Muslim and Christian leaders say NI peace process model saving lives in Nigeria

Rev Joseph Hayab and Sheik Abdulahi Maraya, Christian and Muslim faith leaders known as the ‘Kaduna Twins’, negotiated a ceasefire in their home state of Kaduna, where Boko Haram had been trying to extend their influence.

They later contacted Co-operation Ireland through the Global Peace Foundation for help in developing a peace process.

The pair were among the international delegates at a programme run by Co-operation Ireland and the Global Peace Foundation which ended yesterday at the Skainos Centre in east Belfast.

Sheik Maraya told the News Letter that the lessons he learned from NI have been very effective since the pair first visited three years ago.

“I went back and put into practise what I learned from Cooperation Ireland and it really yielded results,” he said.

“If one wants to mitigate conflict you have to give respect and recognition to the identity of others.”

He shared the teaching widely in a community of 52,000 people and afterwards realised that violence in some parts of the country was no longer spilling over into this community and costing lives. “That showcases what we have really achieved,” he added.

Rev Hayab told the News Letter that the “crisis” in his home community is “an identity-based crisis where there are problems between Christians and Muslims”.

He added: “The example of Ireland and especially Belfast becomes an interesting example for us to learn from so that we will know how to address our issues.”

At home there is widespread division based on identity, he said.

“So when they see us working together and talking about peace together, it helps young ones to appreciate the ways we have learned from Cooperation Ireland.

“We can view things differently but we should do it with a mind to accept one another and appreciate the other person’s point of view.”

Co-operation Ireland project manager Dr Alan Largey said the model they developed and promote works through four key stages in developing peace: 1) peace keeping; 2) peace making; 3) peace building; and 4) peace sharing.

The model has been successfully used between African American and Latino communities in New Jersey and with Islamic separatists in the Philippines, he added.