Closure Of Embassies in Nigeria

By

Kamor Disu

kamor.disu@mpac-ng.org

 

 

Most major news media endlessly beamed the news of the US closure of its consulate in Nigeria on Friday 17th of June, 2005 to the world following what was widely reported as a move taken after receiving a “specific and credible” terrorist threat by Islamic militants. Many of the foreign missions around the location of the American consulate, being Britain, Germany, Italy, India and Russia, swiftly followed this desperate move in what may well turn out to be another stunt by the US administration, through its damaged and corrupt intelligence community, to open new front in its discredited ‘War On Terror’ here in Nigeria. However, the damage to the Nigerian image has already been done and the emotional reaction of ordinary person to this allegation will linger, so will the political and economic implications. The whole population now waits in fear of a word that will henceforth dominate our lives and conversations: terrorism- the 21st century witch-hunt.

 

This latest act came at a time that Nigerian contingent was in Dakar for US-led counterterrorism exercises involving Senegal, and seven other African nations, and followed closely a recent ‘intelligence report’ released to warn Nigerians of impending junior military officers’ plan to take over the control of government through coup-de-tat. It is easy to conclude that the US intelligence community is ob sessed with creating fears, panic and chaos in target oil-rich countries in order to create enabling environment for easy US military intrusion or American domination in those countries. Now that a new front has been opened here, Nigeria will be forced or manipulated by all means necessary, by promises to bribes and downright bullying, to join the rogue coalition to fight terrorism. Thus forcing Nigeria and in particular, Nigerian Muslims, into the deadly cross-fire of the on-going ‘war on terror’ between America and its depraved co-terrorists. Any nation that dares to oppose to join this rogue coalition or refuse to be steered into American domination will receive the Afghanistan fate! Or join the so-called ‘axis of evil’ and branded ‘a country that harbors terrorists’. But what is the difference between the US own terrorism and the terrorists it seeks partner nations to fight? Nothing. Except that well oiled media and political machines have placed horns on one and hallo on the other.

 

The new epidemic of creating fears and manufacturing terrorist threats; incessant closures of US public buildings, the release of ‘sex-ed up dossiers’ of intelligence report on nations, closure of foreign missions in specific places around the world, the carefully timed raising and lowering of terror alert levels are ultimately targeted at sustaining the type of climate that can generate emotional reactions of constant fear and violence and thus force a US-dependent government, i.e. the ‘Karzai-zation’ of governments. All these are acts that are not more than an index of the desperation of the US authorities as it spreads its war of terror across the world. This new epidemic has become necessary once the US administration has realized that mere suppression or control of public opinions to destabilize and restructure societies to further their narrow and diabolical motives is no more enough.

 

However, the most worrying aspect of the current allegation is the strong manipulation to slowly marry Nigerian Muslims with terrorism thus making Nigerian people to be fearful of ordinary Muslims who live among them. Without doubt Nigerians have lived through interesting times. A negligible few with extreme and militant views combined with social frustration have engaged in recurrent inter-faith violence that has seen the slaughter and displacement of tens of thousand of innocent people of both faiths. In a strong appeal to a vicious mass, which operates outside normal and desirable controls, many hate preachers of both Islamic and Christian fait hs recruited followers that were prepared to kill even their own as they transcend every moral and ethics. This situation, in confluence with other factors such as successive bad governance, institutionalized corruption that speaks for itself, abject and widespread poverty, inter-ethnic strives and mistrust, and the breakdown of law and order in many places in the country, is easily exploited by the type of people who write the American intelligence reports to create further fears, chaos and division in a jittery populace; thus furthering their own agenda. While the few Christian extremists print, distribute, preach and practice anti-Islamic sentiments and materials publicly, certain elements within the Islamic community have equally preached and threatened with the corrupt message of Jihad. These warring factions, which constantly act above the law, are mostly backed or sponsored by mischievous people with political motives. Biased pundits motivated by personal agendas continu e to exploit and abuse the concept of Jihad and thus expose Islam and law-abiding Muslims to danger.

