Items of Interest February 11, 2013 ISSUE

Safe haven for Christians and Muslims alike

Kingsley Madueke

“Nigeria: Safe haven for Christians and Muslims alike”
© 2012 Radio Netherlands Worldwide
All rights reserved
Reprinted from allafrica.com. October 19, 2012.

Normally speaking, Our Lady of Apostles Hospital would have been seriously affected by the waves of unrest that engulfed the city of Jos in northern Nigeria in the past decade. Its location on the borderline between the Muslim-dominated Masallacin Juma’a neighbourhood and the Christian Apata community is precarious, to say the least. However, the hospital’s impartiality towards patients, regardless of their ethno-religious background, has inspired peaceful coexistence between the two communities. 

The corridors and wards of Our Lady of Apostles Hospital (OLA) in Jos are a temporary home to patients of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. That wouldn’t be a remarkable feat if it wouldn’t be for the fact that over the last ten years the northern Nigerian city has been the epicentre of ethno-religious violence between Muslims and Christians.

Fatima Isa, 19, is a Muslim whose mother has been in the hospital for three weeks. “The hospital workers are very professional,” says Isa. “Even though it is owned by a church, the staff members treat everyone respectfully, not minding whether you’re a Muslim or a Christian.”

When asked to describe the relationship between Muslims and Christians in OLA, staff member Timothy Tolu says: “Even when people are fighting in other parts of Jos and environs, both staff and patients in OLA remain as one, because as far as we’re concerned we’re all human beings. We may have different religions, but we’re all created by the same God.”

Although no victims of the seemingly never ending conflict are currently being treated in OLA, over the years, the hospital has admitted and treated many victims of violent conflicts, both Muslims and Christians. “As they stay together they understand and appreciate each other better. You’ll agree that this leads to some sort of reconciliation,” says Victoria John, a 27-year-old social worker. … 

The serenity and togetherness in the Catholic Church-owned hospital seems to have spread over the area. Muslims and Christians can be seen engaging in conversational pleasantries and doing business. It may be a sign that peace is gradually returning.

The government and various NGOs have been working to reconcile Christians and Muslims in Jos. They could learn an important lesson from OLA: the best way to promote peace is for people to be treated equally without any form of ethnic or religious prejudice. “Many patients have left other hospitals and came to OLA, especially during violent conflicts, because they feel safe here,” says Tolu. “Once you treat people equally and give everyone a sense of belonging, the possibility of a fight is greatly minimised.” 

Fatima Isa’s mother Aisha, who suffers from arthritis, says she is feeling a lot better now. And although she and her daughter are looking forward to go home, they both admit they will miss the staff and other patients in OLA’s women’s ward dearly. “Now I know that religious difference is not a problem,” says Fatima.

Kingsley Madueke
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