by Chinnie Goldenpen
SALELAKA MOKONZI OKOYOKA ESENGO*
_“Serve the Lord and you will experience joy.”_
This is a Bantu expression from the Lingala-speaking people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As a Nigerian and proud African, I love exploring languages across our borders. It connects me to the roots of our forefathers and the evergreen soil I was raised upon.
In Christianity, we believe we experience God’s goodness when we serve Him wholeheartedly. Other religions across Africa hold similar convictions. Our faith is deeply rooted in God’s guidance and protection. As Africans, we often have no choice but to seek refuge in God, especially when the governments of over 80% of African nations neglect the health, financial, and economic welfare of their citizens.
Yet as profound as it is to serve God, we must guard against religious extremism. We’ve seen the catastrophe extremists have brought to security and stability across many African nations.
Enlightened Africans, both at home and in the diaspora, must educate those who have become extremists, those fighting unnecessary battles physically and on social media, stoking tensions and calls for religious war.
This is not necessary. We are called to religious tolerance. We must set aside sentiment when dealing with core issues like politics and economic welfare. That is how we become the first-world nations we admire, the very ones we pray for visas to visit at our religious gatherings.
Every African nation can actualize that dream if we tackle extremism, accommodate one another, and practice true tolerance.
Happy Sunday from this end of the world.
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