Out of the many challenges facing Africa today, there is the tendency of some to manipulate religious and ethnic identities for private interests. The book examines how religion has given rise to these conditions in Africa, by weaving together issues of poverty, wealth, and violent conflicts.Religion and Racial Differences in the South Religion and Political Differences in the North Religion and Violent Conflicts in the West Religion and Simmering Violence in the East Polarization of Religious-political Groups in the Horn of Africa Violence and Islam's Challenge in Somalia Initiation into PeaceYACOB TESFAI is currently affiliated with the Moi African Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya.