₦airaland Forum

Looks like an antelope, Nigerians and our crazy mentality. If it's a beast, nobody would dare go close to it or skin it.

Nice one Rauf, create more criminals while dissecting the state in preparation for the next election.

You don't need to pay more unnecessary salaries to make the state better.

talk2xp: Well am not a Muslim but I believe in Prophet Mohammed. Being a baptist and attending a catholic school I realised that religion is nothing but politics. Dont get me wrong I mean religion not God. Islam has got its challenges but that is not what the religion preaches. Prophet Mohammed is a role model for peace. A friend of mine brought a book from the UK last December and its was about the world most influential people. Prophet Mohammed was rated first and the reason was how he was able to spread his faith across the world. Fellow Christians, dont get me wrong but this made me to inquire more about his person from non Islamic documentaries and research and I found out he is not what we call him. When he migrated to Medina he met Jews and Christians there he respected and even associated freely with them. Same thing he did and commanded his companion to do when he went to Syria after he conquered Mecca. He believes in the almighty God and even talked to people not only about Jesus Christ but all other prophets. He refers Christians as people of the book with that he meant the Holy Bible. The list goes on and on. We must understand that the people we do evil to will always raise and rain more havoc on us. Without any fear I say we Christians started it. The Roman empire did not play fair to this whole menace same as also the British empire. To some of this empire it was about do it my way or you die and I challenge anyone to say this a lie. We live in a glass house and yet we throw stones. The world infidel started from we Christians, Pope Nicholas V started slave trade. Just say Allahu Akbar in ancient Spain not only you but your entire household will be wiped out. Do you see a Muslim becoming the President of the United State or the british Royal family marrying a Muslim? Diana tried it we know how she ended.

I say this categorically we are all the same. We mess up with their head they mess up with our lives. All I need to say is that we must pray, pray and pray. My people will say "you send rat to me, I send snake to you". My response is WHY SHOULD YOU SEND SOMETHING TO ME IN THE FIRST PLACE. Respect is reciprocal. Simple! All this happening I say they go beyond religion.

Nice, Sheik talk2xp.

afam4eva: Hmmm...are they gonna jail or deport these ones too?

The Anambra deportation is still hurting abi? no vex

Wow, so Sexkillz is maclatunji, good to know.

[quote author=Sisi_Kill]This sentence alone totally gives him up. . .GEJ did not write this statement. [/quote] aba?

maclatunji: Power? Na God get power. We are nothing but instruments in the proverbial hands of God.

dey show yourself, you be corny instrument. So you had to block people out of this thread for your fellow "innocent muslims" to comment and like first abi.

But why do you people have to lie and deceive to propagate your religion? god pass you sha.

sino: I can be a monster, the devil himself, there is so much evil i can possibly do,
But, i'll rather be an angel, nay, a human, a man who is envied and respected by the angels.

The world is my stage, my power knows no limit; everything on earth, to me, subservient;
Still, i am just, balanced, never to the extremes, for i rule by the sharia; the law divine.

I am me in front of a tyrant, when faced with adversity or great misfortune, i show no fear nor grieve for i have faith and i pray.

I am patient and calm, sometimes, docile as a dove; for i have been told: success is for those who patiently preserve.

I am a lion, bold and fierce, my enemies quiver at my presence, yet, i show compassion...

Even though i am being misrepresented by unscrupulous few, i remain true; dedicated to the truth.

I am a part of a new world order, one which gaurantees a lasting peace to planet earth.

Who am i? you ask...
I am a Muslim, one who submits to the creator with hope and fear of meeting with Him at the end of the day.

now i see what motivates suicide bombers. NOBODY, i repeat, NOBODY dey fear una.

You go fear poem.

[size=14pt]maclatunji i see your power on NL, nice one.[/size]

Gorrbachev: Goodluck, you have your work cut out for you. there are about 5 billion infidels to go.

lmao

[size=15pt]maclatunji!!!, trying to bury your pro Jihadist thread under this ones, right? I see you.[/size]

usmanyaro17: You are correct Mr. President no society can develop in a violent atmosphere...

Yeah true talk Ussy, this is evident in northern Nigeria.

[quote author=truelove.com]how psquare come be mumu?…or abi na bad thing 2help person?[/quote]How did P-square help him? You don't need rocket science to know they wanted to finish him with the way he was fired. They even removed his video from youtube. aba, which kin help be that?

