Week 12

In class on Monday we watched the movie “The Pastor and the Imam,” a movie about just that, a pastor and an Imam, who are working to create peace in Nigeria between the Christians and Muslims. Throughout the film, the two were showed holding workshops with religious leaders and followers in various towns/villages across Nigeria. Each time they separate the listeners into their respective religious groups, discuss likes and dislikes of the other, then reconvene and present these findings. This offered the context of dialogue that allowed the different groups to relate, sympathize, and understand one another. The movie was very powerful and moving, but even after watching all of these workshops they held, the part that resonated with me most was the final minute of the move. This last scene was a shot of the Pastor and the Imam, sitting side by side, explaining what allowed them to get along and respect one another even though they were from different religions. Both returned to their respective religious texts, with the Pastor stating “love thy neighbor” and “thou shall not kill,” while the Imam said “Allah tells me to make space for everyone.” Through returning to the original teachings of their own religions, each can find a clear overtone of peace and understanding required by each of their Gods.

In relation to my previous post, the Pastor and the Imam are perfect examples of how dialogue, especially dialogue initiated by religious leaders, is so effective in conflict resolution and religious peacemaking. Although it is a method that takes time and possibly generations to accomplish, I think it is the most sufficient and successful way to sustain peace and understanding between two conflicting groups. It has the ability to not just cover up, but heal the wounds caused by years of fighting and hatred in its ability to transform human sentiment and foster cooperation.