₦airaland Forum

@Naijanile. u have said it all. OAU students can`t be good thinkers, dem just de follow, follow the corrupt SU leaders.

Politics is about winning votes, not about fighting and making enemies. As much as we want to hate IBB, the man still commands respect in the North, same as Ojukwu in the East, who is like a God to most Igbo`s, but hated in other parts of Nigeria. Awolowo is in that same category of Nigerian greats, loved in his region but hated by Ndigbo.  To win an election in Nigeria, I think it`s prudent to pay homage to these great Nigerians, especially when you want their peoples vote. Goodluck is a thinking man, my hat off to him.
Nigeria kwenu

@yamtas335, the most unexposed  Nigerians happen to be from the muslim north, where most kids are raised with no formal education, but only thought the Koran and are told, anything not allowed by Mohammed(PBUH) when he was alive over a thousand years ago, is still relevant in the modern era. 

If  over 60% of the population in Nigeria are illiterates, then u most agree that most of these illiterates most come from the region that denies millions of its youth access to basic education, but would rather force feed them Islamic dogma. Where do you think the most enlightened and educated Nigerians come from? Where do u think the most celebrated Nigerian writers, Soyinka and Achebe are from? Do u think they are from a muslim heritage? Travel round the World, the Nigerians u come across who are doing great things  are mostly from the South and are predominantly christians.

I do not mean to disrespect people from the muslim North, I only wish the Northern elite will do something to change the lives of these voiceless kids, instead of coming here to write poo.

The exposed ones will never vote for religious fanatics disguised as Nationalist.

@Mrs Chima, are u so thick? Comparing barren with broke, only says one thing, You don`t think before you talk. Broke doesn`t have to be permanent., while barren is. A broke person can become rich later in life, but a barren person stays sterile for ever. I hope you get it this time.

You must be evil if you think only well to do people should get married. I bet you are one of those regular church goers.

Violence, terror, and Islam:
A plea to abandon the cocoon

Mahfuzur Rahman


How does one, especially a Muslim, look at the increasing use of violence and terror, whether to defeat the infidel or to make better Muslims out of otherwise ordinary Muslims? "What went wrong?", a leading western scholar of Islam has asked in the title of his latest book and that question has probably been on many minds. One might even ask whether there is anything "wrong" at all. Among the Muslims themselves a systematic examination of such questions has, however, been rare. It is as if Muslim thinking has shelved itself in a cocoon, from which it is unable to extricate in order to have a better look at Islam in a changed world.

How have Muslims reacted to some of the most recent acts of terror and violence? In most cases, in must be acknowledged, the silence was deafening. Apart from official condolences and assurances that the culprits would be brought to book, few voices have been raised against atrocities committed on innocent non-Muslims and non-observant Muslims.

Newspapers have certainly not filled with protests. People have not demonstrated in the streets, either in the country where the violence was committed or elsewhere. Massive street demonstrations to protest oppression and injustice are a normal feature of the political landscape in most non-Arab Muslim countries.

How many people took to the street in protest in Pakistan, for example, when the Christian worshippers were gunned down or when Sunni fanatics butchered Shias or when Shia extremists murdered Sunnis? Or in Kashmir, when the three women were murdered?

This is not to suggest that nobody worries about the increasing incidence of violence. But the worry is strangely muted and, more importantly, couched in distinctly defensive terms. The dominant reaction to acts of violence by fellow religionists has been to point out that Islam does not approve of them.

It is enough to summarize here the arguments generally put forward. For that purpose I shall use below a newspaper article that I came across immediately after the Bali bombings, and a number of others that appeared since September 11, 2001. These are fairly typical and the arguments can be stated in general terms without attribution.

Islam was never a religion of violence and intolerance and therefore, so the argument went, the Bali bombing and other acts of terror were unIslamic and hence condemnable. The Prophet of Islam himself was a kind and compassionate man and was opposed to any unjustifiable violence. A number of ahadith have been cited to suggest how he abhorred violence and intolerance.

One hadith, for example, states: "He is not one of us who incites class prejudice or fights for class interest or die in its pursuit". In another he said: "Seek refuge from the curse of the oppressed ….for the portals of God are always open to the oppressed and innocent ones". Furthermore, "He who knowingly lends support to tyranny is outside the pale of Islam".

I am not sure that the ahadith cited are strong evidence of indictment of violence and terror in the present context, and those who cite them have probably not done a good job in scouring the relevant literature. But I shall leave it at that for the present and move on to the Qur’an. Among the verses of the Qur’an that have often been quoted to show that Islam does not condone violence are the following:

" Let there be no compulsion in religion "[Sura Baqara. (II.256). (Translation by Yusuf Ali in this and in the rest of the quotations from the Qur’an)]; " Those who believe (in the Qur’an) and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures) and the Christians and the Sabians….shall have their reward from their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve" [ ibid. II:62]; "Thus have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced…." [ ibid. II: 143]. In some translations the last citation is "We have made you a moderate sect", the emphasis here being on moderation. It can be argued that all of these statements can be interpreted in ways other than in defense of Islam as a religion of peace, but this need not detain us here.

