THE TOP 2 SECRETS OF RELIGIOUS HARMONY IN KUBWA

There is a powerful secret behind the religious harmony Kubwa is enjoying. Kubwa, as a community, has enjoyed a commendable level of religious harmony, tolerance, and understanding among residents. It is very important to be conscious of this so that residents know how to manage and sustain this communal harmony.

Every week, adherents of the two big faith paths, as well as those of the less popular but equally vibrant ones in Nigeria, move in their number, brightly dressed and looking excited, to converge at designated locations to enjoy fellowship and worship.

Speaking with residents to find out how practical the apparent harmony is in daily life revealed something quite interesting. Mallam Aliyu Muazu, a fashion designer, identified a very fundamental reason when asked why he thought the harmony exists; he identified “educational awareness” as the most important factor, adding that the people of Kubwa are “not negatively oriented about one another”. This point suggests a high level of social education among residents, which enables them view persons of other persuasions properly. Muazu also added, “My next-door neighbour is a Christian. We live like brothers”. The neighbours feel confident to leave their children in his care even when they travel, he stated.

…living side by side with persons of various tribes and beliefs, and they had no option but to cooperate with each other

Also responding along the same line, Jeslyn, a mother and a practising Christian in Phase 2 Site 1, views the religious harmony in Kubwa as a result of individual residents basically minding their business. She believes that economy, and the need to trade with each other, are the reasons why people don’t have the time to consider what others believe or worship. “I don’t see people based on their religion while interacting with them”, she said. She also pointed out that she shares a compound with a Muslim family, and they get along very well.

The two residents agree that they see people and not the religious beliefs they hold. Mallam Muazu stated that where misunderstanding arose, he had to educate people on the need to relate with each other without religious considerations. Jeslyn, on the other had said “I have not really been in their space to know how they will react to me” buttressing her earlier point that everyone seems to mind their business.

However, it cannot be forgotten that there was an unfortunate murder of a Christian woman preacher in 2016, here in Kubwa, which sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation. The matter was so well handled and controlled that the aftermath led to a better awareness of the need to understand the unique characteristics of each faith and how to manage them.

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But beyond education, and residents basically staying out of each other’s way, here are the top two (2) secrets that have helped sustain religious harmony in the town.

Early Development and House Allocation
In the early 90s, when federal civil servants were moved to abuja accommodation was allocated not on the basis of tribe or religion. This ensured that staff found themselves living side by side with persons of various tribes and beliefs, and they had no option but to cooperate with each other.

Economy and Trade
Since we “did not come to Abuja to count bridge”, almost all of us focus more on how to make money to take care of our families. The service we need the most is provided by people of with religious beliefs different from our own. For instance, the tomato seller in Kubwa and the pharmacist are very much likely to be persons of different faith, but having seen the need to trade with each other, every sense of religious bigotry is relegated, and economic considerations are elevated.

These are the real secrets that keep Kubwa and maybe some other parts of Abuja calm and in religious harmony.

Do you know any other reason, or do you want to give us feedback? Share with us in the comment section and let get talking!