E'KABO

Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye from Nigeria outside the United Nations in New York, at the launching of their film The Imam and the Pastor.

A new documentary chronicles the trials and tribulations of a Christian and a Muslim and how bitter enemies become advocates of peaceful co-existence.

The Imam and the Pastor, a new documentary on Muslim/Christian relationships in Nigeria had its world premiere at the United Nations in New York last month before moving to London, where it was specially screened in the House of Commons to wide acclaim and enthusiastic response.

The theme of the award-winning documentary is redemption and peace building and it is backed by the likes of Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general, Rt. Reverend Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and John Battle, UK member of Parliament and Prime Minster Tony Blair's envoy to faith communities, and is narrated by award-winning former BBC correspondent Rageh Omaar. It captures ethnic and religious clashes in the northern Nigeria that have seen thousands of people killed and whole communities ruined. The documentary also examines the trials and tribulations of two sworn enemies - Muslim Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pentecostal Christian Pastor James Wuye - and their ultimate peace-making initiatives.

When you have experienced the carnage of so-called religious conflicts and the desolation faced by communities as these two people have, you learn a thing or two about perspective. Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye are leaders of armed militia groups involved in running bloody battles, who are committed to defending their respective communities in Yelwa-Shendan in Kaduna State with every means including mindless violence, in the name of God and Allah respectively.

The Imam and the Pastor not only shows them at odds with each other but also showcases their fondness for each other and their day-to-day battle with life's ups and down and what might look impossible - but isn't. It is worth mentioning that during one of the pitched encounters Pastor Wuye loses a hand and Imam Ashafa loses his spiritual mentor and two very close cousins. Wuye says after he lost his hand his contempt for Ashafa only accelerated and he wanted him dead by any means necessary. Well, commonsense prevails and after a life of reprisal killings and burning of whole communities, both men later somewhat see the light, putting paid to their wicked ways and allowing peace to reign between them.

Nowadays, as joint founders and directors of the Inter-Faith Mediation Centre in Kaduna, Muhammad Ashafa and James Wuye, have embarked on a journey of peace building and better inter-faith relations in their country and elsewhere. And why shouldn't they?

Archbishop Williams who meets with the two men says: "Imam Ashafa and Pastor James and the film that captures their honest and inspiring story, offer a message of hope for those with hate in their hearts, and for everyone who believes in the loving potential of all human beings," adding: "they are a model for Muslim-Christian and inter-faith relations in Britain and abroad."

Between the two guys there is bonhomie and plenty of eye contact. It is as if after all they have been through, each man doesn't want to let the other go.

Pastor James Wuye (right) and Imam Muhammed Ashafa

I put it to Pastor James that there are those - and there is an extensive list - who do not believe that after vowing to kill each other and confronting each other murderously for a long time, all is now forgiven and that they have kissed and made-up. Is this a match made in heaven or a match made in Hollywood? Pastor James replies, almost shouting: "This is your journalist instinct running wild," but he admits there are ghosts to be exorcise. "I know some people would find the documentary too good to be true. But I truly believe that this is a marriage. From time-to-time we'll disagree on things, however, I love this guy and we'll never get a divorce," stressing: "Imam and I are in this together, to promote co-operation for the long term in Nigeria and wherever we are called upon." "I am no quitter. What our story proves is that communication is best," he adds.

Ashafa told E K'ABO about how they faced opposition from their respective religious groups when they first came together to promote their inter-faith initiatives and local reconciliation in their communities. There was strong rejection. Some incensed people branded them compromising traitors. "Sceptics mocked us and our idea. But today we have majority support in my country and we are being called upon by other countries, organisations and small communities to sort out conflicts before they get out of hand and sometimes to quench already smouldering conflicts threatening to engulf communities.

"We want to convey this message of peace and reconciliation to a wider audience that is why we made this film, produced independently by For the Love of Tomorrow Films (FLTfilms)."

MP Battle describes Imam Ashafa and Pastor James as "very special." He says: "They are a very special personal example of how to turn enemies into friends. They have really demonstrated to people how they can change the situation where they are and really make a difference," adding: "I think their example has resonance across many towns and cities."

The hope is that the work of the two former antagonists will inspire bold initiatives across communities and stop political and communal strife for limited resources masking as religious wars. The Imam and the Pastor is a harrowing and inspiring story of gratuitous violence, but also of forgiveness and friendship. It brings a message of hope for the world on the volatile issue of Christian-Muslim relationships. Who says good things don't come out of the most populous black country in the world - Nigeria? Such people should think again!

The documentary is coming to a cinema near you from mid-January, but would have its first showing in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria before moving to other African cities.