In one of the latest writings (after Bali) I also found this quotation: " O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other" [Sura Hujurat. (XLIX: 13)]. Also cited as codes of modesty and decorum required of a Muslim: " When a (courteous) greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy" [ Sura Nisa. (IV:86)].

The idea behind the last citation is, of course, to suggest that a people who are required to be so polite cannot be expected to be violent or cruel at the same time.

Perhaps more immediately relevant to the issues of intolerance, the breeding ground of violence, is this verse: "To each among you have We prescribed a Law and an Open Way. If God had so willed, He would have made you a single People, but (His Plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues." [ Sura Maida. V: 48 ]. This has been seen as an affirmation of pluralism.

On the other hand, Muslims whose acts of violence the above quotations are meant to decry can come up with an array of quotations from the Qur’an and hadith as well as instances from Islam’s history to bolster their point of view. They could, for example, cite the following from the Qur’an: "….fight and slay the Pagans whenever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)" [Sura Tauba. (IX:5)].

There is, in the same verse, advice to relent but only if the adversary becomes true Muslims, " if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity…." . A comparable verse is: " Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued" [Sura Tauba ( IX:29)]. It is easy to bring in more quotations in the same vein but this is unnecessary. This also ends my reference to recent writings.

The history of mankind is spattered with blood and religious wars have been among the bloodiest. The wars among Catholics and Protestants in Europe and the Inquisitions stand out in the history of man’s cruelty to man for the sake of his soul. Islam’s history was no exception. And, again, those who wish to find support for their cult of cruelty can find a great deal of it in history. That history, for example, tells the story of the massacre of the entire male population of Banu Quraiza believed to number between 600 and 700, soon after the Battle of the Trench in the year 627 AD/ 5 AH.

There have been differences of opinion on the circumstances of the massacre, but the magnitude of the blood bath has never been in question. The enormity of the massacre was such that some Islamic commentators have found it necessary to point out that it was done according to Jewish law. This is a reference, specifically, to Moses’ command to his people in the Old Testament: "And when the LORD thy God hath delivered [the besieged city] into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword.[ Deuteronomy:20:13 ]

Those who are willing to murder for religion can also find sustenance in what I believe to be the first assassination in Islamic history. The Jewish poet Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf , of the tribe Banu Nadir, was a sworn enemy of Islam and was writing slanderous poems about the religion and its prophet. He soon become insufferable to the Muslims and a group of assassins, led by Muhammad b. Maslama, and with the express blessing of the Prophet (SM), tricked him out of his house at night and murdered him. Ibn Ishaq ( d. 622 AD/ 151AH.) the Arab historian, describes the assassination in gory detail.[ Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah, English translation entitled The Life of Muhammad by A. Guillaume. Oxford University Press, Karachi. 1967.p.368.] The Sahih Al-Bukhari [ Sahih Al-Bukhari, Translated by Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Darussalam Publishers, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Vol. 5. 1997. pp. 221-223] fully confirms the story.

A Muslim who does not condone violence would of course point out that Arab society, both Pagan or Jewish, in the early days of Islam was a violent one and that certain events and Qur’anic statements should be judged in their historical context. That violence is easy to illustrate, and some of that were meted out to the Muslims in the early days of Islam. For example, the Prophet (SM) had sent a group of six Muslims to some Bedouin tribes of Najd, at the latter’s request, to instruct them in practices of Islam. All of them were brutally killed. Two of them were sold to the Quraish in Mecca and were killed by crucifixion, a practice not considered unusual in those days.

This, however, is unlikely to sway those who see themselves as custodians of ‘true’ Islam which to them is unvarying and eternal, and to whom there is no ‘historical context’ to necessary cruelty. They would only point out that the six murdered Muslims were among the early martyrs of Islam and would commend them. And they could claim to be able to reel off from history a whole series of events and actions, which are cruel only to the infidels and today’s Muslim bleeding hearts who do not want true Islam established. They could, for example, cite the following punishment meted out by the Prophet (SM) himself as an example of legitimate cruelty:

A group of people from out of Medina lived in the city for sometime and then expressed their desire to return home. The Prophet (SM) provided them a shepherd on their return journey. At one point these ungrateful people killed the shepherd. According to the Sahih Al-Bukhari, "When the news reached the Prophet (SM), he sent some people in their pursuit. When they were brought, he cut their hands and feet and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron". [ibid. Vol.7. p.329]

It is impossible for two opposing points of view of Islam -- one that sees only peace, harmony, and humanity in Islam and the other that legitimate violence and even cruelty -- both to be right. This also makes it impossible to take a dispassionate look at violence that uses religion as its springboard through the lens of religion itself. Religion, or rather its standard bearers, when it sought peace in its dealings with people of other faith, has done so only on its own terms. Islam, the newest of the great monotheist religions was no exception.

