The Humanist Association of Nigeria recorded another milestone in June: it successfully organized its first ever event in Northern Nigeria, which is a predominantly Muslim region. Sharia law is enforced in most of the states and clashes between Christians and Muslims are frequent. Boko Haram militants are active in the area.
The event, sponsored by the International Humanist and Ethical Union, was held in Jos, in Plateau State, and participants explored ways of tackling recurrent ethnoreligious conflicts and achieving peace and tolerance in the area. One of the attendees noted: "The truth is that our people are tired of these organized superstitions that are destroying their collective humanity, but they lack the platform to freely express themselves".
This program was a small but significant step towards realizing this aspiration. At the end of the program, the Plateau State Chapter of the Humanist Association of Nigeria was inaugurated. Similar meetings are planned in other parts of Nigeria in the coming months. In July, humanists will be meeting in Owerri to discuss how to combat superstitious beliefs and practices such as ritual murders and ‘witch’ persecution. Another humanist event is planned for Kaduna before the end of the year.
Pictured: Leo Igwe
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