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How Can Agriculture Contribute to Peace?

By
Pablo Molina Asensi
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Still image of aerial view of Kampot Pepper Plantation Phnom Voar Mountain Cambodia, photo by Amazing Aerial via Storyblocks.

Agricultural development and food security play a key role in strengthening peace in fragile societies. According to Ambassador George Moose, Acting President and CEO of United States Institute for Peace, “Agriculture has been… the bedrock upon which American democracy and American prosperity have been built.” Additionally, “ the American people have been generous in sharing that bounty with people all around the world,” as the United States’ government’s efforts to tie food security to societal resilience, embodied in the 1954 Food for Peace Act, through which the U.S. has historically provided food assistance across the world.

Moose said that the war in Ukraine’s effect on food prices worldwide demonstrated that global hunger and war are interconnected, and also warned that long-term weather trends are disrupting food availability. He expressed hope that agricultural development would offer solutions, saying that “the development of agriculture has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in building resilience, peace, and prosperity in vulnerable communities across the world.”

Kenneth Quinn, a former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and former President of the World Food Prize Foundation, discussed efforts to remove mines, upgrade infrastructure, and develop agriculture in Cambodia. Quinn said these efforts played a key role in stabilizing Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge government was overthrown by a Vietnamese invasion in 1970. “We had eradicated the worst, genocidal, mass murdering terrorist organization of the second half of the 20th century, using the formula of demining, upgrading new roads, new seeds. Peace through agriculture,” he said.

During their rule over Cambodia, attempts by the Khmer Rouge to transform the country into an agrarian socialist republic inspired by Maoist ideals led to a genocide that killed almost a quarter fo Cambodia’s population.

Gloria Steele, Former Acting Administrator for USAID, explained the ties between food security, climate, and conflict. “We’ve seen in places such as Sri Lanka in 2022, when food supply became so scarce that prices went up and there were food riots,” Steele said. “We know today that 40 percent of global land has been degraded, making arable land more scarce and bringing about land conflicts, and this accounts for the long-term civil war in Nigeria, for example, and in many other places.”

Michael Franken, the Co-Lead of the Defense Science Board Study on Climate Change and Global Security, said that if conflict is fire, climate change is fuel, and food security is the spark that can set it ablaze. He said that this had forced the U.S. military to take climate change more seriously. “The military is intent on creating a single entity to talk about climate and weather,” he said. He added that more effort should be made to focus support in regions predicted to suffer extreme weather disasters.

Laura Pavlovic, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for USAID Conflict Prevention and Stabilization, agreed, saying that climate change is an accelerant to conflict in already fragile countries. “This, overtime, has really degraded the resilience of countries in which USAID is operating,” she said. She added that these mutually compounding challenges were also exacerbating inequality, with women disproportionately bearing the brunt of climate change and economic shocks.

“Climate change had traditionally been seen as a tomorrow problem. Unfortunately… the impacts are becoming increasingly severe and too immediate to ignore.” Pavlociv pointed to the example of South Sudan, where she said that one can “actually see on a map, flooding and the immediate aftermath of natural resource-related conflict, food insecurity, etcetera.”

USAID, Pavlovic said, is working to overlay conflict mapping with climate maps to better understand food insecurity. “Fundamentally, the challenge that food security presents is that it undermines the political stability of countries,” she said, adding that successive cycles of conflict and malnutrition have a pervasive negative impact on development in countries, and that violent extremist organizations leverage climate-induced instability and scarcity as a recruitment opportunity. She also said that displacement caused by climate shocks can destabilize migrants’ regions of origin and host communities.

Steele said that the best way for the U.S. to support local leadership in addressing the nexus of food insecurity, climate change, and conflict is to focus on education and training local emerging leaders to support good governance and oppose corruption. All the experts agreed that the three main requirements for an effective U.S. approach to this complex problem were local ownership, a focus on prevention before the onset of climate disasters, and an all-of-government approach that brings together policymakers from the State Department, the Department of Defense, and USAID.

The experts discussed how agriculture can contribute directly to peace, and how different humanitarian organizations are helping build communities resilient to climate shocks. Matthew Nims, the Director of the Washington Office of the World Food Programme, said that “conflict has become the main driver of food insecurity, in many forms,” with conflicts also lasting longer, becoming more intractable, and peaceful solutions more difficult to find.