Some of the quotations from the Qur’an given above illustrate this. To attempt to examine the violence we have been talking about from an ‘Islamic’ viewpoint alone would be to entangle oneself in the cocoon I alluded to above. Muslims who protest against violence, cruelty and terror and believe in non-violence would do far better to look at these issues through other lenses as well.

It is all too easy to forget that, in large parts of the world, society is more humane and tolerant today than it was only a couple of hundred years ago, and that this had little to do with religion. Neither is formal religion the only or even the main fountain of morality and human decency. The abolition of slavery was brought about by voices of protest that drew their strength from liberal thinking, as well as by changing economic necessity. Formal religion never called for its abolition.

The Quakers had a role in the abolition of the institution, but they were themselves persecuted by mainstream Christianity, which was more concerned with the soul of the slave than with his status. While Islam has called for treating slaves humanely and in some cases encouraged freeing them, the abolition of the system was never the idea. It certainly was no sin, either in Christianity or in Islam, to own slaves, and the institution flourished throughout the ascendancy of both religions.

Back in Bengal, to two great Bengalis belong the credit for the abolition of the suttee and the introduction of laws that allowed young Hindu widows to marry. Both of them held unorthodox religious views. In fact, both Raja Ram Mohun Roy and Ishvar Chandra Vidyasagar had to fight the bigotry of their co-religionists to bring about the two great reforms in eighteenth century Bengal. In both men their religion paled beside their humanism.

It is through the lens of what is broadly called secular humanism that Muslims who are against violence and terror waged in the name religion has to look at the world and the place of Islam in it. Not incidentally, this is also the most effective way one can stand up to bigotry that undoubtedly exists among people of other faiths as well. Secular humanism might mean somewhat different things to different people but its broad features are too well known to need elaboration here. It suffices for me to conclude by illustrating what it is not.

In the month of Ramadan last year, I read a brief article in a premier newspaper in New York. It was written by a young Muslim woman, an immigrant brought up in America, and an ardent new lover of Islamic ideals. Dwelling on the beauty of fasting, she pointed out that giving in charity was its most glorious complement. And she went on to narrate how moved she was by the idea, put to her by an Islamic charity foundation, that only a modest donation could feed a Muslim family in Bosnia for a month. The idea that there were, in that same holy month, millions of other hungry human beings around the world, but who happened not to belong to her faith, probably never crossed her mind. That was NOT secular humanism.





The article, written some six weeks ago, was originally meant for the print media and was sent to a leading English daily newspaper in Dhaka to which I occasionally contribute. It was not published for reasons not made known to me. Past experience tells me, however, that any writing that even remotely looks ‘critical’ of Islam stands little chance of acceptance in the print media in our society. ]

So much for our freedom of thought! It saddens me to publish an article on a particular strain of violence, just as the violence of a war rages. I almost wish I had published this article in quieter times. But the issues raised here remain valid even as a war is being waged and will not go away after it is over. ( Author )


Author Mahfuzur Rahman is a former United Nations official.




http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/Mahfuzur30411.htm

@Kobojunke, no one is beaten in the West for not cleaning up their homes, u must be living in some kind of make belief World, if u think that`s how they keep their environment clean. Have u never seen cleaners in the West employed by local governments to keep the streets clean? Maybe u need to open your eyes and see our modern cities keep their environment clean. I live next to a street market that takes place every day of the week, when it closes for the day, paid cleaners and their garbage trucks come in and clean the street to get it ready for the next day. This is the system that was needed, not beating people to do what should have been the responsibility of the government. 

Did Buhari tackle the problem of no water, no electricity, bad transportation system, bad tele communication system, bad schools, police brutality, unemployment and the many problems Nigeria was facing at the time and still facing today? Did the beating and killing of poor Nigerians by the Buhari Govt solve all these problems?  These are the issues we should be looking at, miss Kobo.

http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66958:aguiyi-ironsi-killed-true-federalism-in-nigeria-says-ishola-williams-&catid=43:news&Itemid=799


CHAIRMAN of Transparency International and Executive Secretary, Pan-African Strategic abd Police Research Group (PANAFSTRAG), Maj-Gen. Ishola Williams (rtd) has blamed the first military Head of State, the late Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, for lack of true federalism in the polity, saying his junta’s incursion into governance eroded people-centred political system.