Why didn't they remove Chop My Money or edit his part out, if the offence he committed is so terrible?

jammyng: Must all artistes have record labels?!

What happened to him is a reason why every artiste should be independent.

His major weakness was his sharp tongue. He could almost raise the dead with it.

O le fi enu bu oku dide.

[size=15pt]Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday disregarded a U.N. warning to avoid incendiary rhetoric and declared ahead of the annual General Assembly session that Israel has no roots in the Middle East and would be "eliminated."[/size]

In remarks to reporters in New York, he also said he does not take seriously the threat that Israel could launch a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, denied sending arms into Syria, and called economic conditions in his sanctions-hit country "not as bad as they are portrayed."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted Israel could strike Iran's nuclear sites and has criticized U.S. President Barack Obama's position that sanctions and diplomacy should be given more time to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iran denies that it is seeking nuclear arms and says its atomic work is peaceful, aimed at generating electricity.

"Fundamentally we do not take seriously the threats of the Zionists. ... We have all the defensive means at our disposal and we are ready to defend ourselves," Ahmadinejad said.

He is in New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly. His speech is scheduled for Wednesday.

On Sunday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with Ahmadinejad and warned him of the dangers of incendiary rhetoric in the Middle East. Ahmadinejad did not heed the warning.

Ahmadinejad alluded to his previous rejection of Israel's right to exist. "Iran has been around for the last seven, 10 thousand years. They (the Israelis) have been occupying those territories for the last 60 to 70 years, with the support and force of the Westerners. They have no roots there in history," he said, speaking to reporters through an interpreter.

The modern state of Israel was founded in 1948.

"We do believe that they have found themselves at a dead end and they are seeking new adventures in order to escape this dead end. Iran will not be damaged with foreign bombs," Ahmadinejad said, referring to Israel.

"We don't even count them as any part of any equation for Iran. During a historical phase, they represent minimal disturbances that come into the picture and are then eliminated," Ahmadinejad added.

In 2005, Ahmadinejad called Israel a "tumor" and echoed the words of the former Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, by saying that Israel should be wiped off the map.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a brigadier general in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was quoted on Sunday as saying that Iran could launch a pre-emptive strike on Israel if it was sure the Jewish state was preparing to attack it.

Ahmadinejad said the nuclear issue was one ultimately between the United States and Iran, and must be resolved with negotiations.

He added, "The nuclear issue is not a problem. But the approach of the United States on Iran is important. We are ready for dialogue, for a fundamental resolution of the problems, but under conditions that are based on fairness and mutual respect."

"We are not expecting a 33-year-old problem between the United States and Iran to be resolved in a speedy fashion. But there is no other way besides dialogue," Ahmadinejad said.

U.S. President Barack Obama will underscore his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and address Muslim unrest related to an anti-Islamic video in his speech to General Assembly on Tuesday, the White House said.

'BULLYING COUNTRIES'

Ahmadinejad also addressed a high-level meeting on the rule of law at the United Nations on Monday, saying states should not yield to international law as imposed "by bullying countries."

In the past, Ahmadinejad has used his U.N. speeches to defend Iran's nuclear program and to attack Israel, the United States and Europe. He has questioned the Holocaust and cast doubt on whether 19 hijackers were really responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001.

Western envoys typically walk out of Ahmadinejad's speeches in protest.

Ahmadinejad said on Monday that Iran - under U.N., U.S. and European Union sanctions over its nuclear program - is used to economic restrictions and is not severely affected by them.

"The conditions in Iran are not as bad as they are portrayed by some," Ahmadinejad said, adding that his country can survive without oil revenues.

Ahmadinejad added that Iran's economy is in much better shape that that of the EU, which he said was "on the verge of disintegration and collapse."

Iran has held several rounds of talks this year on the nuclear issue with six world powers: the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain - as well as Germany. The six powers are represented by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said last Wednesday that he and Ashton had agreed to defer more nuclear talks until the latter had consulted the six powers on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly this week.

There will be high-level side meetings on Iran's nuclear program and the Syrian conflict during the General Assembly, but U.N. diplomats do not expect either issue to be resolved soon.

