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Article Title: Traditional Humano-Communal Ethics In Inter-Faith Relations: The Etsako (Edo) Experience
by Rev. (Dr.) T.O. Ebhomienlen and Solomon Ijeweimen Ikhidero

Abstract:
Managing religious plurality has become one of the greatest challenges of the contemporary world. This is because issues concerning religion often evoke strong sentiment and passion. In Nigeria, the heat of religious tension is most often felt in the rancorous relations between her Muslims and Christians. And efforts at establishing genuine co-operation between them are most often marred by the fear of syncretism, conversion and the sabotaging efforts of those who abuse religion for personal interest. The paper examines the contributory factors to the peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Christians in Etsako. The work adopts the historical and descriptive methodology. It reflects on the human-centered ethics and the communalistic lifestyle which have clogged Etsako Muslim and Christians together in a seamless brotherhood; making it impossible for them to take up arm against each other on the basis of religious belief. From this concept the paper re-echoed that African Muslims are not Arabian neither are their Christian Europeans; hence, should always prioritize their common African ancestry over and above religious sentiments. A research of this nature has become relevant as our modern world is being torn apart by tension and friction in Muslim-Christian relations. The paper thus proposes this Etsako (African) humano-centric and communalistic ethics as a strong foundation for Muslim-Christian dialogue in Nigeria.

Keywords: Etsako, Humano-communal, Ethics, Interfaith, Relations

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