By Ishola Balogun

IN the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. The need has come to tackle the issue of terrorism with all the strength and might of government since it is the duty of government to protect the lives and property of its citizenry.

The security of man and woman irrespective of religious, tribal and social sentiment is a fundamental responsibility of the government and it must pull all stops to ensure that people live without fear of harassment.

It is unfortunate that fanatical Muslims (we are made to believe so) do one evil or the other in the name of Islam. The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar has said it, they are not Muslims. But we will continue to say it loud and clear that these people do not represent Islam, neither do their gruesome acts express the ordinance of Allah or betoken the practice of Prophet Muhammad or better still the agreement of most Muslims in a given society.

These actions could be either politically motivated or to pursue ulterior motives of individuals or group. Fortunately, the Qur’an is one and no verse of it encourages killing of fellow human being and destruction of properties for admittance into paradise.

The interpretation of the verse(s) which non Muslims are quick to quote is basically for defence justified by the circumstances which the verse was revealed and situation of earliest Muslims at that time. when the infidels struck to attack the Muslims in an attempt to wipe out Islam. But today, it has been so misinterpreted to suit the interest of the interpreter.

The point is that anyone that goes about killing in the name of God does that for his selfish interest and not of the religion. It is an ideologue which cannot be made to bear on the faith that discourages it. Several evidences abound that pontificate ‘no compulsion’ in religion. In fact no religion accepts that. As I was writing this peice, I recieved news of the arrest of one Emmanuel Ekan for attempting to bomb a Church in Yenagoa.

The suspect who was described as an ex-convict was found with some grenades in his bag. Report says he was stopped by vigilant Church members and handed over to the SSS. If the suspect had succeeded, who would have believed it was not done by a fanatical Muslim.

It is a pointer to the fact that there is more to the spate of bombing of places of worship in the country. It is a challenge for the government and the security operatives to unearth and uncover those who are behind these acts before some people draw illogical conclusion that it is a religious war or on some sects of people.

In spite of all the condemnation and comments by Muslims scholars in the country and world over on the attacks allegedly said to have been launched by Muslims or groups, people still adduce their subjective notions about Islam as

Sultan of Sokoto and President Jonathan

being supportive of terrorism, irrespective of the obvious teachings of Islam that preaches peace and encourage peaceful co-existence. The matter is made worse by the group (Boko Haram) which many people see as a Islamic sect.

Muslims scholars in the country have continued to condemn the insurgence of Boko Haram in the country. Sermon, lectures and papers have been delivered and published in the media to elucidate on the position of Islam against terrorism, yet subjective approximations and opinions abound.

Islam has prohibited everything that may pose threat to social harmony, cause breach of peace or may endanger peace and security of the citizenry. Islamic laws stand for maintenance of peace and prevention of riots and disturbances. Islam strives for elimination of oppression, rioting or anything which adversely affects the culture and civilization of a country. Terrorism ruptures social peace and Islam forbids it.

It desires peace, tranquillity and social harmony. Acts of terrorism destroy the moral principles, meant for the welfare of human beings. That is a crime against humanity and God and has no place in a religion like Islam. Any group or individual who hold different position cannot be said to represent Islam. Chikena!

Several attacks have been carried out in recent time, yet government has not been able to uncover the perpetrators. It will be interesting to know those who are behind these devilish acts.

Any terrorist activity, which targets innocent persons, is against the concept of divine compassion and peace in Islam. That point has been elucidated from different angles by different scholars. Islam views any human act that violates divine compassion or peace with great contempt and derision.

According to a famous tradition of the Prophet (s.a.w), he described all creatures as the ‘family of Allah’ and has instructed that they should be treated well. ‘He is the most beloved of Allah, who treats His family well. One who is kind to others is qualified for Divine Compassion. The Qur’an makes it very clear, “My Mercy extendeth to all things. “ (Surah Al A ‘raf, verse 156)

A climate of anarchy violates Divine Compassion and blessings of the Prophet (s.a.w).

Islam presents the best practical model of tolerance. It is therefore a baseless fabrication that Islam is not disposed to tolerating people belonging to other creeds, ideologies and religions or supportive of violence. The history of Islam offers models of religious tolerance and best treatment of persons belonging to different era.

Go back to history, Islam did not initiate a war agaisnt non-Muslims even when they had the opportunity. All the wars led by the prophet were launched by unbelievers against Islam and Muslims. The prophet led the wars purely in defence and preservation of the faith. Islam does not teach that persons holding different creeds and ideas be eliminated. It aims to create suitable atmosphere for the principle “live and let live.”

Suratu-l-Kafiroon makes it clear, Lakumdinukum, waliyadeen “To you be your Way, and to me mine.” La ikhra fi-deen “Let there be no compulsion in religion. “ (Suratul- Baqarah, verse 256).

Nobody should be compelled to adopt Islam. That is the teachings of Islam. Any thing contrary is untrue about Islam and is unacceptable.

Boko Haram: Ajulo calls for overhaul of security system

An Abuja based lawyer and founder of Egalitarian Mission, Africa, a non-governmental organization, Kayode Ajulo has called on the federal government to overhaul the security system in the country with a view to giving pragmatic and proactive approach to the issue of Boko Haram in order to save the lives and property of Nigerians instead of the repeated reassurance of the President.

Ajulo said the issue requires sincerity and determination of the federal government in bringing the hydra-headed Boko Haram sect to order. “Nigerians do not need this irritant chest beating; the citizenry is not after reassurance but to know the truth behind the insurgency, we need to take a look on how other nations with similar problem tackled theirs.

“During 9/11, American government came all out to fight terrorists to standstill, we saw sincerity and determination on the part of the government to fight insecurity.”

He stated that government personnel move in and around Abuja with heavy security men while the same cannot be said about average Nigerian on the street in other parts of the country. “Recently, in Abuja, you’ll see them going about with a crowd of security personnel, instead of guiding us they are deploying all the security apparatus to themseslves.”

He called for more pragmatic and proactive approach with a view to stopping the killing of innocent Nigerians. “We need to correct the system, government need to correct the perception, it’s not about reassuring but showing determination. The security chiefs should resign or the President should weild the big stick, he said.

“The IGP will be going by February, Statutorily he will be 60 in a couple of months but we should not wait till then before we reorganise our security system. In such situation, it’s my humble view that our security outfits have to be given a new face, a new leadership and a new mascot,” he said.

Commenting on the 2012 budget, Ajulo described it as “inhuman” , saying “it is inhuman because it will cost 160 millions Nigerians about N1.3 trillion (8.3 billion Dollars) to pay as salaries and allowances of the political office holders that are not up to half a million, while N1.14 trillion (7.4 billion dollars) was earmarked for capital project and you and I know that not up to half of this will be implemented and the most shocking thing is that we would have to borrow money to pay these salaries and allowances,” he said.