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My Northern Brethren! Let’s Face It, We Have An Explosive Religious Problem On Our Hands (And What I Think We Can Do About It) By Sadiq Muhammed
Let me start by saying that I am neither writing for nor representing any group or organization (governmental or otherwise) on the above subject. These are entirely my views as a patriotic Nigerian, and a devout Moslem who happens to hail from the northern part of our country, specifically, Kano State.
Although I read some Nigerian newspapers, it saddens me to be reminded that this governor, minister or member of the national assembly has embezzled billions of naira (for which they are not jailed and their stolen wealth confiscated even where guilt is proven); or that some leaders have challenged Nigerians to be upright citizens, while they themselves are not upright; or that some business tycoon-whose source of wealth is questionable-has been conferred with a big chieftaincy title, which he most probably paid for anyway. I mean, who really cares? But give me a current copy of Newsweek International or The Economist magazines (UK) and I will learn that China’s GDP has slowed down by only 3%, or some assets in Dubai (where some Nigerians are flocking to buy expensive apartments and condos) are becoming toxic. Even though there may nothing about Nigeria’s GDP or assets in these international publications, I still enjoy such articles and brilliant analysis.
I would say that the terrorism incident that involved Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was one of the few instances in which I developed interest in understanding what our national media is saying on a matter of such global interest and all its potential consequences for Nigeria and Nigerians, especially those who travel around the world. The incredible incident involving the young (23 year old) Abdulmutallab got me reading several newspapers and also surfing some Nigerian websites. Not that I could not get sufficient material from CNN, but I in this particular case, I was more interested in the newspapers’ Op Eds and webpage comments of ordinary Nigerians. Normally, names attached to comments or opinions are a giveaway of where the commentator comes from. Another giveaway is also the content of the comment. I believe the point I am making is clear!
Even though I did not count all the comments (across several websites and newspapers) I would say that about 90 % of all comments by our southerner mostly Christian brethren were blameful of Islamic fanaticism exhibited by some die-hard Islamic extremists that are based in the northern parts of the country, such as Maitasine, Boko Haram, Kala Kato, etc and their deadly band of followers. The remaining 5 to 10% seemed to be more concerned about travel visas, and airport delays, and security pat downs. That’s not to say that they do not share the views of the 90%, there’s just no way to tell. It should be noted that the percentages I have used, are not based on a scientific sample that was subjected to a validity test and so on. The percentages were simply based on my observations of comments made on the issue as well as my gut feeling.
As experience has shown, these bandits have had no qualms in killing innocent Nigerians including Muslims who do not share in their warped interpretation and strange beliefs in terms of the way they think Islam should be practiced. As is entrenched in Islam, the term of which means Peace, the religion abhors violence and only encourages its adherents to defend themselves if attacked, but certainly not to attack, harm or kill innocent people. Any action that contravenes this basic principle of Islam would have deviated from the teachings of the Religion, and any murderous fanatics, are simply that, murderers, who should be severely dealt with in accordance with the law. For example, just about three days after that shocking attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to blow up a NWA plane over Detroit, came the equally terrible reports in the local press that over 30 mostly innocent people were killed in Bauchi, during clashes between police men and members of a religious sect known as Kalo Kato. Need I remind fellow Nigerians that last years the marauding bandits of Boko Haram also wreaked death and destruction on hundreds of Nigerians in Maiduguri, and about four other towns and cities in the northern part of the country. It may also be recalled that during the civilian regime of President Shehu Shagari, the Kano-based Maitatsine Islamic Fanatical group, caused the death of thousands of innocent Nigerians, majority of whom were ordinary Muslims who were practicing their religion in accordance with the teaching of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). But the Maitatsine devils believed that only those who practiced their fanatical brand of Islamic extremism should be spared. All others including other Muslims were fair game to be eliminated. Even the Nigeria Police could not handle the formidable Maitasine bandits. It was only the army that efficiently dealt with the group and liberated the Yan Awaki Quarters in Kano City, which the fanatics had turned into a state within a state. I have gone to this length to give these examples, simply to put into proper context, the dangerous situation that has been brewing as a result of the increasing menace of these fanatical Islamic groups in the northern part of our country.