Williams made the comment yesterday at the 11th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, themed: Nigeria at 50: Its Leadership, Development and Future, held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

He said the promulgation of Decree No. 1 of 1966 by the Ironsi-led regime was unnecessary and uncalled for, saying the military did not have any excuse for taking over the rein of government at that time.

Williams said that after the killing of Sir Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Okotie Eboh and others by the Kaduna Nzeogu insurgents, the most honourable thing for the military at that time to remedy the situation was to have handed over power to Mallam Bukar Dipcharima as the acting Prime Minister who, according to him, would have been supported by the military to conduct a credible election.

His words: “We adopted rather than adapted the political and socio-economic systems of the West to our history, culture and traditional governance. We started with federalism on the foundation of people-centered political system, but long period of military intervention led to the distortion of our political system and public sector governance.

“The Ironsi-led administration did not have business in government at the time he took over the government. He should have helped to improve the federalism by allowing the most senior politician to take over and conduct a credible election, thereafter.”

Nigeria’s Almajiri children learning a life of poverty and violence
January 14, 2010 by leeh

Street children in Maiduguri, Nigeria
One of the main directions of our work in Maiduguri, Nigeria is to help the street children of this large city learn skills that will enable them to no longer have to beg for their existence. In August of last year we shared the success stories of some of the your people we have help.

Below is an artice written by a CNN correspondent concerning the way these children. Locally they are called Almajiri.

http://hopespringsblog./2010/01/14/nigerias-almajiri-children-learning-a-life-of-poverty-and-violence/

@Saidsalla,  "This kind of showin hatre towards Islam and Muslims,we dont get suprised because,ALLAH told us that,we will be experiencin such things from others"

U don`t need any Iman or a prophet to tell u about hate, hatred is a natural and common human feeling. Before Islam or any other man made religion, human beings have been dealing with hate, it`s just a fact of life.  Hate comes when people have a strong disagreement.

@Amadi1, I must have touched a nerve, I am sorry for upsetting u, that was not my intention. Getting back to the issue, your reaction proves me right. Islam breeds intolerance and encourages violence based on the Koran and the hadith. If what am saying is wrong or sinful, let Allah be the Judge not u or any man. If u believe in God, then let him do his job, he doesn`t need u to do it for him.

I ask again, how did Usman Danfodio spread Islam in Nigeria and Can u explain the Koran verses of the sword? Did the messenger of Allah not personally lead more than 60 armed raids on unbelievers, where the loot from the raids were shared. 1/5 for the messenger and the rest for for his soldiers.
"Let there be no compulsion in religion; truth stands out clear from error" (Sura 2.256). this was before Mohammed had a strong army

"Slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them, and confine them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush" (Sura 9.5). "Fight those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden -- such men as practice not the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book [i.e. Jews and Christians] -- until they pay the tribute out of hand and have been humbled." (Sura 9.29)These "verses of the sword" abrogates 2.256, since they were revealed later, when he had a much stronger army. I can quote more violent verses but what will be the point when I know it`s like talking to a brick wall.

No need to Insult or call me names, I am sure u can debate issues without resulting to that low human denominator.
I await ur response.

@Beta Thing,
What do i want? Well for starters I think the Islamic World as to face up to the fact that their are verses in the Koran that encourages violence against non believers. Secondly, to be honest about it`s history and culture of violence, starting from the days of Mohamed(pbuh)

U claim there is extremism in both Islam and Christianity, fair enough, can u list anywhere in the World, besides Northern Ireland and Uganda, where these so called Christian Extremist are killing people in the name of religion. I can easily come up with over 20 countries in the World where Muslims are killing in the name of Islam.

I am not here to defend Christianity over Islam, I am a product of both religions. All I know is the fact that the World is under attack from Muslim jihadist who are bent on establishing Islamic rule on all of man kind, as Prophesied by Mo hammed(pbuh) and the so called moderates are always telling us it`s just a few fanatics, yet we never see them protest against it.

Your American example is flawed. America went to war in Iraq to get rid of a dictator who had earlier invaded and occupied a fellow Muslim country. And to establish the rule of law which is the dividend of democracy. The war was never about imposing Christianity or attacking it for being a Muslim state. The same way it went to war against Serbia a fellow christian country to defend the rights of Bosnian Muslims. But sadly u only see World events from the view point of believers and non believers.

Do u think it`s nice to deny women education, stone them to death for adultery, make them cover every part of their body in extreme hot weather, prevent them from walking out on the streets unless accompanied by a male member of the family? Maybe u like the amputation and endless beheading that was being done in the name of Islam. The list of injustice that was being committed by the Taliban on it`s citizens before the American invasion is endless but people like u don`t see those things because they are your Muslim brothers. But once America went there to get rid of one of the most repressive regimes in modern times, Religious Zombies and their so called silent majority(moderates) start shouting, war against Muslims. Where were u and the so called moderate Muslims when the Taliban were in power and committing all these inhumane acts against it`s people?

