Love and Forgiveness in Governance: Exemplars: The Imam and the Pastor

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By Ernest Ogbozor

Pastor James Movel Wuye and Imam Muhammad Nurayan Ashafa are my model love and forgiveness exemplars.  Popularly known as the Imam and the Pastor, the two religious leaders would have never dreamed of speaking to each other or working together if not for the power of love and forgiveness.

The Imam and the Pastor were previous enemies drawn into religious conflicts that erupted in Zango-Kataf in Kaduna State, Nigeria in 1992. As leaders of groups of Muslims and Christian Militias, both suffered losses that they wished to avenge on each other. In addition to the hundreds of Christians and Muslims that died in the violence, Pastor Wuye lost one of his arms and the Imam lost his spiritual mentor.[1]

However, through prayers and the power of love and forgiveness, the two put aside their differences and began to work together to bridge the divide between their communities, creating the Interfaith Mediation Centre, a religious grassroots organization that has successfully mediated between Christians and Muslims throughout Nigeria. The Imam and the Pastor are now inseparable friends. In 2002 they signed the Kaduna Peace Declaration with many other religious leaders.[2]

They have been awarded the Heroes of Peace Award from the New York City-based Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding.[3] They are now seeking to replicate their efforts through centers in Jos, Owerri and Lagos in Nigeria, and more recently they have conducted interfaith work in southern Sudan and Kenya. In June this year, Imam Ashafa and Pastor Wuye received honorary doctor of law degrees from the University of Massachusetts (UMASS), Boston for their exemplar work in interfaith mediation at the 44th UMASS commencement ceremony.[4] The definition of forgiveness would not be complete without the mention of the Imam and the Pastor as they have lived and practiced love and forgiveness in community governance.

 

[1] The Imam and the Pastor (10 Minute Clip). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oapAA0XUaH4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[2] "The Imam and the Pastor: Cooperating for Peace: Interview with Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye." http://www.sgiquarterly.org/feature2008Apr-4.html

[3] "Peacemaker in Action." https://www.tanenbaum.org/award/peacemaker-action?page=1

[4] University of Massachusetts, Boston, "Honorary Degree & Chancellor's Medal Recipients." http://www.umb.edu/commencement/speakers_honorary_degrees/honorary_degree_chancellors_medal_recipients/