Religious Education and Its Role in Building Peaceful and Inclusive Communities in Kaduna State

References

[1] Abdu H (2019). Beyond victimhood: Women's interfaith activism in northern Nigeria. University of Lagos Press.

[2] Adesoji A (2011). The Boko Haram uprising and Islamic revivalism in Nigeria. Africa Spectrum, 45(2), 95–108.

[3] Al-Miskin Y (2010). The Medina Charter: A model for pluralism in contemporary Muslim societies. Islamic Publications Trust.

[4] Allport GW (1954). The nature of prejudice. Addison-Wesley.

[5] Ashafa MN, Wuye JM (2009). The pastor and the imam: Reflections on Muslim-Christian dialogue in Nigeria. IMRC Publishing.

[6] Babagario E (2019). Interfaith education and the quest for peacebuilding in northern Nigeria [Doctoral dissertation, University of Massachusetts Amherst].

[7] Bala S (2014). Parental attitudes towards interfaith education in Kaduna State [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Ahmadu Bello University.

[8] Braun V, Clarke V (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

[9] Danjuma S (2013). Ethno-religious conflicts and the dilemma of citizenship in Nigeria: The case of Kaduna State. Journal of Nigerian Studies, 4(1), 45–62.

[10] Durojaiye O (2016). Implementation challenges of the Religion and National Values curriculum in Nigerian secondary schools. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(21), 88–95.

[11] Eze C (2018). Pedagogy of the other: Teacher training for interreligious education in conflict zones. International Journal of Educational Development, 61, 1–8.

[12] Higazi A (2011). The origins and transformation of the Jos conflict in Nigeria. Africa, 81(2), 252–279.

[13] Ibrahim J (2000). The transformation of ethno-regional identities in Nigeria. In: A. Jega (Ed.), Identity transformation and identity politics under structural adjustment in Nigeria. Centre for Research and Documentation. p. 41–60.

[14] Kukah MH (1993). Religion, politics, and power in northern Nigeria. Spectrum Books.

[15] Mustapha AR (2014). Sects & social disorder: Muslim identities & conflict in northern Nigeria. James Currey.

[16] Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) (2013). The 9-year basic education curriculum: Religion and national values. NERDC Press.

[17] Ojo MA (2007). Pentecostal movements, Islam and the contest for public space in northern Nigeria. College Press.

[18] Oluwatosin YI, Olayiwola SM, Adeshola AW, Olasunkanmi KA, Ayantunde YL (2025). Religious education, peacebuilding, and democratic citizenship in Nigeria: A curriculum and pedagogical analysis. IQRO: Journal of Islamic Education.

[19] Ostien P (2009). A survey of the religious composition of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. University of Jos Press.

[20] Ozokoye CG, Farjani M (2025). Developing multicultural religious competence in teachers through reflective seminars in Nigeria. Al-Insyiroh: Jurnal Studi Keislaman, 11(2).

[21] Pam J (2011). The contact hypothesis in practice: Interfaith youth clubs in Kaduna. Society for Peace Studies and Practice.

[22] Pettigrew TF, Tropp LR (2006). A meta-analytic test of intergroup contact theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(5), 751–783.

[23] Shann MH (2012). Interfaith education: A path to peace in Nigeria. University of Ibadan Press.

[24] Thurston A (2016). 'The disease is unbelief': Boko Haram's religious and political worldview. The Brookings Institution.

[25] Umar MS (2001). Education and Islamic trends in northern Nigeria: 1970s–1990s. Africa Today, 48(2), 127–150.

[26] Usman A (2015). Islamic principles of coexistence: A curriculum for peace in Kaduna State. Iqra Publishing House.

@article{1723921,
      author = {Dr. Esther Vinzai Umaru-Abdullahi, Gani, Bitrus},
      title = {Religious Education and Its Role in Building Peaceful and Inclusive Communities in Kaduna State},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {1752-1768},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1723921.pdf},
      abstract = {This study investigated the role of Religious Education (RE) in building peaceful and inclusive communities in Kaduna State, Nigeria, a region historically affected by interfaith tensions and recurring religious conflicts. The study pursued three objectives: to examine the current RE curricula and teaching methods used in selected schools; to evaluate the extent to which RE promotes interfaith understanding, reduces prejudice, and strengthens social cohesion; and to identify challenges and practical strategies for enhancing the peacebuilding potential of RE. Guided by the Contact Hypothesis and Critical Pedagogy frameworks, the research employed a mixed-methods case study design involving six schools selected from the three senatorial zones of Kaduna State. Data were collected through curriculum analysis, classroom observations, interviews, and focus group discussions involving teachers, students, parents, and community leaders. Findings revealed a significant gap between the peace-oriented ideals embedded in the national Religion and National Values curriculum and the predominantly doctrinal and teacher-centered approaches adopted in classrooms. While some instructional materials contained elements capable of fostering inclusion and mutual respect, others reinforced religious exclusivity and stereotypes. The study also found that schools implementing structured interfaith interactions recorded higher levels of trust, empathy, and positive attitudes among students toward peers from different religious backgrounds. Furthermore, inadequate teacher preparation, limited pedagogical resources, and weak stakeholder collaboration emerged as major barriers to effective peace-oriented RE. The study concludes that reforming Religious Education through inclusive curricula, participatory teaching approaches, and strengthened interfaith engagement is essential for promoting sustainable peace, social cohesion, and inclusive development in Kaduna State.},
      keywords = {peacebuilding; interfaith; dialogue; social cohesion; curriculum reform},
      month = {October},
  }