 

Jihad unfortunately has become the most misunderstood and most abused aspect of Islam. The call for Jihad should not be politicized nor trivialized, nor should the acts of certain individuals be allowed to taint an entire community or cause the death of the innocents. Jihad is never a tool of waging war against the innocents; it's never a means of flexing muscles or bullying the weak and oppressed. Jihad in Islam is something unique, established to defend the divine message from being eliminated or hindered by its enemies. In fact, the greater Jihad is the personal struggle to become a better Muslim as Islam encourages Muslims to be pious, truthful, upright, honest, trustworthy, altruistic and charitable in addition to being smart, resourceful and hardworking. Islam also encourages certain principles and values in the human linked to his accountability in the next life. Additionally, the Islamic belief commands the Muslim citizens to be fair and just towards their brethren, and likewise to their non-Muslim co-citizens. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said about the non-Muslim citizens of the (Khilafah) Islamic state: "One who hurts a dhimmi (non-Muslim citizen of the Khilafah), he hurts me and the one who hurts me, hurts Allah". While Islam encourages the oppressed people to struggle for their liberation and commands other Muslims to help those who are oppressed and suffering, Islam does not allow, under any circumstance, terrorism against non-combatants and innocent people. Terrorism is not Jihad, it is mischief and it is against the teachings of Islam.

 

Nigerian Muslims today as we know, like Muslims across the world, face great challenges. Staying silent in the face of militant secularism of those demonizing or killing innocent Muslims or tolerating the dangerous acts of the enemies within us

who themselves use violence against innocent people are not options for us despite the increasing intimidation and provocation. It is our obligation to expose this militant way of life either perpetrated by person within us or against us, not just for us, but for the whole of the world, who are the daily silent victims of policies and values produced by the ‘moral-less, conscience-less and God-less’ organizations that are spreading corruption and injustices all over the world. Organizations that pretend to be democratically sanctioned but that can do anything at any cost, no matter the number of casualties and level of damage to the human society. At this time, much more than at any other, we must carry ourselves bravely and courageously, but in a smart, intellectual and political way following the footsteps of the Messenger of Allah (P eace be upon him) while we address these important issues.

 

Also, it is time for well-meaning Nigerians to openly show their intolerance for violence as a means to demonstrate or express disagreement or opposition, settle differences or even address provocation. It is time for Muslims, Christians, law enforcement, political leaders and other community allies, to believe and support works to preserve the integrity of our society, to preserve human dignity and to ensure there is no room for insensitive actions by foreign governments and their intelligence communities that might have detrimental effects on our communities, on our common destiny and peaceful co-existence. The possibility of the acts of the foreign missions that (were panicked into) shut(ting) their doors through the vague allegations of ‘threat of mutual concern’ to spark a flame of panic and taint Nigeria’s image must not be overlooked. The serious allegation of terrorist and Islamic militants’ presence in our midst and the specific threat they pose must be competently and independently assessed and settled convincingly and quickly by our government. Nigerians need to be reassured that the Federal government is capable to insure public security against possible terrorist threats and will make courageous efforts to isolate fear mongers and prevent them from damaging our society.

 

In a situation like this, the government should quickly move beyond the usual vague rhetoric to actively work against countries that advocate fear, division and violence. We need to remember that fear and violence start with words such as those contained in the vague allegation of the terrorist threats and report of possible coup-de-tat. Even jokes or innocuous words can lead to acts of violence and disintegration of social order.

 

In the midst of grave international problems largely caused by the past actions of the current American government and the US intelligence community report of “specific and credible” threat to global peace posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD), President Bush seems to still busy himself with furthering irresponsible and callous acts rather than acting and working in ways that would substantially improve America's image and seek bold visions that would improve the lives of people that they have terrorized and repressed for ages, including Africans. Bold vision of universal liberty and compassion to lift those dying of hunger, diseases and wars out of the ir misery.

 

Kamor Disu

Director of Media & Communications

Muslim Public Affairs Committee, MPAC Nigeria.