Katy Crosby, Senior Director of U.S. Policy and Advocacy at Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian NGO, said that the group increasingly sees food insecurity as driven by systemic factors and compounded by climate change, and that complex problems necessarily require cross-sector solutions. She argued for a combination of pro-poor market policies to increase access to nutritious food and  effective governance of natural resources to make agriculture more sustainable. She also said that empowering women to purchase nutritious food has a multiplier effect, expanding food security to their entire families.

Ann Vaughan, Deputy Assistant Administrator at USAID’s Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, highlighted the importance of maintaining trust and market access in crisis situations. She said that it was necessary to produce trust within communities to ensure that critical products like food and fertilizers are traded and go where they are needed. 

On a similar note, she spoke to the importance of keeping borders open to trade during food crises, and pointed to significant diplomatic successes in this area. She said that during price spikes caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zambia kept grain flowing into Kenya and helped stabilize the latter country’s grain prices. In turn, Ugandan and Tanzanian maize exports relieved stress caused in Zambia by a particularly intense El Niño. She said that preserving market stability and supporting farmers during food crisis was essential: “Don’t give up on them even during conflict, because just starting from scratch again is very difficult.”

The experts also spoke about innovative measures that different organizations had taken to help communities adapt in the face of environmental disruption. Crosby said that in Latin America, where remittances are a critical source of funding, she had worked with a company providing remittance financial services, sharing climate information so that senders of remittances knew to send money early in anticipation of climate shocks.

Nims said that providing accurate early warning information about weather events is critical, and that technological innovation that produced translation software for local West African dialects helped WFP with aid delivery, and also allowed them to provide farmers with relevant information about upcoming weather conditions.

Integrating social cohesion and psychosocial support in aid programming also helps heal communities in the aftermath of conflict, said Crosby. Using the example of tensions caused by returnees in Iraq who had either joined armed groups like ISIS or been kidnapped by them, she said that intercommunal conversations needed to go hand in hand with discussions of economic needs. Crosby called for “not minimizing the very real trauma that underlies the very real violence that has gone on, and ensuring that we are not burying those with economic support,” and said that economic support and social cohesion work should be balanced.

The diverse roster of development and humanitarian experts spoke at an event hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in early December, titled “Peace Through Agriculture: How Food Security Can Help Post-Conflict Recovery.”

United States Institute of Peace, speak at USIP’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. on December 3. (Image credit: United States Institute of Peace).

The event ended with a fireside chat between Ambassador Moose and Heidi Kühn, the founder of Roots of peace, a humanitarian organization that works with local communities to remove landmines and turn former minefields into sustainable farmland. Speaking about how Roots of Peace had been able to keep working in Afghanistan even after the Taliban takeover in 2021, she echoed Moose’s initial remarks, saying: “We have to go back to the altruistic spirit of America and think about the children of the Earth that deserve to be fed.”

Kühn closed the conference with an emotional address where she quoted the Book of Isaiah.

“May they beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, so that nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

Keywords: agriculture, peace, conflict, conflict resolution, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, farming, infrastructure, mining

Peace Desperately Needed as M23 Rebels Claim Takeover of Goma, DRC

By
Tara Abhasakun
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Goma, DRC, photo by Lydie Maliki via Wikipedia.

On January 27, Rwandan-backed M23 rebels claimed the takeover of Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The rebels have captured the city’s airport, as well as the border with Rwanda. Many Congolese people have fled to Goma from M23’s presence in other parts of the region in the past, however, after the recent takeover, nearly half a million people have now fled the city. Some humanitarian organizations, such as Mercy Corps, have relocated their staff due to the dangers of the takeover.

Anadolu Ajansi reports that 17 peacekeepers have been killed in clashes with rebels, and CNN reports that the UN has called on M23 to reverse its advances. Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, told CNN that fighters had reportedly raped civilians, and that there were many dead bodies in the streets.