If u want to go by history start with the life of Jesus Christ and Mo hammed, both are the two examples members of both faith aspire to be like. While Jesus never fought a single war in his life, Mo hammed on the other hand personally was in involved in more than 60 wars and raids, where slaves and treasures were taken from the defeated and shared amongst him and  his followers. One/ fifth of the loot was for Allah and his messenger and the rest to be shared by his fighters. Read the Hadith, if in doubt.

I asked, how did Usman Danfodio spread Islam in North and western Nigeria? Have u ever had of Koran verses of the sword?

Brov, only the truth will set u free.

@auwal87, u obviously don`t know much about Islamic history and present day World affairs. Talk is cheap, action speaks louder than words. If Islam was truly a religion of peace we wouldn`t have Muslims from all the four corners of the World killing and bombing innocent people, for Allah and his messenger. Islam was founded on violence and it`s followers have carried on the tradition. Tell me, how did Usman Danfodio spread Islam in Nigeria? How many raids and wars did Mohamed(PBUH) personally waged on the unbelievers? Read the hadith and Koran with an open mind and u will see that it`s filled with nothing but violence and vengeance. Islam is called imole in Yoruba, meaning forced knowledge.

This is not the time to judge or praise Ojukwu but a time to show human compassion to a fellow human being.  
I wish the Ikembe a speedy recovery but god knows best.

@Eziachi
I didn`t know the starvation was because the federal forces "rounded up all Igbo children and women and systematically starved them" I thought the starvation was because the area controlled by Biafran soldiers didn`t have enough food to feed both soldiers and the vulnerable and the generals made the choice to starve the vulnerable instead of the soldiers, or surrender so as to allow food in. I wonder where u get your distorted knowledge of history from.

The issue isn`t about why America bombed Japan, it`s the fact that Japan surrendered to prevent anymore death of it`s citezens. They too could have carried on fighting until many millions were killed and then years later scream genocide. I hope u get the drift.

Europe invaded both Africa and the America`s, while the African realised they where no march for the Europeans and quickly negotiated a settlement, the American Indians carried on fighting until they were almost extinct. One as to know when to fight and when to negotiate.

On a good note the Igbo`s have done well for themselves since the war and deservedly so.

RIP Pa Enahoro

@Eziachi, all u have done is call names but u refuse to see a valid point. Please address the issue, instead of insulting those that disagree with u.

The Abacha scenario is completely off mark, it doesn`t fit the cap.
If Yoruba leaders went to war against the rest of Nigeria, when the rest of the World was against it, I would think that was silly. If during the war the Yoruba's couldn`t feed themselves and the leaders continued fighting, to the point where the young and vulnerable of the Yoruba race starved to death, I would think that was criminal and would want those leaders tried for murder. Due to their negligence.  .

If our African ancestors had continued fighting the Europeans with bows and arrows against their machine guns, instead of negotiating a peace treaty, you wouldn`t be around today to write your thoughtless gibberish. Their is a place and time for everything.

RIP Pa Enahoro

@onlytruth, mistakes are allowed, it`s no reason to call names. Please let`s be civil. Yes the Emperor didn`t commit suicide but he did order the surrender of Japan during the second WW, to prevent the loss of anymore Japan lives after the drop of the atomic bomb. This was my main point. Ojuwku too could have surrendered, especially when he knew there was no food to feed the young and vulnerable. This stubbornness led to starvation. The man as blood on his hands.

By the way it wasn`t your so called Yoruba`s that started the Biafra/Ojuwku obsession on this thread, Mr ethnic champion.

RIP Pa Enahoro

@Rabzy, thanks 4 ur post, I couldn`t have put it any better. We are all to blame, from north to south and east to west.
Thanks again.

@ CHOSENO4 AND UDEZUE,
Extreme bitterness can block reason. I believe u guys are too bitter to be objective when talking about the pain of Biafra. The food blockade was not used to starve children but as a tool to stop Biafran leaders from fighting, so as to prevent the loss of more lives. If these leaders had stopped fighting when they ran out of food no child would have starved to death. But instead of stopping, they decided the best way was to carry on fighting while the young and vulnerable starved to death.

When America dropped the atomic bomb on Japan and over 200,000 people were burnt to death, this made Japan surrender and the leader that took them to war did the honerable thing by committing suicide. This brave act by the Japanese Emperor  prevented the death of many more innocent lives. Japan too could have carried on figting like Ojukwu did, until millions more were killed.

