25th August, 2016
PRESS RELEASE:
CHRISTIAN ELDERS CHASING
SHADOWS
The Christian Elders Forum (CEF)
yesterday descended on the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III
for describing Nigeria as a multi-religious nation. They insisted that Nigeria
is a secular country.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) takes
exception to the stand taken by the Christian Elders. CEF is trying to hoodwink
the Nigerian public by making bogus claims. We challenge the Christian Elders
to show us the word ‘secular’ in the constitution.
A secular country is one that does
not recognize God or religion at all. Examples are Russia, China and other
communist entities. But is that true of Nigeria? This is a country that recognizes
the existence of many faiths. Churches, mosques and shrines thrive in their
thousands while the Federal and State governments give official recognition to
the spiritual engagements of the followers of all creeds.
To cap the edifice, the preamble of
the Nigerian Constitution starts with the words, “We the people of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, having firmly and solemnly resolved to live in unity and
harmony as one indivisible and indisolluble sovereign nation under GOD…” This is an indubitable rejection of secularism.
So how secular is ‘secular’Nigeria? It is sheer bunkum. We assert clearly, emphatically
and unequivocally that Nigeria is a multi-religious nation.
MURIC affirms that the Sultan is
right. Nigeria is a multi-religious nation. By describing Nigeria as a secular country, CEF ploy is to
sustain the colonial game of Christianisation of the Nigerian structure. They
are simply defending the actions of the colonial master. Based on the strategic
approach of all belligerent elements and oppressors, that attack is the best
form of defence, it is now in the character of Nigerian Christian leaders to be
constantly on the attack.
The truth is that the British colonialists
had forcefully entrenched Christian way of life on Nigeria. A few examples will
suffice. Whereas Friday was our day of rest since the advent of Islam in
Nigeria in 1085, the colonial master who came 800 years later (in 1842) annulled
Friday (like June 12) and changed it to Sunday. Shariah was prohibited while
Christian common law was imposed on us till today.
Hijab, which was an integral part of
school uniforms for female students, was outlawed. Islamic Studies was
trivialised while Bible knowledge was prioritized. The Christian cross was
forced on us as symbol for the hospitals. The church choir gown became the
officially recognized academic gown used during ceremonies in universities. It
is also used by lawyers and judges in the law courts. We can go on and on ad infinitum.
Christian elders complain that Muslims are
now occupying certain posts but they ignore all other sensitive positions being
occupied by Christians. Were they on sabbatical in the days of former President
Jonathan when General Ihejirika was Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Dele
Ezeobe was Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshall Alex Badeh was Chief of Air
Staff? Were these people Muslims? Where were the Christian elders when all
Jonathan’s ministers from the South West were Christians?
We appeal to the Christian Elders to allow
their nomenclature to reflect in their actions and utterances. They should let
Nigerian youths benefit from the wisdom of elders and not vice versa. We expect
CEF to douse tension and not to heat up the polity. Nigeria has enough on its hands
already and true patriotism demands that all hands be on deck to salvage the
near-helpless situation. Let us squarely face the tangential and ignore the
peripheral. Nigeria should be on our mind, not fishing for men or
rabble-rousing.
MURIC salutes the Sultan of Sokoto
for his self-control, unparalleled tolerance and robust appetite for
moderation. We urge him to ignore all sorts of provocation and continue in his
chosen path of statesmanship and responsible leadership.
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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