M23, or the March 23 Movement, is made up of Tutsi fighters who claim to be fighting for the rights of DRC’s Tutsi minority. While there are many armed groups in the region, M23 is one of the strongest. One major reason for that is Rwanda’s support for M23. In June 2024, an investigation commissioned by the UN Security Council revealed that the DRC’s neighbor, Rwanda, has actively backed this armed group, with the Rwanda Defence Force identified as having ‘de facto’ control over M23. 

The conflict between M23 and the DRC’s government has caused immense suffering for the people of the DRC. Both M23 and Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) have committed grave war crimes and violations of international law, including unlawful killings and sexual violence. DRC’s crisis has left over 7 million people internally displaced, accounting for 10 percent of the world’s internally displaced people (IDPs).

In October 2024, Peace News Network (PNN) spoke to displaced civilians in Goma. The civilians described daily hardships such as issues getting food, and bombings by M23. One civilian told PNN “I would agree that peace has returned to the Congo when we hear that M23 and the FDLR are no longer in the country.”

When PNN spoke to people in Goma in March 2023, many believed that sought-after minerals, especially cobalt, used in smartphones and emerging green technology, were fueling the conflict. They called it an “economic war.” Experts on the region stressed the need to enforce any international agreements intended to ensure that the mining of cobalt and other minerals is done responsibly, with calls for international technology companies to vet their supply chains more rigorously.

Are Tech Companies Fueling Conflict in the DRC?

Analysts told Reuters that M23’s recent gains in DRC are likely to boost the group’s illegal mining revenues. Gregory Mthembu-Salter, director of Phuzumoya Consulting, said that Lumbishi and its gold mines are “likely to prove a significant source of revenue for M23.” Reuters reported that in 2023, UAE declared importing around $885 million in gold from Rwanda, a 75 percent jump from the previous five-year average.

Since the end of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, Kigali has been deeply involved in the DRC. The First and Second Congo Wars— which led to millions of deaths and involved many other African countries— were both caused by Rwandan invasions of Congolese territory, and led to the current crisis. During the 2023 Congolese elections, President Félix Tshisekedi threatened to invade Rwanda in retaliation, which was met with reciprocated threats by Rwandan President Paul Kagame. 

To learn more about the history of the DRC’s conflict, and the challenges to peace in the country, read PNN’s February 2024 article about its legacy of failed peace processes. You can also view our September 2024 article on how Congolese refugees in Rwanda imagine a peaceful agrarian future with their Rwandan neighbors. To learn how former combatants are laying down their arms to build peace in other parts of DRC, read here.

Keywords: Goma, DRC, takeover, capture, M23 rebels, M23, rebels, peace, conflict, war, Congo, Rwanda, Tutsis

Can Sports Unite Nigerian Youth?

By
Mohammed Ibrahim
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Youth Skaters from different tribes and religions participated in the Peace and Unity Skating competition in Kaduna State in 2024. Photo by Kabiru Abdulrahman.

In Northern Nigeria, youth are increasingly turning to sports, such as skating and football, to foster tolerance and peace. Historically, young people have often been exploited as instruments of unrest and crisis during regional conflicts in regions with tribal and religious diversity.

Following the April 2011 presidential election, for example, deadly election-related and communal violence in northern Nigeria left more than 800 people dead, according to Human Rights Watch. The victims were killed in three days of rioting in 12 northern states including Kaduna, and the majority of the perpetrators were youth who are often manipulated into committing violence.

However, a proactive group of youths and peace advocates in Kaduna have now initiated sporting competitions, particularly football, to bring together individuals from various communities and tribes since the last crisis. 

These sporting events are proving effective, as youth are gaining a better understanding of each other’s cultures and religions. A notable example of such a competition was a football match organized by peace activists in collaboration with the Kaduna Peace Commission in 2020, following a crisis in Kasuwar Magani of Kajuru Local Government Area of the state. 

Benjamin Yunana Maigari, one of the organizers, told Peace News Network (PNN), “Sport will go a long way to enhance peace in the country because football, in particular, has no religion, tribe, or sect… Different people come together from different countries to form a team and play a match together.”

He said Immediately after the Kasuwar Magani riot, the football match tagged ‘Football for Unity’ was organized.

Unity football match organized at Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru LGA. Photo by Benjamin Yonana Maigari.

Maigari explained, “We formed teams based on the clubs they supported in the European Premier League… The youth were separated into clubs and played a minor champion league without considering religious differences.”

