CAN president blames Nigeria’s problem on absence of inter-religious studies in schools

According to the CAN president, Samson Ayokunle, the absence of inter-religious studies in our schools is the reason for cases like the recent one in Kaduna state.

Premium Times reports that he shared this information while delivering his speech in Vienna, Austria at an Interfaith Seminar organized by KAICIID.

In his paper titled, “Interreligious education and common citizenship values,” Ayokunle said the incessant religious riots in Nigeria can be stopped once History, Civics, and Inter-religious Education are taught in schools.

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Why inter-religious studies in schools is the solution to religious violence

Read his full speech below:

“In those days in Nigeria when we used to study history and civics in primary and secondary schools, basic knowledge of at least Christianity and Islam were taught, but today, when history is no longer taught, Inter-religious education has become more difficult.

“This to an extent may be responsible for a surge in religious violence more rampant now in Nigeria. All religious groups in Nigeria in particular and the globe, in general, must make a concerted effort towards government’s inclusion of Inter-religious Education in the schools' curricula."

“All over the world, the current trend is that educational institutions — colleges, universities (many are not religiously affiliated!) and even certain seminaries — are actively looking for ways to respond to the issues of education in a religiously multi-faceted world.

“They seek to entrench a transformational process through which students could be educated to become global citizens with an understanding of the diversity of religious traditions and with strategies of pluralism that engage diversity in creative and productive ways. Obviously, inter-religious education is increasingly essential for equipping people to be citizens of the world.

“Therefore, from a societal as well as pedagogical points of view, all academic institutions irrespective of their theological affiliation or inclination should be obliged to foster a religious dimension to citizenship.”

Mr. Ayokunle added that Interreligious education helps to shape “people’s and societies’ religious identities, as well as in shaping perceptions about the other.

“It douses the tension of stereotype or resentment against other peoples’ religion which causes distance in relationships. It increases beneficial inter-relationships and widens the student’s family network. Religiously bi-literate or educated people who know the history and theology of other religions are likely to have better grasp or understanding of world politics, history, culture, and literature.

“Inter-religious Education gives students or people ample opportunities to make an informed decision in adulthood of the religion they have the conviction to practice in life. Inter-religious education reduces religious conflicts and promotes mutual co-existence. Inter-religious education gives the opportunity to see the world from more than one religious perspective and make better-informed decisions."