'WE SEEK PEACE IN SYRIA'

The United Nations and Western officials have accused Iran of supplying weapons to Syria's pro-government forces, while Syria's government has accused Qatar and Saudi Arabia of arming rebels determined to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

Ahmadinejad rejected the charge that Iran was sending arms to Syria. "The so-called news that you alluded to has been denied vehemently, officially," Ahmadinejad said in a response to a question. "We seek peace in Syria. We like and love both sides. ... We see both sides as equally our brothers."

"In Syria, the intervention and meddling from outside have made conditions that much tougher," Ahmadinejad said. "We must help to quell the violence and help ... (facilitate) a national dialogue."

A U.N. Security Council panel of independent experts that monitors sanctions against Iran has uncovered several examples of Iran transferring arms to Syria. The United States and Britain say they are providing non-lethal assistance to Syria's rebels such as communications equipment, but not arms.

Ahmadinejad also addressed the issue of a California-made anti-Islam video, "The Innocence of Muslims," that has sparked anti-American protests around the Muslim world. He appeared to reject Washington's position that while it condemns the video's content, freedom of expression must be upheld.

"Freedoms must not interfere with the freedoms of others," Ahmadinejad said. "If someone insults, what would you do? ... Is insulting other people not a form of crime?"

Since the controversy over the video erupted this month, some Muslim leaders have reiterated calls for a U.N. measure outlawing insults to Islam and blasphemy in general.

Ahmadinejad also was asked about a move by an Iranian religious foundation, in response to the "The Innocence of Muslims," to increase its reward for the killing of British author Salman Rushdie.

"Where is he now?" Ahmadinejad asked of Rushdie. "Is he in the United States? If he is, you shouldn't broadcast that for his own safety."

Rushdie, an Indian-born British novelist who has nothing to do with the video, was condemned to death in 1989 by Khomeini, Iran's late leader, over his novel "The Satanic Verses," saying its depiction of the Prophet Mohammad was blasphemous.

Iran has a two-term limit for presidents. Ahmadinejad, widely seen as out of favor with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ends his second term next year. "But that does not mean I will be separating myself from politics," he said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/24/us-un-assembly-ahmadinejad-idUSBRE88N0HF20120924

In New York, defiant Ahmadinejad says Israel will be "eliminated"

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/24/us-un-assembly-ahmadinejad-idUSBRE88N0HF20120924

kulikuli26: see another uninformed slowpoke coming to display ignorance, its not an iranian minister dat placed bounty on nakoula's head rather a pakistani.please always get ur facts right before coming to this forum.this goes a long way to confirm the ignorance in ur entire post.So israel that is not sincere enough to sign up to Non Proliferation Treaty(NPT) can be trsuted with nuclear programmes abi?

Iranian R.Os have a bounty on Salman Rushdie, the author of The Satanic verses. It was increased to $3 million in reaction to Innocence of muslims.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2204217/Anti-Islam-video-leads-Iran-increase-bounty-Rushdies-head--called-garbage.html

shymexx: Iran is a rogue nation, yet those who engineered regime change in Iran in 1953 are sane nations, no??

Iran is a rogue nation, yet it's part of NPT(Non-Proliferation Treaty) and it has no nuke... However, Israel has about 100 mukes, and it's not a signatory to NPT...

Tell me who looks stupid and unintelligent now??

Iran has a right to defend itself, just as every independent country on this planet...

Humanity >>> Indoctrination... Pro-humanity for life!!

You're a simpleton!!

[size=15pt]
Iran is twice as guilty as any nation it is accusing of meddling and interference. iran's dirty influence is seen in Gaza, lebanon, Syria and even Nigeria. I still remember that retard arrested a few months ago trying to import container load of arms into Nigeria. All your post suggest you are mentally sub-normal, you sniveling, pathetic odious retard. appalling pig full of broken dreams. fool[/size]

Danka7777: Why do people have an immeasurable of amount of nescience in understanding simple educational-driven thread? Who is spreading propaganda? Don't you notice I link and cite my sources for every link that I post on here. Do you know what citation mean? Do you know the definition of propaganda? Why are people so invariably nescient. I am not a supporter of Iran nor do I support their ideology. For your information, I more pro US and Israel. I just state facts as they are and that's it. And admire Iran for their taste for knowledge and inventions, that's what this thread is about. Pls, hold your peace remain quiet.

You are not pro iran but you are so happy about a 100 km in 3 hours toy.

shymexx: You're a fake Yoruba man, I'm the real Yoruba man because Yoruba is synonymous with critical thinking - and that's something you lack!!!

