1. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
RELIGION, CULTURE, and CONFLICT
Language & religion are two of the most powerful forces shaping the geography of
culture.
Histories can bitterly divide peoples who speak the same language, have the same ethnic
background, and make their living in similar ways.
Religious conflicts usually involve more than differences in spiritual practices and
beliefs. Religion functions as a symbol of a wider set of cultural and political
differences.
2. INTERFAITH BOUNDARIES
Some countries lie entirely within the realms of individual world religions, while other
countries straddle interfaith boundaries, the boundaries between the world’s major
faiths.
3. Explain the north-south religious division of Nigeria. Which Nigerian state will likely
be the key to diffusing the disputes between Muslims & Christians?
5. In Sudan, explain the interfaith
boundary dispute splitting the
country.
Specifically, describe the catalyst of
the religious conflict.
Despite a brokered peace between
northern Muslims and southern
Christians, the conflict re-ignited in
2003 in the Darfur region of the
country
6. Sudan is 70% Muslim and
the remaining 30% are
Christian & Traditional.
The Sudanese govt. is
dominated by Arab
Muslims.
Darfur’s demographic
majority is non-
Arab, African
farmers, concentrated in
the Western, Central &
Southern regions.
Arab Muslims are
concentrated in Northern
Darfur, which has
experienced
desertification.
Muslims have migrated
with their herds
southward, sparking
renewed conflict.
7. Sudanese govt. forces and govt.-backed
militias known as “Janjaweed” are battling
two rebel groups, the Sudanese Liberation
Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality
Movement.
8. Villages have been destroyed, especially by the “Janjaweed” militias, which act with
ruthlessness and impunity. And, as always in war, …
9. … innocent civilians represent the greatest
humanitarian cost of the conflict. Both sides
are guilty of committing atrocities.
10.
11.
12. Currently, refugee camps and
violence have spread into
neighboring Chad, which is ill-
equipped to handle the
humanitarian crisis and the
military crisis with the
Sudanese government.
13. The Sudanese govt.’s alleged goal is to re-settle the
lands of the African population in Darfur with Arab
Muslims through the strategy of ethnic cleansing.
In the meantime, the
international community has
been slow to respond to
this crisis, thus
exasperating the
humanitarian crisis.
What might explain the
slow response of the
international community?
14. At present, the international community appears unable or unwilling to intervene in order
to stop the killing. In the meantime, the killing continues.
15. SOUTH SUDAN
In addition to the turmoil in the Darfur region of Sudan, a referendum took place in
southern Sudan from January 9th, through the 15th, 2011 to determine whether the
region should remain a part of Sudan, or to become independent. The referendum was
part of a peace agreement between the govt. of Sudan and rebel forces in the South.
A simultaneous
referendum
was supposed
to be held in
the Abyei
region to
decide whether
to join
Southern
Sudan, but it
was postponed
due to disputes
over
boundaries &
residency
rights.
16.
17. Southern Sudanese On February
independence 7, 2011, the final
results were
referendum, 2011[97] released.
Southern
Yes or no Votes Percentage Sudanese, living
around the world
participated in
Yes 3,792,518 98.83% the vote.
The results speak
No 44,888 1.17% for itself: a
Valid votes 3,837,406 resounding
victory for
99.62% independence.
Invalid or blank votes
14,588 0.38%
Total votes 3,851,994
100.00%
Voter turnout 97.58%
Turnout required 60.00%
18. The projected date for the official
creation of the new independent state is
July 9, 2011.
Despite the euphoric anticipation, many
challenges lie ahead for this new state.
From the beginning, it will be one of the
world’s poorest states.
The president of Southern Sudan
Salva Kiir Mayardit