To return to the main topic, there were much fewer comments by my own northern brothers and sisters, particularly the different category of leaders, such as Imam, traditional rulers and indeed, the northern elite. Of course it is no secret that we in the north do not read as much news items as do our southern brethren, even though my reason may be different from those of many others. However, from my personal perspective, I also saw a 90% to 10% split in terms of the comments that emanated from the north. Whereas majority of the commentators were shocked and in disbelief as well as very angry that this ‘stupid boy’ (in the words of someone) is giving Islam a bad name, the approximately 10% commentators actually made me laugh because I thought they turned themselves into objects of ridicule. This is because they actually believe that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was framed by the US Government in order to justify a military campaign in the northern part of our country. I then wondered whether in their warped way of reasoning, they also believed the boy’s father was part of that conspiracy. Of course the senior Mutallab is to be commended for his patriotism in that he personally alerted both the US Embassy in Abuja and some security agencies in Nigeria about his son’s disturbing and wayward behaviour, particularly his association with radical Islamic elements. In light of the above, I believe that the approximately 10% commentators were in denial. If the truth must be told, and it certainly must be told, the said fewer commentators prefer to blame someone else for a monster that has been created in certain communities in some parts of the north. It would appear that these murderous Islamic fanatics have been nurtured by a handful of power seeking characters both within and outside the various levels of governments in some northern states. Part of the reason may be that the said characters use these fanatics to settle all manner of political scores or they use the fanatics as thugs to promote their selfish and dubious political. Little wonder that this monster rears its deadly, ugly head now and then without the authorities concerned being able to tame and cage it. I do not believe that some of the authorities concerned are helpless. It would seem they prefer to look the other way—as a form of payback for services these fanatics/thugs may have rendered- when these criminals decide to unleash their murderous acts on innocent Nigerians. Otherwise, how come that in spite of the many acts of intolerance and deadly violence by these fanatics, none of them or these that are certainly behind them have been severely dealt with in accordance with the law of the land. The fanatics, on the basis of a flimsy excuse, attack and kill innocent Nigerians, the state government sets up some enquiry, a report is delivered containing some recommendations, and that is the end of the matter. The vicious circle repeats itself, and again, nobody is brought to book. Nigerians are tired of this merry-go-round. They want to see some severe and deterrent punishment meted out to especially the big fish, no matter who they may be.
I belong to the 90% or more of northerners who are angry about the failure of our leaders up north in seriously tackling this brewing problem of Islamic fanaticism that is being perpetrated by a relatively few misguided bandits, who do not even understand that Islam teaches peace, tolerance and respect for the views of others. However, these religious fanatics and their deliberate backers are at complete variance with the injunctions of Islam and the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is not that there are no fanatics in Christianity or Judaism, but why is it that the crazy fanatics like members of Boko Haram, Kala Kato and so on, are so intolerant of the views of others who do not agree with them (the fanatics). Why is it that at the slightest excuse, these fanatics resort to avoidable violence which in a lot of cases culminates in their killing of innocent Nigerians? However, the issue of intolerance is for discussion some other time. .
Meanwhile, my anger as hinted above is with a different twist. If we are to be honest with ourselves, then we should admit that we have a serious religious problem in the north that is brewing and would soon explode in all our faces. By ‘all’ I mean all of Nigeria. Let us go to the 90% of southerners, and believe me I have sympathy on such religious issues. However, I strongly disagree that most northerners are fanatics. I think such sweeping generalizations are as ridiculous as they are, in fact irresponsible. It is just like saying that all southerners are armed robbers or 419ers. Of course, that cannot be true or fair. In any case, I do not see that as the case, and like I said it is hard to know what percentage of Muslims in the north are fanatics since we have no scientific polling data that one can go by, although I don’t think any fanatic will agree to admit it during polling. All the same, any reasonable Nigerian would agree that most Muslims like their brethren who are Christians or who practice traditional religion, are generally peaceful people. It is always the very few that give others plenty of problems, as in the example of Islamic fanatics in the north. In addressing this issue of religious fanaticism, I have gleaned from and relied on hundreds of northerners that I know, in terms of their thinking and belief regarding the subject in question. I am talking of family members, extended family members, friends, friends of friends, work associates, acquaintances, all of whom are from the north. And believe me, sincerely speaking I have never come across or known someone or heard from anyone justifying or partaking in a violent religious action. Am I that unlucky? Maybe one could argue that. Remember the 10% who believe that Islam is under siege from the west so anything that happens regardless of the glaring evidence is western planned? I admit I have met quite a few northerners who have expressed such views, to which I, of course, do not subscribe. But to categorically justify killing an innocent person, am yet to come across one such northerner. Now, that is not to say they do not exist. It is obvious they do, otherwise we would not have these problems at the magnitude that they occur, and we would not have brainwashed young people like Umar Farouk Abdulmutallb, who, of course should bear his cross because he failed to listen to his parents and instead chose to disown his very respectable family. He instead chose to join the super Islamic fanatics and also agreed to carryout their deadly act. We will continue to thank the Almighty God that the young man did not succeed in blowing up the NWA plane and with it about 300 innocent lives among them Muslims, Christians, people of other religions and of course, women and children. My point though is that such die-hard fanatics in the north are not as many as southerners want to believe. Even though most enlightened southerners know the truth, perhaps out of mischief, they prefer to generalize, which of course will not solve the problem of fanaticism by a relative few who are inclined to violence.