IF Israel and USA were all that, how come they have been sabre-rattling for more than 30 years, yet none of them is brave enough to attack Iran?? Isael can't match Iran in anything - from intellectuals, to military might - FACT...

Israel is SCARED of Iran just like most Western countries...

PS: Don't talk down on other countries when your country can't even build the smallest working missile system..

and look at the original Yoruba man trying to spread pro Iranian propaganda on NL. to get who's sympathy? Oponu. Nigeria does not deserve to build any sophisticated modern weapon. Iran is a rouge nation, the first to invade a foreign embassy, which has become a norm in the islamic world now. if the bombs start landing you can go and fight for them. ode, Abirun lasan.

Ozonna: Guys, Israel are not afraid of attacking Iran neither are US scared of doing so. The only problem is that US (and its citizens) are tired of fighting another war.

Also, Iran has threatened to block the Straight of Homuz(tamuz not so sure of the name). This will lead to severe oil shortage (Nigeria should be praying for this war ) and this is exactly what US and the west are trying to avoid.

Israel have the capacity to wage a successful war against Iran. They've been preparing for decades of how to defende themselves against all out Arabian invasion (Persian included) and Iran knows this thats why they always threaten to block the sea route.

We also forget that Israel manufacture their own Unmanned drones and even sell them to the now powerful Turkey.

As we praise the Iranian scientists for this feat, lets not lose sight of the fact that Israelis have their own scientists as well who have achieved more in world science and technology than the Iranians.

Also lets not compare Nigeria to Iran as this is not the topic of discussion.

Thank you.

Danka7777: Again, you are comparing Apples with Oranges. Saddam as with Iraq never manufactured any technology or weapon. What they had were sourced from the U.S; so the U.S prior to attacking them pretty much knew how to deal with them...their technology. To the contrarily, Iran manufactures its technology, yes homegrown, and has gone through massive technology overhaul in the past 20 years. They are persians and not arabs like saddam and Gaddafi.

The only barging chip Iran has, is to flood the straits of hormuz with mines, which is a major transit route and threaten to damage Israeli infrastructures via hezbollah. I'm also not arguing, they are not self sufficient in small arms, tanks, short range missiles. Iran does not stand a chance if any war breaks out. The consequence of war with Iran will be poorer neighbours (no export), free oil and iranians killing each other. So stop spreading your foolish propaganda here. BTW i'm holding on to my peace, i know it's something you muslims don't understand.

kulikuli26: my brother honestly if they do,its going to be a long war cos Iran have said they wont fight short war at alllllllllll that even if enemies opt to stop they wont......this is really getting interesting

[size=13pt]Look, stop getting excited, Iran will be attacked when the time is right and there is nothing any man born of a woman can do about it. Ask Saddam, Same pep talk was done for Iraq. you are not helping when you boast Iran can defend it self. [/size]

shymexx: What can your country build, slob??

So, you're American now?? Bwahahahaha

Get your country on Iran's level before you critique their achievements...

I'm a Yoruba man. Your Nigeria as it is, can not develop except pay salaries and pursue white elephant projects. Stop endangering the lives of innocent Iranians, they can't match Israel and US in any type of war. Yes, they claim to be self sufficient in conventional military hardware. So, if any war starts today, they stand no chance. And can you call your father a slob? stupid muhamedian

[size=16pt]Even Primary school students put drones together now. So Iranian supporters stop getting excited over a 100 kg - 100 km in 3 hours drone.[/size]

Danka7777: Great advice. I don't think Nigerian government knows how to entice young minds. Just imagined, if Nigeria military employ all these young engineers who are unemployed and enlist them into the military in research fields, with adequate resources and great minds like Professor Bath Nnaji and many others, I think in less than 5 years, we will make headway.

Read about the great Professor Gordian Obuneme Ezekwe (1929-1997). He led the engineering team that designed most of the Biafra's weapons and inventions. IBB made him Minister of science and Technology. Very powerful mind; how he did this, today still baffles Nigeria Government.

http://www.ogbomoso.net/adekunle8.html

If Nigeria breaks into regions, patriotism and national development can be easily achieved.