Maigari said the fact that tension was so high in Kasuwar Magani after the riot, yet Christians and Muslims who were fans of European clubs came out to support their teams despite their religious differences, was surprising.

He continued. “Before you knew it, they played together, forgetting that there was even turmoil where Muslims and Christians couldn’t live together in the community.”

The game brought a sense of unity, and after the competition, all the participants gathered for a ‘Peace for Unity’ rally in the community. They walked through the town in their uniforms, playing music, chanting, and singing. Since the football competition, there has been no incident of unrest in the Kasuwar Magani community.

“This shows that football, which is dear to the hearts of the youth, can enhance peace and unity within communities,” Maigari added.

Similarly, Meshach Atuke, another youth community leader from Adara tribe in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State— a community that has witnessed several conflicts in past years— imbibed the culture of organizing Unity Football Match in the middle of 2024.

The match was between youth of different religious and tribal affiliations, and meant to further foster peace in Kajuru Local Government Area and neighboring Chikun LGA. “The reason for organizing the football match was to engage the youth together to sustain the peaceful atmosphere we are enjoying in the area,” Atuke said.

He explained further that, “Kajuru and Chikun are parts of the LGAs with various tribes and religions and had faced riots years back where lives and properties were destroyed.” Meshach invited community leaders and stakeholders to address the participants at the final match on the need to embrace each other as brothers.

“We tried to show the youth that we are united despite our diversity, even though we know there are bad elements among us causing trouble. But the youth in Kajuru and Chikun are still doing fine,” he said.

The aim was to disabuse the minds of individuals who tried to instigate others against each other in the communities. The youth were made to understand that trouble makers don’t usually differentiate their victims based on religion or tribe, so their belonging to different tribes and religions shouldn’t be a reason for them to look at each other with suspicion.

Atuke emphasized that they educate each other not to allow themselves to be used against each other but rather to unite and shame the perpetrators of crises in their communities.  “As the youth leader in my community, many youth and stakeholders commended me and even suggested we organize such football games quarterly,” he said.

He expressed happiness in bringing the youth together to enlighten them on the need to embrace peace and unity. 

“We also sat and harmonized within ourselves to see how we can further promote peace,” Atuke said.

He advised the government to support football competitions at the state level to foster unity among citizens, especially youth in warring communities.

Kabiru Abdulrahman, popularly known as KB, a skating coordinator in Kaduna, also organizes skating competitions annually to promote peaceful coexistence among youth from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Youth Skaters from different tribes and religions participated in the Peace and Unity Skating competition in Kaduna State in 2024. Photo by Kabiru Abdulrahman.

 “I believe skating and sporting activities give youth peace of mind and can promote peace in every society,” Abdulrahman said.

He introduced his skating skills to youths, including children, adults, and females, aiming to bring unity among them. 

“I also introduced youth from Sabon Tasha and Gonin Gora— Christian-dominated communities— and other youth from Tudun Wada and other Muslim-dominated areas to skating to foster peace and understanding,” he explained.

Asked what inspired him to organize such a sport to build peace, Kabiru said, “For me, sport gives me joy. Whenever I’m skating, I don’t think of anything negative. Therefore, I want our youth to also engage in sporting activities to avoid smoking, committing crimes, and fighting each other.”

He added, “The only language we understand is skating, which brings unity and peace. Among us skaters, there is no tribalism or religious differences… Our tribe at that moment of the game is skating and our mother is skating. We have our language as skaters in this country, and wherever we see each other, we respect ourselves.” 

Youth Skaters from different tribes and religions participated in the Peace and Unity Skating competition in Kaduna State in 2024. Photo by Kabiru Abdulrahman.

Abdulrahman explained that skating brings them together and helps them make contacts across the country. He hopes to extend such competitions nationwide and mentioned that they usually receive support from non-governmental organizations but not from the government.

Abdulrahman appealed to youth in Northern Nigeria and the country at large to channel their energy towards engaging in skating or other sporting activities to promote peace in their society.

Another initiative using sports for peace is the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria, a non-governmental organization based in Northern Nigeria, founded by Pastor Yohannah Buru. The foundation once organized a 31-kilometer cycling competition for youth in Kaduna state to mark International Faith Harmony Week as declared by the United Nations annually.