Ojukwu should have done the honorable thing like the Emperor to save the innocent, but instead he chose to carry on fighting at the expense of starving Ndiigbo children and then ran away to save himself when the net was closing in on him. If anyone is to blame, please blame Ojukwu. We have to start taking responsibility 4 our actions.

RIP Pa Enahoro

@Lalilove,
I also ask the same question, why are some people just so ungrateful. I have always wondered if there is a word for thank you in Somali. The Kenyan people and government have opened their border to allow your people escape from the hell hole which Somali as been turned into, by your retrogressive clan culture, since the fall of Barre. But instead of you to say thank you to them, u have the audacity to say you are doing them a favour. Who is doing who a favour or being ungrateful here?

I remember when America tried to help with food supply during the days of Gen Aidid but instead of Somalians showing appreciation, no, they instead attacked the Americans for coming to help them. Today we have Somalians all over Europe, America, Australia and some African countries who have run away from the same culture that as turned their country into hell on earth, but instead of learning to integrate and be part of these societies that as shown them mercy and kindness, no they go back to their old age culture of intolerance, drug abuse and religious dogma.  Why u refuse to accept or respect the culture of the host country that as shown nothing but love to u, is beyond me.

The word "thanks" is one of the most important word in the English language and indeed in many around the World, I think it`s about time u learn to use it.

Your society needs more brave women like Ayaan Hirsi Ali, in your desert of ignorance she is the oasis of light.

Watch abuse in the name of religion.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpqUfCp2sH0

@MissEast,
abayo, u are right Somalian men will not go around talking about how wonderful Nigerian women are.  They can`t, the retrogressive influence of  a stagnant culture and dogma, makes it haram. How can they, with these limitations, understand or appreciate the beauty of the Nigerian woman or the rainbow of beauty spread around the Globe? Unlike the Somali man, a Naija man is a rainbow lover, he appreciates and loves the beauty in all of god`s children. In affairs of the heart, he doesn`t discriminate. we date from all race, creed and religion. We are not held back by that old age customs and  traditions that glorifies aparthied. 

If u stay on Nairaland long enough, u will see that Nigerian men admire Women from all corners of the globe, today the post might be about how wonderful looking Somali women are, the next time it could be Kazak women and if u go back in time u will come across many other post talking about how nice, girls from so many other African countries are. We just love our African queens, regardless of ethnicity.

The more cultures a society has assimilated into itself, the richer it becomes. A better World if we leave the clan mentality and embrace the human race.

Leave tpia alone, she is public enemy no 1 on nairaland. If u get entangled in her culture of abuse u might end up offending innocent Nigerians.

Towards a new enlightenment

Leo Igwe


THE Enlightenment stands for the intellectual trends in 18th Century Europe that espoused the use of reason and science as a universal method for obtaining knowledge and solving human problems. The Enlightenment writers argued that the light of reason and science could free humanity from the darkness of ignorance, the burden of false beliefs, and the destructive influence of prejudices and superstition. They believed in liberty, equality, secular society, democracy and in the potential of education, science and technology transforming the human condition - reducing poverty, misery and diseases.

The Enlightenment intellectuals emphasised universal ethical norms that transcend the narrow confines of race, colour, sex, religion, ethnicity, nationality and birth status. The values of the Enlightenment illumined Europe and brought the Western World tremendous progress and advancement. The Enlightenment inspired the democratic, scientific and technological revolutions at the root of contemporary western civilisation and development.

So, for Europe, the 18th Century "Age of Light" was a true Enlightenment. But for Africa, it was not. Because, while Europe was glowing with the light of reason and science, Africa was groaning under the burden of European slavery, tyranny and imperialism. It could be rightly said that the European Enlightenment caused darkness in Africa. It dislodged Christian theocracy and expelled to the black continent the forces of unreason and superstition.

European Christian Missionaries invaded Africa in search of "believers" in what they self-styled a civilising mission "La mission civilatrice". And European merchants thronged the continent in search of raw material to feed the industrial revolution. In actual fact, what Europe rejected and abandoned to get 'enlightened' was forced and foisted on Africans as a civilising or enlightening matrix.

As if that was not enough, as Christian crusaders were ravaging the continent, Arab jihadists were fighting, raiding, enslaving and killing their way to enlighten Africans on the basis of Islam and the Arab culture.

So, in the past Centuries, the black continent has been plagued by the false "alien" Enlightening Missions of Christianity and Islam. Africa has been the clash point and the flash point of these Dark Age forces and mentalities. These militant, racist and fanatical creeds exploit women, sanctify ignorance and sacrifice human welfare and happiness in pursuance of the will of mythical gods and their earthly instruments.

