By Jamiu Alonge
It is quite unfortunate that Nigerians have not really learnt their lessons. Majority have utterly refused to understand that the common wealth called Nigeria belongs to all of us and we are stakeholders regardless of our positions and personal wealth.

The system which only adopts the brutes’ techniques of suppressing the perceived weak is striving to be destroyed by its strengths. Christian ‘powerful’ leaders have come out to condemn Islamic Banking clearly for some parochial reasons and making some unacceptable requests except a few of them who refuse to stoop that low.

Some ‘Muslim leaders’ from the north have also declared that the banking system will be exclusive reserve of the north implying there are no Muslims in the south or values of Islam not extendable to other people other than northerners. Who among the agitators and reactors follow the tenets of their religions?

Outrageous interest

The Islamic (zero interest) Banking to me as a Muslim is a Qur’anic provision of ease for mankind particularly the poor against wicked interest money system which only exploit the people particularly the poor. The western financial institutions as it is today in Nigeria and all over the world can afford doing nothing creative with people’s money and staffs live in enviable luxuries because of the outrageous interest imposed on the helpless masses (customers).

However, Islamic Banking is one of the various values in Islam and one of the proofs of truth of Islam which must be enjoyed across the world. Allah says to Muhammad ‘we have not sent you (oh Muhammad) except to whole world’

All the people agitating against the introduction of Islamic Banking in Nigeria are most likely leaders in some rights that do not truly care for the poor followers they control.

They are only interested in the fixed percentage of the salaries the unsuspecting followers contribute periodically into the organization’s coffers and they want that to operate everywhere; or they are religious bigots who think a particular religious belief should be suppressed, blackmailed and oppressed; or they want to instigate needless and overwhelming strive in the polity to break our nation into pieces and subsequently tag Muslims negatively.

If not, I do not know why they are agitating against the masses focussed Islamic banking or call it another name other than that of the concept source. Have they forgotten that they brought many things into the country some of which even affected the Muslims adversely and no one agitated against their establishments.

The highest thing the people did was to first avoid them and later mobilize the Ummah’s meagre resources to organize similar things. Examples include missionary schools, religious camps, church universities, Estates exclusively for church members and so on and so forth. Had the Muslims started challenging them or call those Christianization of Nigeria, would they not have again called the Muslims extremists and militants? What would they call themselves now?

Clearly now, it is known that any very bad thing such as suicide bombing by irate, condemnable and disgruntled persons, they are quick to call it Islamic Militancy, but when their people do same heinous things, it is suppressed and any good thing from Islam they want to change the name not to reflect Islam. Where are we going or where will that hypocrisy take us to?

It is important to remind our brothers in Christianity to emulate Christ and allow peace to reign. We are all stakeholders and no one should aspire to oppress others and remain at ease. We have got our right to practice out religion, do our business as others do if we do not infringe on other people’s rights.

Islamic Banking is the banking system with root from qur’an which forbids usury (interest lending or borrowing) in totality and emphatically recommends trade and industry.

The holy Qur’an because usury will do no one any good but further subject the poor into further frustration. The Qur’an says Allah wants for us ease not difficulties (The holy Qur’an)Trade and industry which are the strong points of Islamic Banking bring about true development and improved standards of living.

Islamic Banking must be accepted in Nigeria and not renamed because it is in people’s interest and it is from Islam. Anyone who does not want it may not patronize it or initiate their own. Learn from Muslims’ reactions to missionary schools, religious camp and Christian Estates etc.

I believe what we pursue must not present or put us in the way we begin to challenge progressive efforts by rival religious affiliations. Our leaders from the north should realign their actions and thoughts to conform to true Islamic standard. Islam is universal religion and not family property of any person, group, clan or tribe.

Be fair enough to always think about Muslims in other places not just your tribe, be patient enough to allow Islam achieve her goal of adding values in the world regardless of where and who.  Islam is more than tribal politicking.

‘And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who are weak, are ill_treated (and oppressed)? Men, women and children whose cry is ‘ Our Lord rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from Thee One  who will help’  Q4:75