''You might be in a safe country,'' he said.

But not everywhere was so protected.

''People can die by just a word from a leader, or a write up or a cartoon from somebody who is not sensitive to other people's culture.'' The Assemblies of God pastor was accompanied by Imam Muhammad Ashafa. In 1995, they established the Interfaith Mediation Centre in northern Nigeria to build bridges across religious, ethnic, social and political divisions.

Previously, they and their respective faiths were in open conflict. Despite this, they established an immunisation program for children.

Imam Ashafa said that by working together, the two had discovered the true essence of their religious values, which promoted forgiveness, acceptance and compassion.

Nigeria had come of age after a difficult time when religion and racial differences had caused civil war. More than 100,000 lives had been lost in 10 years in two states. This had occurred with the misrepresentation of religious traditions by incapable or mischievous scholars in collaboration with opportunistic political leaders.

Pastor Wuye proffers his left hand when greeting because he lost his right hand in conflict with Muslims. He said conflict between the faiths had occurred because, instead of dialogue, they had used their fists. Hostility between the faiths in Nigeria had not been eradicated, though there was a latent peace.

Imam Ashafa said ignorance was a major cause of conflict. Ignorance of the other had been exploited by political activists who would rather talk about personalities than issues.

Nigeria's 140 million people are divided about equally between Muslim and Christian. Both are proselytising faiths and Nigerian federal law allows anyone aged 18 and above to change religions.

Imam Ashafa said this did not prevent emotional and sentimental upset. So both faiths now played down ceremonies when people converted to the other.

At the academic level, students across religions were being sensitised to the need for an inclusive approach.

Both men will speak at 7.30pm today at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Barton.