The real tragedy is not that Europeans and Arabs infiltrated and darkened the continent with their cultural myths and superstitions. After all, Africa has its own traditional myths and taboos, which have also undermined the process of African enlightenment and emancipation. But that Africans have at the end of the day - blindly embraced these alien dogmas and misconceptions at the expense of social peace, intellectual growth, moral progress, truth and originality.

Today, most Africans want to order their lives and organise their societies based on Christian and Islamic norms, not on the basis of human rights, human values, rational thoughts and common senical knowledge. And this had led to a lot of confusion, stagnation, division and conflict. For two decades, the Islamic government in Khartoum waged a vicious war on the Christians and animists in the South who rejected Sharia law. And the crisis in Darfur has lingered partly because the Sudanese government, which claims to have divine mandate from Allah, has refused to make necessary concessions. In Algeria, Islamic Militants massacred over a hundred thousand people in protest over the cancellation of an election, which an Islamic party was set to win. As to what would have been the fate of Algeria if that electoral victory was upheld, your guess is as good as mine.

In Egypt, Islamic armies have been terrorising the country in their quest to impose an Islamic social order. And Somalia, in the Horn of Africa, has been without a central government for fifteen years due to clan and sectarian fighting for the control of the state by Islamic militants and warlords. In Uganda, Joseph Kono, and his Lord's Resistance Army have been fighting to remove the government of Yoweri Museveni and enthrone a government based on the Ten Commandments.

In Nigeria, thousands of people have lost their lives to religious riots, and clashes since independence. Muslim fundamentalists have foisted Sharia law on the Islamic majority states in the North. Throughout the continent, religious fanatics are prosecuting an inquisition. They oppose the legalisaion of abortion and gay marriage, the abolition of the death penalty, female genital mutilation, child marriage and homophobia.

All these are clear pointers to the fact that the African continent is in a Dark Age. So, early in this 21st Century, Africa is in dire need of a New Enlightenment - which is a rediscovery of the ideals of the old Enlightenment but this time with a global emphasis and application. The New Enlightenment entails the promotion of universal ethical norms, universal education, universal human right and the secularisation and humanisation of all societies.

We need to critically examine religious creeds and dogmas and challenge their totalitarian and intolerant tendencies. We need to promote free thought, freedom of expression, search for truth and educational reform. We need to combat superstition and irrationalism.

The New Enlightenment project requires that no race or region be left out. That no place or people the left in the dark. And that the entire human race glow and be aglow with the illuminating matrices of reason, science, critical thinking and free inquiry. I am deeply persuaded that it is only on the basis of the New Enlightenment that Africa can experience a genuine renaissance and realise a civilisation with a global dimension.

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About the author: Leo Igwe is director of the Centre for Inquiry in Nigeria. He can be reached at nskepticleo@yahoo.com.

@mikeansy, u are are right about one thing, Jonathan Goodluck isn`t a messiah, he will not solve all our problems, but what he will do is bring a sense of justice to that region, the goose  that lays the golden egg, which feeds Nigeria.


" the reason no one in the South is even challenging Jonathan, is because they recognise the justice of allowing the Niger Delta, who gave so much of the wealth of this country to taste the leadership of this country. When will the Oligarchs of the Core Muslim North be willing and able to show that sympathy to the Niger Delta people?

I recognise the sheer justice of allowing those who have given so much to taste a bit of the power of the wealth they have given. That honour and sympathy for the Niger Delta peopole is more profound than any zoning agreements signed by Oligarchs without the ratification of the entire PDP"

by Agha Egwu

Kantie Stone - You Dont Understand Democracy

Submitted by Agha Egwu (not verified) on November 23, 2010 - 00:31.
Kantie Stone in your comment "Northern Nigeria is the Greatest Part of Nigeria!" you really demonstrated proof of what I have suspected for a long time - that many Muslim Core Northerners may not fully understand democracy. I use the term "Muslim Core Northerners" to differentiate it from the Christian Middle Belters who no longer see themselves as part of the "North".

What has just happened in selecting Atiku by consensus is called an Oligarchy, Rule by a few elites with common inteterest, to impose their will on the people. It can only happen in a docile Muslim Core North where the talakawa just accept the judgement of their aristocracy. It is the civilisation of the Middle Ages when Barons made up the parliament of England, and a few men chose the King whenever there is a succession problem. What you describe and eulogise with so much enthusiasm, merely reflects that the Muslim Core North is still caught up in a Feudalistic, oligarchic, aristocratic time warp from the middle ages and not 21st Century democratic reality.

Real Democracy is having as many people as possible compete, and allowing the people to choose, not a few aristocrats. In England some constituencies for parliament are contested for by more than 20 parties - including crazy parties like the Monster Raving Loony Party - and trusting the peopole to decide. Does it mean that the British are backward? In England and America, the mothers of democracy, the very idea of a group of old men deciding the candidate would be pure anathema.

