Getting Ready to Islamise Nigeria? 2

Getting Ready to Islamise Nigeria? 2

How will the Northerners and other Nigerians react to a political outcome like “The 17 Southern Governors Decide Fulani Herdsmen to Carry Biometric Licenses in Their States?” Or “The South-South Governors Decide Non-Indigenes Are Required To Renew Their Work Permits Every 2 Years?” The Constitution (1999) of Nigeria will come alive with fireworks! What a bifurcated country.

I wrote the article about the realities and not fictions of the unconstitutional attempt of Nasir El-Rufai and 19 Northern Governors (see http://wp.me/p1bOKH-BE). No one is above the Constitution of Nigeria. I made some omissions for the article not to be too long. And this has created room for misinterpretation and some complaints which I will address.

First, I mentioned only Christians in my article out of sincere respect for the Quran; I respect the Bible, too. Surah 109 (Kafirun) of the Qur’an, which reads “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Say – Oh you who turn away, I do not worship what you worship, Nor do you worship what I worship. And I will not worship what you worship, Nor will you worship what I worship. Your way is yours, and my way is mine.” 

The Surah is strict in imploring Muslims in religious matters not to mix or join their practices with non-Muslim faiths. However, it appears Mallam El-Rufai is trying to be smart. He does so by using secular political powers, violating the constitution, to regulate/mix all faiths under one umbrella. It is un-Islamic, and many Muslim scholars can verify this.

Second, many accuse me of focusing on “worship” and not “preaching” as if they are separable. Every religion or new place of worship starts with and sustains its membership by preaching. There has been the 313 Mursaleen (those sent as prophets to humankind by Allah (T.A.). From Adam (A.S.) to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), Adam to Jesus of Nazareth (A.S.), and the several Walees / Saints / Apostles. Which one of them had a preaching or ministry license?

El-Rufai is practising “bid’ah” (innovations) by introducing the licensing of preachers, which is haram (forbidden in Islam). Imagine the blatant Nifaq (hypocrisy)! Go check the Quran / Hadiths or ask Islamic scholars about licensing preachers.

Third, it is common knowledge that not all Northern states in Nigeria have predominant Muslim populations, Plateau State in particular. The question is why did the Christian Northern Governors agree to sign El-Rufai’s religious regulation proposals like the Muslim Northern Governors did? Was it because of duress and fear or free will and persuasion? Nevertheless, my initial intention was to avoid such speculation.

Fourth, I spoke of the fears of Christians in reaction to El-Rufai’s attempt to regulate religion in the Northern States. Because it is a real among Christians living in Nigeria and diaspora. Do they see it as the attempted “Islamisation” of Nigeria? I concluded in the last paragraph of the article; “[Of Islamisation] It remains only a threat.” A threat and actuality are not the same things. I have heard “Nigeria Will Divide” from academic, religious, political and ethnic leaders since the 1980s; Nigeria is still together.

Fifth, I find it expedient that noise pollution is now the “sensation” in Nigeria. Moreover, public noise is a creation of the preachers of at least two faiths, including Islam. How about decades of ecocide and genocidal oil pollution witnessed in Nigeria? That is substantive pollution that few of the victims take seriously in the country.

Sixth, I mentioned Arewa Islam as a variant of Sunni Islam. That Arewa Islam is not courteous to “Kudu Islam”, “Shiite Islam”, and “Ahmadiyya Islam” or “Christianity” is well-observed. The evidence and history are both long and rich, especially in Kaduna and Kano.

Why would Northern Muslims assault or burn down the hospitals, businesses or even mosques of people they know to be Southern Muslims? Yet leave those of Northern Muslims standing when their vengeance was against Christians? Show us any Islamic authority that specifies ethnicity is a measure of the acceptability of Muslims? Arewa Islam is real and visible.

On final note, I stand for the freedom of religious practices in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. The regulation or licensing of religion by government is a tragedy European discovered centuries ago and have been wise to avoid ever since.

Are actors getting ready to Islamise Nigeria?

Grimot Nane