I won't invent something, for a mallam from no where to use, potentially against my people
Likewise an hausa leader/government can't sponsor/encourage an igbo inventor who is trying to do good for him self and country, though his invention would benefit all. same applies to other tribes
My point, Nigeria needs a clearly negotiated and agreed term to exist in order to make any progress in science and technology.
Everyone has to know his place for us to have ant meaningful progress

Danka7777: Iran is not an arab countries my friend. This is something that pains me about some Nigerians, they say things they not sure about. They are Persians. Very educated people. Go to US engineering departments, 30% of their professors are Iranians. I went to the school in the U.S and I can authoritatively say this. Very educated people with unbridled intelligence and invention acumen second to none.

once again, Iranians are not Arabs and don't behave like arabs.

Yeah, they are educated and aspiring to do better.
Anger as Iran bans women from university

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-22/iranian-women-banned-from-77-university-courses/4275764
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9487761/Anger-as-Iran-bans-women-from-universities.html

ledafaze: Azerbaijan, Baku, Sep. 23 /Trend, D. Khatinoglu/

Iran built new "completely home made" Liko drone with capacity of carrying 100 kg of cargo, ISNA reported on Sunday.
The 53-kg weight drone reportedly can fly 100 km for 3 hours.
According to the ISNA report the stealth Liko drone is equipped with cameras which can deliver the photos permanently and also has a smart photo processor unit. This double- engine drone works with ordinary gasoline.
First time Iran announced the production of homemade unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with bombing and reconnaissance capabilities in February 2011.
So far, Iran has produced Karrar and Shahed 129 which are capalibe to carry missiles.

Source: http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/2068533.html

100 km in 3 hours? That's very fast.

To such a degree has Religion fueled conflict, complicated politics, retarded social development and impaired human relations across the world, that one is often tempted to propose that Religion is innately an enemy of Humanity, if not indeed of itself a crime against Humanity. Certainly it cannot be denied that Religion has proved again and again a spur, a motivator, and a justification for the commission of some of the most horrifying crimes against humanity, despite its fervent affirmations of peace. Let us however steer away from hyperbolic propositions and simply settle for this moderating moral imperative: that it is time that the world adopt a position that refuses to countenance Religion as an acceptable justification for, excuse or extenuation of - crimes against humanity.

While it should be mandatory that states justify their place as members of a world community by educating their citizens on the entitlement of religion to a place within society, and the obligations of mutual acceptance and respect, it should be deemed unacceptable that the world is held to ransom for the uneducated conduct of a few, and placed in a condition of fear, apprehension, leading to a culture of appeasement. There are critical issues of human well-being and survival that deserve the undivided attention of leaders all over the world. Let us recall that it is not anti-islamists who have lately desecrated and destroyed - and with such fiendish self-righteousness - the tombs of Moslem saints in Timbuktoo, most notoriously the mausoleum of the Imam Moussa al-Khadin, declared a world heritage under the protection of UNESCO and accorded pride of place in African patrimony . The orientation – backed by declarations - of these violators leaves us with a foreboding that the invaluable library treasures of Timbuktoo may be next.

The truth, alas, is that the science fiction archetype of the mad scientist who craves to dominate the world has been replaced by the mad cleric who can only conceive of the world in his own image, proudly flaunting Bond’s Double-0-7 credentials – Licensed to Kill. The sooner national leaders and genuine religious leaders understand this, and admit that no nation has any lack of its own dangerous loonies, be they known as Ansar-Dine of Mali, or Terry Jones of Florida, the earlier they will turn their attention to real issues truly deserving human priority. These cited clerics and their ilk are descendants of the ancient line of iconoclasts of Islamic, christian and other religious moulds who have destroyed the antecedent spirituality and divine emblems of the African peoples over centuries. Adherents of those African religions, who remain passionately attached to their beliefs, all the way across the Atlantic – in Brazil and across other parts of Latin America – have not taken to wreaking vengeance on their presumed violators in far off lands.
These emulators are still at work on the continent, most devastatingly in Somalia, with my own nation Nigeria catching up with mind-boggling rapidity and intensity. Places of worship are primary targets, followed by institutes of education. Innocent humanity, eking out their miserable livelihood, are being blown to pieces, presumably to relieve them of their misery. Schools and school pupils are assailed in religion fueled orgies, measured, deliberate and deadly. The hands of the clock of progress and social development have been arrested, then reversed in widening swathes of the Nigerian landscape. As if the resources of the nation were not already stretched to breaking point, they must now also be diverted to anticipating the consequences – as in numerous nations around the world – that would predictably follow the cinematic obscenities of a new entrant into the ranks of religious denigrators, who turns out – irony of ironies - to have originated from the African continent.

