Nowhere else in the world have both Islam and Christianity been more instrumental in shaping the history of a people and their way of life than in Africa. African Muslims and Christians have a lot in common, including kinship ties, shared languages and citizenship. Yet, despite the centuries of deep historical links and harmonious existence between the two religions, new challenges threaten this harmony. Conflicts involving Christians and Muslims in places like Sudan, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast are common. These conflicts are fueled primarily by ignorance, stereotyping, and prejudice, which in turn breed fear, suspicion, and even hatred, in some cases leading to violence.
