AN INVESTIGATION ON CHRISTIAN STRATEGIES FOR PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE WITH MUSLIMS IN EASTLEIGH, NAIROBI

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the strategies utilized by Christians in Eastleigh with an aim of enhancing peaceful co-existence with the Muslims in Eastleigh, Nairobi. This study also sought to identify the challenges that Christians living in Eastleigh experience in their attempts to build bridges with the Muslims community there. After establishing those challenges the study further gave suggestions on what more could be done to foster Christian Muslim relationship. As the considerations for Christian Muslim relationship are done this study also gives suggestions on the missiological approaches that Christians in Eastleigh and those in other places can adopt for successful Christian Muslim relationship. For what was proposed in this study to be made possible, the researcher adopted and made use of qualitative research method. The information needed for this study was collected using both open ended interview questions and participatory observations. The data collected was then analyzed and interpreted so that the researcher could come as close as possible to the realities concerning ChristiansMuslim relationship in Eastleigh. The findings of this study showed that Christians in Eastleigh whether pastors, missionaries or the general population have in some way attempted to come up with some strategies that have in some way succeeded in enhancing a harmonious relationship with the Muslim community in Eastleigh. One of the prominent strategies that the research found that has been commonly used by all the Christians that were interviewed is providing education for Muslim children. This has in some way brought the parents of these children into close contact with Christian in Eastleigh more than any other strategy. This strategy has also allowed Muslim and Christian’s children to develop meaningful relationships as they go to school together. In the final chapter, suggestions are provided in regard to how ChristianMuslim relationship can be enhanced and finally recommendations for further studies are given.