In sensible families, while every possible effort is made to smooth the passage of children through life, children are taught to understand that life is not a seamless robe of many splendours, but prone to the possibility of being besmirched by the unexpected, and unpredictable. A solid core of confidence in one’s moral and spiritual choices is thus sufficient to withstand external assaults from sudden and hostile forces. That principle of personality development is every bit as essential as the education that inculcates respect for the belief systems and practices of others. The most intense ethical education, including severe social sanctions, has not eradicated material corruption, exploitation, child defilement and murders in society, not even deterrents such as capital punishment. How then can anyone presume that there shall be no violations of the ideal state of religious tolerance to which we all aspire, or demand that the world stand still, cover its head in sackcloth and ashes, grovel in self-abasement or else prepare itself for earthly pestilence for failure to anticipate the occasional penetration of their self ascribed carapace of inviolability.

It is time to demand a sense of proportion, and realism. Communication advance has made it possible for both good and evil to transcend boundaries virtually at the speed of light, and for the spores of hatred to travel just as fast, and as widely as the seeds of harmony. The world should not continue to acquiesce in the brutal culture of extremism that demands the impossible - control of the conduct of millions in their individual spheres, under different laws, usages, cultures and indeed – degrees of sanity.

What gives hope is the very special capacity of man for dialogue, and that arbiter is foreclosed, or endures interminable postponements as long as one side arrogates to itself the right to respond to a pebble thrown by an infantile hand in Papua New Guinea with attempts to demolish the Rock of Gibraltar. I use the word ‘infantile’ deliberately, because these alleged insults to religion are no different from the infantile scribble we encounter in public toilets, the product of infantilism and retarded development. We have learnt to ignore, and walk away from them. They should not be answered by equally infantile responses that are however incendiary and homicidal in dimension, and largely directed against the innocent, since the originating hand is usually, in any case, beyond reach. With the remorseless march of technology, we shall all be caught in a spiral of reprisals, tailored to wound, to draw virtual blood. The other side responds with real blood and gore, also clotting up the path to rational discourse. What we are witnesses to in recent times is that such proceeding is being accorded legitimacy on the grounds of religious sensibility. It is pathetic to demand what cannot be guaranteed. It is futile to attempt to rein in technology: the solution is to use that very technology to correct noxious conceptions in the minds of the perpetrators of abuse, and educate the ignorant.

I speak as one from a nation whose normal diet of economic disparity, corruption, marginalization, ethnic and political cleavages has been further compounded by the ascendancy of religious jingoism. It is a lamentable retrogression from the nearly forgotten state of harmonious coexistence that I lived and enjoyed as a child. One takes consolation in the fact that some of us did not wait to sound warnings until the plague of religious extremism entered our borders. Our concerns began and were articulated as a concern for others, still at remote distances. Now that the largest black habitation on the globe has joined the club of religious terror under the portentous name, Boko Haram – which means ‘The Book is Taboo’ - we can morally demand help from others, but we only find them drowning in the rhetoric and rites of anger and/or contrition. Today it is the heritage and humanity of Timbuktoo. And tomorrow? The African continent must take back Mali – not later but - right now. The cost of further delay will be incalculable, and devastating.

The spiral of reprisals now appears to have been launched, what with the recent news that a French editor has also entered the lists with a fresh album of offensive cartoons. To break that spiral, there must be dialogue of frank, mature minds. Instant, comprehensive solutions do not exist, only the arduous, painstaking path of dialogue, whose multi-textured demands are not beyond the innovative, as opposed to the emotive capacity, of cultured societies. So let that moving feast of regional dialogues – which was inaugurated by former President Khatami of Iran in these very chambers – be reinforced, emboldened, and even-handed. The destination should be a moratorium, but for this to be strong and enduring, it must be voluntary, based on a will to understanding and mental re-orientation, not on menace, self-righteous indictments and destructive emotionalism. Perhaps we may yet rescue Religion from its ultimate indictment: conscription into the ranks of provable enemies of Humanity.

Wole Soyinka
Sept. 21, 2012, United Nations Headquarters, New York.

http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/unifeed/2012/09/un-culture-of-peace/