Socio-Religious Activities Of Christian And Muslim Youth Organisations In Promoting Inter-Religious Relations In Selected Universities In Kwara, Ogun And Oyo States, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Socio-religious (S-R) activities, which are apparent in Christian and Muslim youth

organisations, are an integral part of their convenance. Previous studies on S-R activities

have dwelt on their contributions to the growth of Christian and Muslim communities

with little attention to their relevance in enhancing inter-religious relations in Nigerian

universities. This study, therefore, examined scriptural studies, outreaches, social and

educational activities of Christian and Muslim youth organisations in selected universities

in Kwara, Ogun and Oyo states, Nigeria, with a view to identifying how they promote

inter-religious relations.

This study is premised on Hans Kung‟s theory of interaction of religions. One thousand

two hundred copies of a questionnaire were purposively administered in equal proportion

to leaders and members of Unilorin Christian Union (UCU), Ogun Varsity Christian

Fellowship (OVCF), Ibadan Varsity Christian Union (IVCU) and Muslim Students‟

Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), University of Ibadan

(UI) and University of Ilorin (Unilorin). In-depth interviews were conducted with

randomly selected 45 Christians and 45 Muslims: 14 advisers, 26 leaders and 50

members of the organisations. Data were subjected to descriptive and thematic analyses.

Four S-R activities common to the six organisations identified were: scriptural studies,

outreaches, social and educational programmes. Eighty Five percent of the respondents

noted that scriptural studies on religious teachings and right conduct enlighten them on

religious beliefs and godly virtues for peaceful conduct and relationship. In OOU, this

engendered collaborative prayers for the university by christian and muslim students. In

UI and UniIlorin, despite previous strained relationships, inter-religious relations between

christian and muslim students has improved. Outreach programmes involve faith sharing,

interaction and provision of welfare needs. They create platforms for inter-religious

encounter, support and mutual understanding of each other's faiths. Ninety percent of the

respondents also attested to it that outreach programmes facilitate knowledge on the

import of mutual respect for religious rights, relations and tolerance, although it has

caused friction due to misconception and over zealousness in times past. Social

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programmes (sports and excursion) are for recreation and social discourses. They

facilitate appreciation, participation of students of other faiths and peaceful relationships,

which break religious barriers, promotes better interaction and joint representations for

mutual success. In OOU, Christian and Muslim students attend and support each other

during their social programmes while MSSN UI invited Christians as facilitators.

Educational programmes are for learning/tutorials, seminars and symposia for skill

acquisition and development. They promote academic interactions, aid mutual quest for

knowledge and advocacy against social vices. In UniIlorin, the streamlining of religious

youth organisations fostered religious harmony and co-operation between christian and

muslim students. Also, 90.0% of the respondents affirmed that their social and

educational activities had helped to stem the tide of campus cultism and religious

extremism and enhanced cordial relations among students.

Scriptural studies, outreaches, social and educational activities of Christian and Muslim

youth organisations have promoted inter-religious relations in the selected universities in

Nigeria. These should be sustained and extended to other universities in Nigeria to further

promote cordial inter-religious relations.

Keywords: Socio-religious activities, Christian and Muslim youth organisations, Interreligious