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A Nigerian Christian pastor and a Muslim imam — both fundamentalists in their faiths and once sworn enemies — are now working to restore peace and respect across the religious divide. 


Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa work together at the Interfaith Mediation Center in Nigeria. They've come a long way after a past of training their followers to hate and kill the opposing faith. 

 and joined MPR News' Tom Crann to talk about their friendship. 


"The same energy that we use to promote division we are using it now constructively," Wuye said.


Nigeria is home to 170 million people on the west coast of Africa, with a long-divided population of Muslims and Christians. 

Wuye and Ashafa told the story of their turning points that led to their friendship:

How a Nigerian pastor and imam went from enemies to peace partners by MPR News

They have their disagreements, but ultimately co-exist under a 'do-no-harm' belief:

Religion and Faith

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Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa have come a long way after a past of training their followers to hate and kill the opposing faith.

A Christian pastor and a Muslim imam, both fundamentalists in their faiths, used to be sworn enemies. They trained their followers to hate the other side, and kill when necessary. Now they are working to restore peace and respect across the divide.

Nigerian pastor, imam on tolerance, friendship

Jeffrey Thompson | MPR News

Full discussion: http://bit.ly/18VeoCW
Nigerian Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa, were once fundamentalists in their faiths and sworn enemies.  Now they are working to restore peace and respect across the religious divide. They joined MPR News' Tom Crann March 5, 2015 and discussed the turning point that led to their friendship.

Enemies to peacemakers: Nigerian pastor and imam discuss faith

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