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Socio-Economic and Political Dimensions of Christian and Muslim Pilgrimages in Lagos State, Nigeria
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Socio-Religious Activities of Christian and Muslim Youth Organisations in Promoting Inter Religious Relations in Selected Universities in Kwara, Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria
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Page will reload when a filter is selected or excluded.- Christian and Muslim youth organisations 1 results 1
- Christian-Muslim pilgrimage || || Religious ethos || 1 results 1
- Existing studies on pilgrimage have focused more on the spiritual dimension and have neglected the social, economic and political aspects. For instance, the activities of stakeholders such as state governments, pilgrims, retailers, bureau de change officers, and pilgrimage board officials are hardly explored from a holistic point of view, thus allowing for an abbreviated conception of pilgrimage. This study, therefore, examined the practice of pilgrimage in Lagos with a view to determining its socio-economic and political dimensions and how these interface with the ethos of Christian and Muslim pilgrimage. The study adopted Durkheim‘s functional theory, which describes religion as an institutional tool that influences behaviour of individuals and groups positively and negatively. The Pilgrimage Centres both in Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa and Local Airport, Ikeja were purposively selected as study locations. Qualitative data were obtained through observation and the interview of 50 informants randomly selected from a population of Christian and Muslim pilgrims, retailers of pilgrim souvenirs, officials of pilgrimage board, and bureau de change operators. Furthermore, six focus group discussions were held with 70 Christian and Muslim pilgrims. Data collected were subjected to content analysis. Majority of Christian and Muslim performing pilgrimages from Lagos State were state-sponsored and for the purpose of which the state expended between five and seven billion naira annually. Pilgrimage sponsorship constituted an aspect of patronage politics, as sponsored pilgrims were basically government officials and their spouses, senior civil servants, party faithful, clerics and others whose loyalty to the ruling party was being rewarded. or whose influences were adjudged crucial to achieving electoral successes in future. The Lagos State Government considered sponsorship of pilgrimages as a form of social responsibility, which has helped to foster inter-religious ties and cooperation among the two major religious groups in the State. Pilgrimage periods were equally boom time for businesses connected with the exercise, especially travel agencies and bureau de change operators, majority of whom claimed that the demand for foreign exchange doubled during pilgrimage seasons. In addition, some pilgrims, mostly women, utilised pilgrimage trips to shop for trade articles like jewelleries and items considered cheaper in the holy lands. Social activities like public feasting and wearing of common attire created cordial relationship among pilgrims and facilitated the development of new identity and social networks. Many pilgrims also embarked upon the exercise to enhance their upward social mobility, most especially as the titles of Alhaji/Alhaja and JP were widely seen as capable of conferring the bearers with statuses that could be deployed to advantage. The socio-economic and political dimensions of Christian and Muslim pilgrimage exercises were indicative of much emphasis on other mundane interests other than religious activities. This suggested the invasion of the religious domain by global materialism. For religious pilgrimages to retain their relevance and move beyond mere tourism, the basic rationale for the exercises, especially the aspects of piety and convenience, should be re-examined to ensure that ethics of the pilgrimage is preserved 1 results 1
- Inter-religious relations 1 results 1
- Lagos State 1 results 1
- Materialism 1 results 1
- 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 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 1 results 1
- Socio-religious activities 1 results 1
- Tourism || 1 results 1
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