:: From the Cross to the Crescent

PREFACE This is the first in a new series of Occasional Papers to be published by the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA). The purpose of the Occasional Papers series is to provide academic and practical information on Christian-Muslim relations in Africa to those who are engaged in this important area of work within and outside Africa, or are simply interested in knowing historical and contemporary developments in Christian-Muslim relations around the continent. The first Occasional Paper consists of a collection of papers, most of which were presented at a PROCMURA, Area Advisers/African Christian Islamicists Consultation held in Accra, Ghana in July 2002. The consultation was organized by PROCMURA in fulfillment of its stated objective to work closely with African Christian Islamicists who are currently outside the PROCMURA fold, with the view of sharing information and to invite them to be partners of PROCMURA in promoting Christian-Muslim constructive engagement in the continent. Organised under the theme Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, the consultation sought to share experiences on constructive engagements for peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims in the continent, and worrying engagements that turn Christians and Muslims into bad neighbours. Papers presented during the consultation ranged from country and area reports on Christian-Muslim relations, to thematic topics of academic and practical nature. A very important subject matter, which took centre stage both in the academic and practical papers, was the question of the sharī’a, its implementation, and what that means for Christian-Muslim relations in the continent. In all there were twenty-three (23) participants drawn from twelve countries around the continent. Other participants from different countries who could not attend for one reason or the other sent in papers. In calling the Occasional Paper From the Cross to the Crescent, accompanied by the symbol of a dove taking off from the Christian Cross to the Muslim crescent we are reiterating one of the main objectives of PROCMURA, which is to extend a hand of friendship and peace to our Muslim neighbours across Africa and the world at large with the hope that they will reciprocate such good will so that together we may live in peace. This issue of the Occasional Paper starts with a background paper by Johnson Mbillah on Interfaith Relations in Africa. Mbillah’s paper provides a general overview of the current situation of Christian-Muslim relations in Africa and sets the stage for the other papers that follow. One of the major concerns in Christian-Muslim relations today is the growing assertion of Muslims in a number of countries to introduce the Islamic Law (sharī’a) in its totality and the objection of Christians that to do so will infringe on their rights as co-citizens in a given country or region. The situation in most northern states of Nigeria and the Sudan are of particular relevance and interest as they can be seen as ‘signposts’ to what the introduction of the sharī’a is and may be in other African nations. The issue of sharī’a in Nigeria is dealt with in the papers by Josiah Idowu-Fearon, The sharī’a Debate in the Northern States of Nigeria and its Implications for West Africa Sub-Region, and by Emmanuel Oyelade, The sharī’a and National Unity in Nigeria These papers help to put the present situation into context and give an insight into the complexities of the situation in that country. Samuel Ador’s paper, sharī’a: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives in the Sudan, gives an overview of the development of sharī’a in the Sudan. His paper is timely, especially when at the moment the on-going Peace Talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) are also discussing the issue. Reflecting on the impact of sharī’a on non-Muslims, especially ‘the People of the Book’ (Ahl al-Kitab), who by classical Islamic definition are Christians, Jews and Sabeans. John Chesworth’s paper, Dhimmi Status in Islam from a Historical Perspective with Implications for Present Day Africa, examines the status of Christians in an Islamic state where the sharī’a has been the legal code. The final papers in this collection examine aspects of interfaith dialogue. Catherine Jarra in, Dialogue for Peaceful Co-Existence between Christians and Muslims: The Sociological Dimension, discusses the practical realities of Christians and Muslims living peacefully together. Corneille Verduijn in his paper entitled, Religious Groups Involvement with the Forum for National Reconciliation in the Ivory Coast relates the role that religious groups, both Christians and Muslim, play in the current attempts at national reconciliation in the Ivory Coast. A communiqué issued after the consultation and the list of participants concludes this first Occasional paper of PROCMURA. Johnson A. Mbillah & John Chesworth – Editors.