Nigeria is often depicted as being split between Muslims
and Christians. But in Adamawa, where a state of
emergency was declared to counter an Islamist insurgency,
members of both faiths celebrate Christmas together.
Phinear Padio hears the sound of the big iron gate opening.
His neighbor Muhammad Sani drives into the yard they
share. Padio is eager to greet him. The two meet frequently
to discuss everyday life in northern Nigeria. They talk about
their families and politics. But today Padio has a particular
request.
"You really must celebrate Christmas with us. You are most
cordially invited," Padio tells his neighbor. Sani nods. "The
past two years, I wasn't in Yola over Christmas so we
couldn't celebrate together. I'm glad it will work out this
year," he said.
Yola is the capital of Adamawa state in north-eastern
Nigeria. It is one of the three states in which a state of
emergency was declared in May 2013. This is because the
state is at the focus of terrorist activities by the militant
Islamist sect Boko Haram. They attack villages and kill
Christians or students of "western" schools.
Sharing the Christmas cookies
Muhammad Sani and his entire family are Muslim.
Nevertheless, he thinks it is important to join his Christian
neighbors and friends when they celebrate Christmas. "We
enjoy celebrating together," Sani said. "On Christmas Day,
my neighbors always give me food - cookies, chicken and
rice," he added with a chuckle. "During the Muslim
festivals, we also do the same and invite the Christians," he
explained.
The two neighbors are no exception in Nigeria. In many
parts of the country, Christians and Muslims celebrate their
most important religious festivals together. In states such
as Adamawa, everyday life is not dominated by unending
discussions about religion.
Some observers focus on the antagonism between the two
faiths, probably because of the numerous attacks carried
out by Boko Haram. Recent estimates by the United Nations
say that more than 1,200 people have been killed in
violence linked to Boko Haram since May 2013.
Christians and Muslims under one roof
"It's a pity that people in other countries get the impression
that Christians are fighting Muslims. That's not true at all,
"said Muhammad Sani. "Christians and Muslims live
together peacefully. Even in a family, there may be different
religions."
Phinear's wife, Alice, has experienced this peaceful
coexistence first-hand.
She grew up with an aunt who was a Muslim. "For us it was
very normal and not a problem," she said putting up the
Christmas decorations. She has already hung up a string of
lights in addition to a small tapestry from Jerusalem, which
her husband brought back from his last pilgrimage.
Her face beaming with delight, the 29 -year-old woman is
clearly looking forward to Christmas. "They are all coming,
my neighbors and my friends," she said referring to her
Christmas guests. The fact that there will be more Muslims
than Christians present is not something Alice finds
unusual. "Here in Yola my best friends are Muslims. We
talk, we eat together, we do everything together. There is
no difference between us," she said.
Muhammad Sani stresses the significance of tolerance for
peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians.
"Here there is no space for radical ideas," he said. Radical
elements would therefore find it difficult to recruit
followers.
"The majority of residents in Adamawa belong to the Fulani
ethnic group," Sani said. "There are an uncomplicated
people and most of them practice Islam. But Adamawa is
not like other states, there is no Sharia law," he said.
This tolerance is the reason why many Christians,
especially the Ibos from the east, have chosen to live in
Adamawa. "We are very liberal," Sani said.
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