Fanaticism by definition is potent stuff. Very Potent! For example, in a population of over 70 million (about our size in the north) a mere 100,000 can be very destructive if they are potent. That is just slightly more than a tenth of one percent. Can you imagine 100,000 willing would be suicide bombers? We would have a bomb everyday for the next 270 years. Can you imagine that? You don’t need a whole lot of people to create religious instability. My point in all this is to show the small number of extremists that we have. However as small as they are, they can also make terrorize our country, if their activities are not seriously checked to the extent that they are subdued.
I have already admitted we northerners have a problem with extremism, as few as I believe they are; their potency is more than enough to do plenty of damage. Now, I believe it is not too late to reverse the ugly trend. Basically, the northern leadership at all levels, must seriously and sincerely tackle this very dangerous problem from two fronts; that is through political and social reforms. If you notice, I did not say religious reform, I’ll explain why.
Before delving into these reforms, I would like to stress that our Islamic scholars, intellectuals, traditional leaders and government leaders, top business men and women, politicians and particularly the youth in the north, have not come out sufficiently enough to vehemently condemn the potentially deadly act of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in far away United States and for whatever reason. Certainly, such acts must be very strongly condemned, as our religion of Islam means peace and it stands for peace and the speaking of the truth, which must always be said even if one of our own is involved. Islam abhors suicide and the killing of innocent people. Period! Any perpetrator of such act must be severely dealt with according to the laws of the land.
Now, it is important too mention that it would be a grave mistake to simply dismiss the problem of Islamic fanaticism in the north as beyond redemption. Of course with consistent proper approach over time, some of the gullible individuals who are recruited mainly because of abject poverty, by the ungodly leaders of these fanatical groups could still be salvaged, especially if they are provided with useful education and gainful employment. But have our leaders in the north serious and collectively addressed the issue which is intertwined with that of Almajirai which is a body of potential recruits for fanatical leaders. It is not only the leaders of states in which Islamic fanatics have struck that should address then issue. It must be seriously tackled collectively by all northern governors and leaders at various strata of society, and by extension, the Federal Government and all southern states must contribute ideas of how best to handle this ticking time bomb. This is because, the fanatics may strike today in Kano, another time it may be in Maiduguri, Bauchi, Jos, Ibadan, or Agege-Lagos, and so on.
Talking about reforms, I will start with political reform because I believe everything should begins with our political leaders (in government and the legislature) for they set the socio-economic tone for the country or the state, as the case may be. The leaders in the north are overwhelmingly Moslem which is a simple reflection of the populace. They need to make a political admission that the increasing problem of Islamic fanaticism exists around the north. Perhaps, hate laws should be enacted by every state assembly in the north with very stiff punishment for inciters and offenders. And convicted offenders must be punished and must be seen by the public to have been severely punished. The problem is growing because nobody gets punished and at its some God fathers have reportedly gotten perpetrators of religious intolerance and violence off the hook when they are detained by the police. A hate law specifically addresses crimes that are committed based on race, gender, creed or religion. So for example, if you kill someone because of drugs or during a robbery or even for ritualistic purposes in a country which has a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison, a hate law (meaning you killed him because of his religion, etc) might double the punishment, jail you for life or even send you to the electric chair. I do not believe I have ever heard of anyone (cleric or extremist foot soldier) being tried and executed or even jailed after the calm of a religious clash has set in. Let me take it even a step further, I have never heard a northern leader or member of the elite boldly advocating for such laws. My hunch is these leaders do not really see Islamic fanaticism as their problem. I do not envisage seeing them eating popcorn and laughing on a couch watching a deadly religious crisis on TV. No! But it is just that they do not seem care a hoot about anybody being maimed or killed, even if such a dastardly act happens within their own locality. After all how many mud houses surround mansions that are dotted all over the north? This move requires boldness and truth. It might sound unpopular not because people enjoy the crisis but because it would be the first time such a thing has ever happened before. However, the leaders in the north must act swiftly and decisively in order to contain this marauding and ballooning monster of religious fanaticism. Condemning a religious crisis is one thing (which a few leaders do after the fact), but not tolerating it is quite another thing, and this has to begin with the elected and religious leaders who must begin to seriously demonstrate zero tolerance for any form of Islamic fanaticism.
