ABSTRACT

The study examined the struggle between Christians and Muslims over the use of space in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, Nigeria and its impact on the general populace. The two major aspects of struggle over space by Christians and Muslims in Jos city as discussed in this paper were through the use of loudspeakers in places of worship and the blockage of roads during religious worship. The researchers employed the use of qualitative research approach in which oral interviews and observation methods of data collection were used. Atotal number of 18 Christians and Muslims within the study area were interviewed on the impact of road blocking and the blaring of loudspeakers on the populace. The study found out that both the blocking of roads/streets and the use of loudspeakers at high volume by Christians and Muslims has impact on the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of the people. The impacts of blocking of public roads include obstruction of traffic flow and infringement on people's right to movement. It causes unnecessary traffic, which will force people to use only one lane that is not blocked thereby resulting to serious traffic and at times causing accident. Again, road blocking can also result to significant economic damage for business men and women who need to meet up with the time of supply of goods and services. Likewise, the study also found out that the use of loudspeakers, especially at high volume, has serious effect on the general populace. Possible impacts of the misuse of loudspeakers by Christians and Muslims on the inhabitants of Jos Plateau include: sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, loss of concentration, high blood pressure, annoyance/inconvenience, and potentiality of fueling religious crisis. The study recommends that there should be proper education on the religious use of loudspeaker at moderate level or volume in such a way that it would not affect people's peace and comfort and that sound limiters should be attached to public address system (loudspeakers) in the Churches and Mosque to reduce intensity. On the blocking of roads, the study recommends that appropriate government agency should enact a law against blocking of roads/streets by religious adherents during their public worship.