According to Pastor Buru, sports are among the most outstanding activities that both young and old, male and female, enjoy and participate in. 

“The purpose of organizing the cycling competition was for peace building, better understanding, and peaceful coexistence between the youths from different faiths in the country,” he explained.

Youth Skaters from different tribes and religions participated in the Peace and Unity Skating competition in Kaduna State in 2024. Photo by Kabiru Abdulrahman.

He believed that such activities would create more awareness and promote peace in society, which is a necessity and not an option.

 “The cyclists that participated are not just Christians and Muslims; they’re both males and females of different teams from different states of the federation coming together to cycle for peace,” he said.

These various sporting events, including football, skating, and cycling, have proven to be effective tools for fostering peace and unity among Nigerian youth. There are those who believe that through continuous support and encouragement, sports can significantly contribute to lasting peace and understanding in communities across Nigeria.

But the question still remains, can these initiatives as demonstrated help bridge the gap between youth from different  tribes and religions in Nigeria? 

Keywords: Nigeria, sports, youth, peace, peacebuilding, conflict, conflict resolution, football, skating, soccer, Nigerian

This Week in Peace #67: January 24

By
Tara Abhasakun
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The flag of Myanmar, photo via Wikipedia.

This week, Israel and Gaza’s ceasefire and hostage exchange begins. ASEAN tells Myanmar to prioritize peace over election. Relief convoy reaches conflicted Pakistan district as civilians are displaced. 

Israel and Gaza’s Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange Begins

Israel and Gaza’s ceasefire and hostage exchange began on Sunday, January 19. Hamas released three women hostages from Gaza, and Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners. Tensions remained high, and the ceasefire’s start was delayed by nearly three hours, with Israel saying that Hamas had not delivered the names of the hostages to be released. The Israeli military continued to perform airstrikes on Gaza, killing at least 19 Palestinians and injuring 36 more. 

When Hamas eventually named the hostages to be released, Israel’s military paused its operations in Gaza for the first time since a week-long ceasefire and hostage exchange in November 2023, BBC reported.

The hostages released are: Romi Gonen, 24; Doron Steinbrecher, 31; and Emily Damari, 28. All three are Israeli citizens, and Damari is also a British citizen. Among the 90 Palestinian prisoners released, 69 are women, and nine are minors, the youngest of whom is 15, CNN reported.

Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told BBC that the deal is the “last chance for Gaza, and the last chance for the region.”

Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages, as well as the remains of deceased hostages. Meanwhile, Israel is expected to release 1,737 prisoners, including 120 women and children. The ceasefire remains fragile, with Israel’s military already reporting on January 23 that it fired at masked, armed suspects in southern Gaza who posed a threat to their safety.

To read more on the background of the hostage and ceasefire deal, click here.

ASEAN Tells Myanmar to Prioritize Peace over Election

The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have called on Myanmar to prioritize peace over election plans for this year. Malaysian foreign minister Mohamad Hasan told a press conference on January 19 that ASEAN called for all warring sides to stop fighting, and told the junta’s representative to allow unhindered humanitarian access, Reuters reported.

Hasan was quoted in Al Jazeera saying, “We said the election has to be inclusive. The election cannot be in isolation, it has to involve all stakeholders,” adding that “Our priority is to end the violence.”

Hasan also said that Malaysia wanted to know “what Myanmar has in mind,” and called on Myanmar to adhere to the Five Point Consensus— a peace plan made months after the coup seized power in 2021— and start dialogue. 

Malaysia named ex-diplomat Othman Hashim as the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN’s special envoy on Myanmar’s crisis, and Hasan said that Hashim would soon visit Myanmar to convince all sides to implement the Five Point Consensus.

Relief Convoy Reaches Conflicted Pakistan District as Civilians are Displaced 

A relief convoy of 61 vehicles reached Pakistan’s conflicted Kurram district on January 22. The convoy, which carried flour, sugar, fruits, medicine, and vegetables, arrived in Kurram’s Alizai area under tight security.

