Philosophical Doctrines and Ideology of Boko Haram Sect and Its Impacts on Christian-Muslim Relations

Terrorism is a phenomenon that is becoming a pervasive, often dominant, influence in our lives. It constitutes one of the most serious threats to global security. Nigeria had a full blown taste of long time terrorism since 2009 founded by Mohammed Yusuf. The group Jama’atu ahlis sunna lidda’awati wal-jihad has continued to carry out acts of terror which has resulted to loss of over twenty thousand lives, kidnap of several school girls and women as sex slaves, the displacement of more than two million people and the destruction of properties worth billions. It is clear that the activities of Boko Haram represent the greatest threat to Nigerian state. The above situation has triggered a suspicion among Christian and Muslims in Nigeria. The situation had also divided Nigerians along religious lines. For example, Ibrahim observed that apart from academic views concerning the teaching of the group, there is also a huge debate and conflicting conspiracy theories going on among Nigerians concerning Boko Haram and its activities. Many southern commentators saw Boko Haram as conspiracy of northern politicians to destabilize the government of the president Godluck Jonathan and vis visa.