Initiatives of Change

This new film depicts the unlikely partnership between a Christian evangelist and a Muslim preacher from Nigeria and explores the work of forgiveness and reconciliation which they have facilitated.

Imam Ashafa and Pastor Wuye will be present at the World Premiere at the UN on November 28th, and after that in Washington for screenings at the United States Institute of Peace, World Bank, Georgetown University and American University. See below for details.

Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa were initially drawn to the fundamentalist wings of their faiths. Wuye studied at a theological seminary and became a full-time clergyman. Ashafa went to a traditional Islamic school and the International University of Africa in Khartoum, Sudan. Both men were advocates that Christianity, on the one hand, and Islam on the other, contain the unique and definitive teachings for the salvation of the soul and the proper ordering of human society.

In the 1980s, tension between Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria erupted into violent conflict and bloodshed. Wuye and Ashafa both saw this as a clash between different values and belief-systems, and each became leaders in opposing militia groups.

In 1992, hundreds of people were killed and mosques and churches were burnt to the ground in the town of Zangon Kataf. Both men endured devastating losses during the fighting - Ashafa’s spiritual mentor, Sheikh Mukadam Tijani, and three of his uncles were killed while Wuye lost his right hand.

In 1995, Wuye and Ashafa met for the first time, at an NGO gathering convened at Government House, in the state of Kaduna. They recall that the atmosphere was one of profound mistrust. However, the two men were startled to discover that they had many things in common and they resolved to meet again.

Partly as a result of their growing friendship, and partly because of their remorse at the human misery caused by inter-religious violence, Imam Ashafa and Pastor Wuye began to experience a change of attitude. They went on to co-found the Muslim-Christian Dialogue Forum and the Inter-Faith Mediation Centre, in Kaduna. In the film, they describe their individual journeys from the path of violence towards the sources of forgiveness and peace in their respective traditions.

The film culminates with a powerful example of Christian-Muslim grass-roots peace-building, mediated by them, in the town of Yelwa Shendam in Plateau State. Yelwa Shendam was the scene of violent clashes in May 2004; hundreds of people were killed and many thousands displaced. Yet, less than one year later, a public peace ceremony was held there, attended by the state Governor and by Christian, Muslim and traditional leaders, NGOs, representatives of neighbouring states and more than 5000 local people. Wuye and Ashafa describe how they were able to facilitate this unique event.

The inspiration for the film came when Wuye and Ashafa spoke of their journey from hatred to peacebuilding in a meeting at the Initiatives of Change Conference Centre in Caux, Switzerland, two years ago. It is a powerful exploration of Christian-Muslim trust-building and partnership, with implications for the relationship between Christians and Muslims in Africa and beyond. The film also serves as a ground-breaking case-study of African grass-roots action to establish the conditions for social stability and community development.

Narrated by prominent BBC TV journalist Rageh Omaar, the film pulsates with the colour and music of Nigeria, and offers a distinct message of hope.

Producer/Director: Alan Channer; Assistant Producer: Imad Karam

Public Screenings in Washington, DC, of "The Imam and the Pastor"

Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Venue: McShain Lounge, McCarthy Hall, Georgetown University (Closest parking is in SW Quad off Canal Road. Take elevator to Mezzanine for McCarthy)
RSVP: Kathy Aquilina (Email)

Date: Monday, December 4, 2006, 12:00-2:00pm
Venue: World Bank J building, (701 18th St.,) Room J1-050 (auditorium to the left of the lobby)
RSVP: infoshopevents@ worldbank.org