Second is the social reform which is much more complex and the positive results may not be felt for a long time. Again, some may think I am a poll freak. But there is no reliable data that scientifically shows how many children are not attending, say primary and secondary school; or how many beggars majority of whom are Hausas) exist in most Nigerian urban centres, particularly in the north. Also, is there reliable data on un-employed youth of between 23 and 45 years of age? I can go on and on. Without such reliable data, how can one effectively plan for the people’s socio-economic development? On what reliable data have the various governments been basing their budgets and development plans? Little wonder that we seem to be going round and round in a vicious cycle. Let us take education, for example. We need to get everybody to attend school at least until a certain level. There are estimates that say in some northern states; about 40% of the children do not attend primary school at all. And even the other 59.9% that attend public schools can barely construct a proper grammatical sentence in the official language of Nigeria-English. The other 0.1%, well, they attend private schools. One can make a valid argument that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attended the best private schools around. This is true. I am sure there are very few people among the elites who have the characteristics of this young man. And there probably will always be. However, an elite extremist is unlikely to approach me to join a violent religious movement since I am educated engineer and if anything, I have so much at stake. But within the masses, the leaders of the various Islamic fundamentalist groups simply see in the multitude of the unemployed and uneducated youth, vast rivers filled with fish which they can always catch with very minimum efforts, because these small fish are down right gullible. I strongly believe that the more the hapless youth and masses in the north are educated, the less fish there would be to catch by the God fathers of the fanatics. It is that simple.
Talking about social amenities, I was home in Kano to celebrate the past Sallah and I saw how the people were happy with the Shekarau Administration because of the new six and four lane modern roads being constructed and others repaired all over the place, which the people say is enhancing their commercial activities. While I agree that good road networks are important for commerce, etc, the government should continue to intensify its effort at providing portable water for the people of the state through the new and upgraded water treatment plants and the sinking of many bore holes in the rural areas. Also, good money should continue to be spent in rehabilitating schools in the rural areas, so that the best teachers would have a better environment to produce students who can get into Harvard and MIT and become top class medical doctors, engineers, scientists, teachers, finance and management experts, etc.. I am talking of giving opportunities to students who are children of the masses. Like I said earlier, the suggested reforms would not manifest immediately. For example, Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi’s PRP Government in Kano under the guidance of the late Malam Aminu Kano propped up the Dawakin Tofa and Dawakin Kudu secondary schools. These schools were a deliberate attempt by the Rimi’s Government to educate many children who otherwise had no other option for a good education. This strategy resulted in producing more doctors and engineers for the state. These were the children of the masses. The other social problem will probably hit home much more severally, and that is parenting! I am sorry to say with the benefit of hind sight and giving the unflattering scenarios of the youth, most northern parents would seem to have abandoned their parental responsibilities of listening to, supporting and guiding their children, especially at the formative and gullible stage of the youth. Even for those children who are lucky to be attending school, many parents never seem to bother to sit down and talk with their children so as the find out what is happening in their school, discuss their children’s homework and offer advise and support. Also of extreme importance is the point that most parents would seem to care less about the type of company their children are keeping. Many of the children that have been creating problems for everybody, have the tendency to be moving with bad company who bring peer pressure on them and get them to do all kinds of terrible things just to “conform.” Thus, there is appears to be a huge disconnect between parents (especially the fathers) and child or children. I am not saying that was the case with Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab or other right thinking families, for that matter. To be sure, some parents do their level best to keep their wards within the confines of decent behaviour.
