INTRODUCTION
The Abuja Declaration is the name frequently given to the communiqué issued after the Islam in Africa conference held in Abuja, Nigeria between 24 and 28 November 1989. The conference was organised by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (at that time called the Organisation of Islamic Conference[1]) and it agreed to set up the Islam in Africa Organisation (IAO).
The declaration was to the effect that Muslims should unite throughout Africa, the curricula at "various educational establishments" should conform to Muslim ideas, the education of women should be attended to, the teaching of Arabic should be encouraged, and Muslims should support economic relations with Islamic areas worldwide. It noted that Muslims in Africa had been deprived of rights to be governed under sharia law and they should strengthen their struggle to reinstate it.[2] The Islam in Africa Organisation (nl) was formally established in July 1991, also in Abuja and it has stated its objectives.
Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abuja_Declaration_(1989)
2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The question now is how do we prevent this agenda?
In an attempt to find an answer, we shall examine both Spiritual and Physical ways to advance God's agenda.
A. SPRITUALLY
The battle for the soul of Nigeria is not only physical but mainly spiritual. We therefore have to use spiritual means to get spiritual advantage. Anything we experience in the physical has a spiritual under tone.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)
1. Fasting and Prayers
2 Chronicles 20:5-7
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,
And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever.
Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day:I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:and if I perish, I perish
2. The Power of Praise
2 Chronicles 20:22
And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten
I am sure you all do this spiritual exercises in Church and can even quote more scriptures than what I have here.
B. PHYSICALLY
While most of us perform excellently spiritually, the same cannot be said of us physically. Lets try and answer some of these questions individually.
Q.1 How much good to we render to our Christians Brothers/Sisters?
Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith
Proverbs 3:27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Say not unto thy neighbour,
Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give;
when thou hast it by thee
One way the muslims evangelise is by rendering help to one another. This can be in form of cash, employments, school admissions, sponsoring Pilgrimages, provision of food especially during fasting, etc.
How do we help our brothers and sisters who are less privileged? It is easier to prayer for such and preach faith to him or her than giving cash. Some people may not be able to fast because they are not sure where the meal to break such fast is going to come.
During the month of Ramadan, muslims provide food for the less privileged to break their fast. This serves as an encouragement to them to keep to their faith. How many Churches invite members to come and break their fast with provisions? Instead we condemn those that don't fast without finding out their well-being.
Lets remember that Jesus Christ was moved to provide food for those that followed Him to hear His Sermon.
Matthew 14:16
But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat
John 6:4-5
And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat
In some government establishment we find a lot of muslims not because they are more qualified but because they were helped to get there. How many Christians are willing to help his brother/sister get a job even when he/she is qualified?
Q.2 Are We United?
Genesis 11:6
And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do:and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do
One major opposition Christianity faces is from Christians.
We live in an era of "Multiple Visions" where Preachers preach against one another.
What support are we rendering to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)?
Let us remember the "Body of Christ" is one.
Q.3 Politics?
What about Politics? What is the attitude of Christians in Politics?
Politics is a game of numbers. We need more Christians in politics.
I don't mean nominal Christians who cannot defend their faith when need arises. Christians that will say 'if I perish, I perish...'
Esther 4:13-14
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed:and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this.
Christians that will still honour God and have time to attend Church irrespective of the positions they hold.
Christians that will not be too busy to attend Church Services except during election periods.
Q.4 Voting?
Will voting a Christian into power help?
1 Kings 12:13-17
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;
And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke:my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying,
What portion have we in David?
neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse:
to your tents, O Israel:
now see to thine own house, David.
So Israel departed unto their tents
If you read the whole Chapter in 1 Kings 12 you will see how the Kingdom of Israel was divided.
If a Leader ignores the suffering of a people, their votes cannot be guaranteed.
I wish to stop here because I know we don't really like to read much.
Please only constructive comments.
GOD BLESS YOU.
