Jesus brought (Gospel) has come from the same source of light (miškāt)". He then affirmed that he would never give up the Muslims.

However, one of the envoys, ‘Amr ibn al-‘As, thought of another tactic. On the following day he returned to the king and told him that the Muslims had said a dreadful thing about Jesus. When the Muslims heard that the king summoned them again to question them about their view of Jesus, they tried to find a diplomatic answer, but finally decided to speak according to the revelation they had received. When the king addressed Ja‘far, he replied that they held Jesus to be "God's servant, His prophet, His spirit, and His word which He cast upon the virgin Mary". Upon hearing these words, the Negus declared that Jesus was indeed what he had said. He turned to the Muslims and told them: "go, for you are safe in my country." He then returned the gifts to the envoys and dismissed them. Based on the timeframe of the hijra, it is presumed that the Negus was King Armah.

What are the remote causes of the religious conflicts ? 

Was this how it was from the beginning? 

What was the nature of relationship between Christians and Muslims from the beginning and what went wrong? 

Love you all in Jesus Name and happy Sunday.