The Muslim Core North's idea of Consensus, dominates the PDP and is killing our democracy. Is the South wise by only fielding Jonathan? Is that not your definition of greatness? In that have they not demonstrated greater greatness by fielding a single candidate before the Core Muslim North? - if to judge by your standard.

But the reason no one in the South is even challenging Jonathan, is because they recognise the justice of allowing the Niger Delta, who gave so much of the wealth of this country to taste the leadership of this country. When will the Oligarchs of the Core Muslim North be willing and able to show that sympathy to the Niger Delta people?

Mark my words, even though the Ijaws betrayed the Ibos during the Civil War and still abuse us till today, I recognise the sheer justice of allowing those who have given so much to taste a bit of the power of the wealth they have given. That honour and sympathy for the Niger Delta peopole is more profound than any zoning agreements signed by Oligarchs without the ratification of the entire PDP. We are in a democracy, not an Oligarchy.

Furthermore, your comments reveal a deep and troubling tribalism and I daresay, sectional narrowness.

reply


article from Sharaa reporters
http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/atiku-picked-northern-candidate-babangida-loses-northern-pdp-race

Arsenal and Chelsea are two opposing ends, there is no comparison. Arsene Wenger runs a racist regime, for so many years he as being getting African/black players on the cheap, without ever employing one single black coaching staff. All members of Arsenal coaching staff are white. Chelsea also bring in alot of black/African players, but unlike Arsenal, they pay alot for them and pay them very high wages. They also have a black assistant coach who happens to be African, something Arsene Wenger as not being able to do in almost 20yrs of exploiting black players. Not even one token black coach.

Chelsea is the future. Arsenal is the past, just like the colonisation of Africa.

@2good, Thanks for such a lovely story, another prove that anybody can rise up from the pits, that is the spirit of Nigeria, especially in the south. I once fell for a girl selling stuff on the street in VI, but rather unfortunately she declined my offer, to take her out on a date, saying Yoruba men always marry more than one wife. My first Nigerian experience of ethnic bigotry.

@timascious, have u posted the pictures of the police officers u took, collecting money, anywhere on the web? By exposing corrupt officials with such hard evidence we can bring about change.

@Rethink, If my home town people should go on a rampage and start killing innocent and defenseless Igbos or Hausa's, I will expect my king to come out and condemn the killings in the strongest term and I would also expect him to do everything humanly possible to protect them and prevent such occurrences from ever happening again, that is what good leadership is all about. If the people of Benin should go on similar vindictive and barbaric slaughter of Hausa's and Yoruba`s, I would also expect the Oba of Benin to condemn it and do everything possible to protect them.
The Niger delter issue doesn`t fit into the this discussion. What we are talking about here is ethnic cleansing and possible genocide of an ethnic group. Niger Delter militants are recognised by most fair minded people around the World as freedom fighters hence the reason Musa Yaradua signed an Amnesty with them.

The North suffers more from the injustice of Nigeria than the average Southerner, it as the highest number of child beggars estimated to be over 10 million, the illiteracy rate is second to non and the number of destitute of northern extract dwarfs the number of poor southerners.

My question to Sanusi is Since independence over 50yrs ago, what have the Emirs, governors and past presidents of Northern extraction done to correct the  education deficit of the Muslim North which he attributed to British rule of over 50yrs ago? What as he personally done as part of the Northern ruling class to promote education in the North, what is he doing to change the almajiri educational system of the North where children as young as five are sent to  Islamic schools to learn nothing but the Koran and that is usuall the only education they will ever get unless they are from the ruling class like sanusi. Western Education in the North is only for the privileged few.

Talking of unity, where were the Northern elite like himself when innocent Igbos were being slaughtered in the north, where was he and his fellow N ruling class when southerners were being killed.  Y have we not heard or seen any of these Northern elite do anything to stop these periodic killings since the 60s.  

Mallam Sanusi is an apologist for the Northern ruling class of which he is a beneficiary, he doesn`t care for our  poor oppressed Northern brothers, who have been brutalised by their own Northern leaders and ridiculed by their brothers down south. Sanusi is part of the same old Northern ruling class that have not only failed to make life better  for the average northerner, but also failed to move Nigeria forward.

It`s about time we stop picking on the average Northerner, but rather embrace them and make them a part of the Nigerian struggle for justice and fairness.

A country of religious zombies and make believe. We are still looking for that Miracle while the rest of the World is busy seeking knowledge through science and technology.  It`s no surprise we are where we are , underdeveloped minds.

BBC news video Clip of Tafabalewa speaking with an English accent.

http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/main-square/57641-abubakar-tafawa-balewa-london-after-nigeria-declares-its-independence-video.html