Religious Studies- Scholarly Publications

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Religious Responses to the Covid‑19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis of the Spiritual Methods of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria
(Stellenbosch: African Sun Media, 2022) Falako, F. O.; Sirajudeen, Adam A.
This paper surveys various religious coping metrics and healing mechanisms available and utilized in managing COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. Adopting a qualitative approach, the researchers conducted interviews with purposively selected clergy, intellectuals and members of the two prevailing religions. The survey straddles the Muslim-dominated Northern and the Christian-populated Southern parts of Nigeria. The diversities of doctrinal affiliations and ideological orientations notwithstanding, Muslim and Christian communities collaborate significantly with the Federal and respective State Governments in awareness creation, provision of relief packages, and spiritual support to the vulnerable, material as well as financial assistance. The comparative analysis reveals that many faithful resorted to religion and spiritual metrics for solace during the pandemic and its attendant restrictions. Through religious behaviours and attitudes like fasting, prayer, meditation, charity and on-line worship, many found succour, elicited hope and were able to sustain life against the odds of the pandemic. Premised on the functional theory, the paper posits that spiritual metrics aid healing especially a global pandemic such as COVID-19.