My siblings and I have been fortunate to have had parents who were in our lives every step of the way, just like I am in my young son’s life right now. The idea is to get the child to exploit his or her potentials and work on their weakness, love, guide, protect and support them, and as they grow up, keep a very strict and watchful eye on the company they keep. It must be a responsible company of like minded children who are encouraged to take their education and social life seriously, and who are also encouraged to become achievers and useful to themselves and society. Any child who gets trapped in a bad company would have blown such opportunities to become decent, responsible and achievement-oriented citizens. It is one thing to be a father, even rapists can be fathers. But it is quite a different matter to be a dad in the real sense of the word. I grew up with many friends who could not have meaningful conversations with their respective dads. Such dads are in their own chalets with their own special menu and expensive cars. Every other person is down below. Now it will not be fair to put this problem squarely on government. I guess this is where the religious leaders come in. I understand there are some discussions to address these issues, but more needs to be done. Ultimately it is an individual responsibility.
Lastly is religious reform or the lack of it. If you are a Moslem who attends sermons in the north like me, I am sure you would notice that preachers almost exclusively talk about social religious issues such as the how long your beard should be, how you should pray, the way you relate to your wife, etc. Some tend to be extremely conservative and others a bit more liberal. I am not sounding naïve but I have never attended a sermon where the cleric has advised us to stage a strike for what are truly our rights. Conservatism, yes, lots of it. So many pronouncements go into one ear and exit from the other. This is because, I simply have a different interpretation and understanding of some of the points these preachers raise. And are some of them sincerely well versed and learned in the areas they try to demonstrate expertise? I really do not know. But am sorry, conservatism is not necessarily radicalism. In the north majority of us happen to be a conservative bunch. We are not liberal as the Moslems in Senegal or Mali, for example. Well, that is just who we are and probably who we will continue to be. Let me use Saudi Arabia, for example. I have never been there (I am not yet an Al-Hajj), but many people that I know have performed the Hajj. Besides, the global news media would give you a good understanding of the conservatism that exists on in Saudi Arabia. It is probably the most conservative Islamic country in the world. And yes they have a lot of non-Moslems living in cities like Jeddah, Riyadh and many parts of the desert Kingdom mainly working in the oil and gas industry. These expatriates are not immune to the global threat that al-Qaeda poses. However, I have never heard a situation whereby Saudi locals are going around killing non-Moslems in a religious crisis. And believe me conservatism is like the middle name of Saudi Arabia. There are more religious crisis’ in a liberal Moslem nation like Turkey where women are forbidden to wear the Islamic head scarf in public institutions, than in conservative ones like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, or Qatar. My point exactly is, I do not see any supporting evidence that our conservative nature is responsible for the unrest. It is simply people who take to extremism and fanaticism, which should not be tolerated by the authorities, because if unchecked, it may consume everybody. I have very few male friends who would not shake a woman’s hand that are not their wives, who’s length of their beard is very important to them, and who would not eat any meat from Mr Biggs. I will also testify that within them, these chaps do not have an ounce of hatred of other religions. They are just conservatives.
Let me conclude by emphasizing that proper, systematic and realistic steps towards political and social reforms are necessary to combat Islamic fanaticism or extremism in the north. This is hurting the north and threatening to tear the country apart. We will always have extremists in every religion no matter what we do. For example, Reverend King, but at least that is much more manageable than the craziness that is happening in the north and so many other hot spots across the world such as Pakistan and Yemen. The only way this extremism can be mitigated is from within. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab has brought a lot of heat on me personally. Believe me it is not a good feeling when your friends look at you askance. Who likes being on the spot for a negative subject? Sometimes there is pressure to try and explain your way out what some nut head has done. I am ready to call a spade a spade and admit there is a brewing problem of Islamic fanaticism in the north. The best reaction by the leadership of the northern states is not to keep quite or make half hearted comments; the real challenge would entail grabbing the bull by the horns and taming the marauding and deadly beast. I hope the north will rise up to the challenge, admit that there is a problem, and more importantly, put in place mechanisms to combat and solve that problem in the best interest of Islam, which stands for peace, and in the best interest of the north, Nigeria and indeed mankind. The authorities must never allow a band of criminals scattered hear and their around the north to be maiming and killing innocent Nigerians for whatever reason. The perpetrators and their backers must be brought to book and they must be seen to have been severely dealt with in accordance with the law of the land. Whatever anyone might think or say about Nigeria, it is the only country we have and we (the leaders and followers) must collectively rise up to its defence as has happened in the past. Nigeria is great and precious, let us not sit idly by and loose it to a bunch of mad and heartless extremists. |