The most recent wave of violence in Kurram began on November 21, when gunmen attacked a vehicle convoy and killed 52 people, mostly shias. Last week, despite a peace deal reached on January 1 between Sunni and Shia tribes in Kurram, militants attacked an aid convoy in the district on January 16. Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ali said that one soldier had been killed, and four others wounded in the attack, with three convoy vehicles damaged. After the attack on the aid convoy, there was a military-led operation to clear areas of the district of militants. The operation concluded on January 22 after four days. 

Civilians have been displaced by the violence. Abbas Majeed Marwat, the Kohat Regional Police Officer (RPO), told Arab News that as of January 18, over 20 families had relocated from the Bagan area, and more were leaving due to the situation. Marwat said that he and the minister of Kohat had visited proposed sites for Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDP) camps in Hangu “to inspect the administrative and security arrangements.”

Keywords: conflict, peace, peace and conflict, reconciliation, peacebuilding, Israel, Gaza, Palestine, ceasefire, Myanmar, Pakistan

Bridging Divides: How Nigerians Celebrated Yuletide Season Together

By
Mohammed Ibrahim
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Shehu's children pose for a family photograph on Christmas day. Photo by Shehu Abubakar's family.

Despite years of religious and ethnic conflicts that have claimed hundreds of lives in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, some residents of Jos, the state capital, continue to defy division by celebrating Christmas and New Year together.

In a region where trust has been severely eroded by violence, Muslims and Christians alike are finding the courage to embrace unity and peaceful coexistence through shared festivities. This spirit of togetherness is particularly evident in interfaith families, where love transcends religious boundaries. 

These families set aside their differences to dine and celebrate in the spirit of the season, demonstrating that harmony is possible even in the most challenging environments.

A Tradition of Togetherness in Fobur Community

In Fobur, a rural community, predominantly inhabited by the Afizere ethnic group, Christmas is more than a Christian celebration; it is a shared family tradition that includes Muslim relatives. The essence of Christmas— widely regarded as a season of love, gift-giving, and togetherness— extends beyond religious lines, bringing both Christians and Muslims together in unity in the community. 

The peaceful Fobur Community in Plateau State. Photo by Shehu Abubakar’s family.

Unlike other communities in Plateau State that have witnessed severe ethno-religious crises over the years, Fobur stands out as a place where interfaith harmony is deeply rooted. During the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations, family members came together to share meals and create cherished memories, regardless of their religious affiliations. For these families, faith differences do not weaken their ties; instead, they see themselves as one united entity.

Esther Shehu, a Christian housewife married to a Muslim husband, shared her experience during the festive period.

“My husband has been good to me since we got married. He has always been supportive during Christmas, ensuring that we have everything we need to celebrate joyfully,” she said.

She added that in the same spirit of mutual respect, she reciprocates his kindness during Muslim festivities, ensuring that he also feels valued and celebrated. Her husband, Shehu Abubakar, reaffirmed his commitment to their interfaith marriage. According to him, he has always been part of her life and her family. 

“I never allow religion to be a barrier between us. That is why, during Christmas, I make sure to provide for my family so that they can enjoy the season,” he explained.

Shehu’s children and other family members celebrating Christmas at their Fobur home. Photo by Shehu Abubakar’s family.

He added that his wife prepared special meals for him during the celebrations, making the occasion even more enjoyable.

A Model of Religious Tolerance in Igyem Community

Igyem, another rural community, is another example of peaceful coexistence, where residents continue to foster a harmonious atmosphere despite the religious tensions in other parts of the state.

Merry Igyem, a Christian housewife, emphasized the strong interfaith relationships within her family.

“My family is made up of both Muslims and Christians, and we all live together in happiness. On Christmas Eve, we prepared food and shared it with our Muslim relatives…Despite practicing different religions, we still believe we are one family,” she told Peace News Network (PNN).

Halima Agwon, another housewife in the community, expressed similar sentiments, saying they make sure that they have fun together during festive periods whether it is Christmas or Muslim celebrations. “We cook and share meals with our fellow sisters and brothers, regardless of their faith,” she added, smiling.

Muhammad Igyem, an elderly Muslim and the head of the Igyem family, explained how his Christian relatives honor him during Christmas.

