E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.2 page 7 “[t]he adherents of the two big religions give the impression that Nigeria and Nigerians are all about Islam and Christianity. They go on the defensive as if the existence of other religions is the failure of Islam and Christianity. The truth of the matter is that Nigeria is not only about Islam and about Christianity”.3 22. Similarly, there does not seem to be any place for those who have yet different types of belief or who do not believe in anything. 23. There has not been a census in Nigeria since 1991, but there have been suggestions that one should be organized since 2002. The issue of the census is very controversial, in particular concerning whether a question on religion should be included. The Christians, who usually believe that they account for more than 40 per cent of the population, consider that religion should be part of the census so that their numbers could be determined, but the Muslims, in particular the Ahmadiyyas, oppose this idea.4 The Special Rapporteur has not received further information from the Government in this regard. 24. An important aspect of religious life in Nigeria is that many families include members from both the Muslim and Christian communities, including because of interfaith marriages. This explains the very moderate approach of some Christians and Muslims in the face of more radical discourse by some religious leaders. 25. Because of this reality, it is significant to note that a portion of the civil society has initiated a real dialogue between the two communities. A number of NGOs, while being identified, because of their members, with one or the other community, have contributed to promoting a culture of tolerance and trust between Muslims and Christians. Also, the Special Rapporteur heard testimonies of acts of humanity that took place during the riots in Jos and Kaduna, where people helped to save others regardless of their religious affiliations. However, this has not prevented the serious conflicts that have opposed Christians and Muslims during the last few years, during which several thousand people have been killed. III. LEGAL FRAMEWORK 26. The 1999 Constitution develops in unequivocal terms the principles of freedom of religion or belief. Article 38 of the Constitution provides: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. “No person attending any place of education shall be required to receive religious instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or observance if such instruction ceremony or observance relates to a religion other than his own, or religion not approved by his parent or guardian.