Nigeria's Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye today shared their stories of promoting peace and bridging religious divides in their country with ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz at Parliament House here.  

Ashafa and Wuye, who are on a three-day visit to Malaysia, were originally leaders of opposing religious militias in Nigeria, but became activists for inter-religious dialogue.  

Together in 1995 they created the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC) in the State of Kaduna in northern Nigeria and currently leading task forces to resolve conflicts across Nigeria.

Their stories have been made into a documentary film titled "The Imam and the Pastor".

At a press conference at Mohamed Nazri's office at Parliament House, Muhammad Ashafa and Wuye told reporters how they made a remarkable transition in promoting peace between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.

Koh: Emulate the Nigerians

Wuye said the Christians formed a militia to protect the Nigerian Christians and his hate for the Muslims then had no limits.

"... But one day a sermon on forgiveness changed my life and I met Ashafa unexpectedly in 1995 and gradually the relationship began to grow," he said.

NONE He also advised Malaysians not to allow any ideology that would jeopardise the relationship among the people.

Ashafa said that though he and Wuye differed on some theological issues, they were determined to contribute to the making of a safer world.

"The Malaysian government has taken a lot of proactive measures to make the country a peaceful nation. Malaysia's strength is in its diversity, especially in maintaining religious and racial relationships," he said.

Meanwhile, Koh said Malaysia should emulate measures taken by the two Nigerians in making relations between religions and races stay harmonious.  

- Bernama