“Even though I am a Muslim, my Christian family members bring food to me on Christmas Day, and I eat with joy…My children, some are Muslims, and others are Christians. Yet, we have never allowed religion to divide us,” he said.

He added that during Muslim festivities, his family reciprocates the gesture by sharing food and meat with their Christian relatives, a tradition they have maintained for decades.

Similarly, Fatima Abubakar, another elderly Muslim woman in the community, emphasized that there is no segregation between Christians and Muslims in their family.

Couple standing in their compound as they prepared to visit relatives as part of the season tradition in Igyem community of Plateau, photo by Musa Adamu.

Interfaith Families: A Model for Other Communities

Halima Agwon confirmed that their family meetings, usually held every six months, provide a platform to discuss issues of mutual interest and strengthen family ties.

“In fact, most times when the Muslims among us have programs in the mosque, we join them. Likewise, they attend Christian events. It is a way of showing support and love,” she explained.

She further explained these meetings have been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding and love, strengthening their bond over the years.

These interfaith families believe that their values of love, tolerance, and togetherness will be passed down to future generations. Their unity serves as a model for other communities in Plateau State and neighboring regions still grappling with ethnic and religious intolerance.

Interfaith Families Beyond Plateau State

Umar Muhammad Ogwu, a Muslim originally from Kogi State but now residing in Nasarawa State, shared his experience of growing up in an interfaith family.

“My younger sister is a Christian, and we always celebrate Christmas together as one family…I have cousins and brothers who are either Muslims or Christians, and we all come together to celebrate festive periods,” he said.

He further explained that during both Muslim and Christian holidays, they exchange gifts and visit each other. He explained that he even travels to his family’s village or the countryside every year to join his Christian relatives for Christmas. 

“We consider ourselves one big family, free from religious discrimination,” he added.

Plateau State Efforts Towards Peacebuilding

Kenneth Johnson Dakop, Team Lead for the Strategic and Communication Unit of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, acknowledged the efforts made by communities in the state to foster religious tolerance.

“Over the years, communities in Plateau State have built resilience and now appreciate that religion should not be a source of tension or conflict,” he stated.

Shehu, a Muslim, and his wife Esther, a Christian, sitting on a couch with other family members at their home located in Fobur Community. Photo by Shehu Abubakar’s family.

Dakop noted that while religion is sometimes manipulated to instigate violence, the agency has identified the importance of working closely with religious leaders to promote understanding and peaceful coexistence.

“Yes, we may not be there yet, but significant progress has been made,” he added “We will continue engaging, particularly in providing orientation for young people, to help them understand and appreciate our differences,” he told PNN.

Dakop highlighted that communities once considered “no-go areas” due to religious divides, such as Jos North, Bauchi Road, Tudun Wada, and Kabong, are now witnessing increased interfaith interactions. He mentioned that these communities now organize competitions and celebrate festivities together, demonstrating progress in peacebuilding efforts.

Furthermore, the Plateau State government established the Plateau State Inter-Religious Council, consisting of over 56 members from different religious denominations. The council works to foster mutual understanding and appreciation of shared humanity, rather than focusing on religious or political differences.

Samson Auta, Co-National Coordinator of the Interfaith Mediation Center in Kaduna, told PNN that when people of different faiths understand and celebrate with one another during festivities, it helps strengthen the bond between them.

He explained that people often experience fear and uncertainty regarding trust. However, when they visit one another and celebrate together, it fosters mutual trust and strengthens their relationships.

He emphasized the importance of such interactions in Northern Nigeria, stating that the region has developed a culture of fear, miscommunication, and stereotypes.

“So I believe with such family bonds, it will go a long way to address so many misconceptions around us,” he said.

Samson further added that associating with people of different faiths creates an avenue for understanding, helping communities reconnect with the way things used to be in the past. 

The experiences of these interfaith families serve as a testament to the possibility of unity amidst diversity. Their bonds offer a model for other communities in Plateau State and neighboring regions still grappling with ethnic and religious intolerance.

Shehu’s children pose for a family photograph on Christmas day. Photo by Shehu Abubakar’s family.

Keywords: Christmas, Christians, Muslims, Yuletide, holidays, holiday season, interfaith, interfaith families, peace, conflict, Nigerian, Nigeria, New Year, Nigerians

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