ISLAMIC EXTREMISM: CAUSES, CHARACTERISTICS, DIVERSITIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Religious extremism is a global issue that raises questions and tensions in many countries. In Nigeria, it is a known fact that religion has been abused in many ways to suit the interests of some groups of people who consider themselves custodians and defenders of religious values and faith. Apparently, the trend of violence in Nigeria is a sign of the need for thorough research and study about religions in theological institutions in the area of comparative religion studies (Islam). Extremists use religion as a shield either for political or economic agenda and manipulate their gullible followers in order to impose their ideology on them. The reality of religious extremism in Nigeria is a challenge to theological education to search for a lasting solution that will enable Nigerians to overcome the problem and focus on their economic, social and genuine religious progress. Our institutions need to produce people with critical minds that will challenge religious extremism. This study, therefore, recommends that a good knowledge of Islam should not be limited to those who work in Islamic countries. It is high time a serious study of Islam was included in the Seminary curriculum. It is disingenuous enough to think that Islam is an issue for Islamic countries alone. A decade or so ago, no one knew that militant Islamic extremism would be an issue in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.  Hence, theological education has a very crucial role in curbing the problem of religious extremism in our nations.