Urges non-Muslim to promote peaceful coexistence

The National president of Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, Barrister Mubashir Ojelade has said that the hue and cry about islamisation of the country by the Christians was only a cheap blackmail, invalid claim urging them to redirect their energies towards meaningful things that will ensure peaceful coexistence of all citizens.  Barrister Ojelade in an interview with Facing the Kabaa maintained that although government should have consulted widely before taking decision on IRK and CRK as distinctive subjects in secondary schools, adding that a situation where sixteen subjects are being offered at junior secondary school level was unacceptable.  Excerpts:

The controversy about IRK and CRK

In the first place, the controversy was unnecessary. It was nothing but cheap blackmail. But we thank God that government has reversed the order.  The truth is that the subjects offered at the Junior secondary school level are many.  There were complaints by parents that children were overloaded with so many subjects and the recommendation then was to merge two subjects. When I was in secondary school, we offered  between nine to ten subjects.

A situation where 16 subjects are being offered at the Junior secondary school level is something we all have to look into.  If government’s intention ab initio was to address the situation, if the motive and intention for doing what they did initially was pure, then government was not wrong.  But, there should have been wider consultation since it involved religious subjects.  So, for me, the noise about it by Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN was uncalled for. Did it mean members of the committee who made this recommendation are all Muslims? I dont know why CAN chooses to heat the polity over none issue.

Barrister Mubashir Ojelade, President, Anwar-ul-Islam

Again, one dangerous development about the situation was the boycott by the Christian leaders who are members of of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, called, asking the students not to attend classes.  What that translated to was asking the students to disobey the constituted authority. How can you train the younger ones in that manner, impacting a sense of anger, disobedience and intolerance in the students.

I attended St Paul Secondary School, I know the Methodists, Anglican and Catholics are not like this, but it is this new generation churches being led by pastors who address themselves as doctors, (Ph.D) without going to school.

For us in Anwaru-Islam movement,  if the motive behind the move was good and for the development of the school curriculum, then the reversal was in the right direction. What government needed to do was to plan very well, do a wide consultation,  transparency, due process, effective collaboration with individuals and religious bodies and all stakeholders. This would have saved us this controversy.

 Islamising Nigeria

It is nothing but cheap blackmail. Who is trying to Islamise the country and how? Over the years, this is what they have been saying and I think it is because the Muslims have not been voiceferous on some of these issues.   We in Anwar-ul-Islam Movement, have taken it upon ourselves to engage the media on issues about Islam. There is no  iota of truth in their claim. Rather, they are the ones trying to Christianise the country through their aggressive evangelism. They are the ones you see on the streets, infringing on the peace of others, they are the ones you see in buses preaching in the name of wining souls. They are the ones that have taken over public places in the name of crusades, harrassing everybody with flyers. They are the ones who knock at your doors to preach their faith. Yet, they accuse the Muslims of trying to Islamise the country. He who alleges must prove, let them come up with evidence. They are the ones who instigate comments and actions that are capable of underming the peace of this country. It is very unfair.

On the stand-off between the executive and Legislature

It is unfortunate we are yet where we are. The stand-off between the legislature and the executive arms of government is unhealthy and is capable of retarding development.  The lawmakers have not really done enough to justify their pay.  But to answer your question, and in view of the dwindling ewconomy and the hash realities on ground, we dont even need  the two chambers.  The unicamera legislature will curb a lot of issues that we are currently facing in the national assembly just as it will also reduce cost and ensure effectiveness in the process of law making and in the long run engender development.

Achievements so far as President, Anwar-ul-Islam

I can tell you that the movement is solidly united. Without any gainsaying, unity makes any group more solid, you will be able to tap the mercy of Allah.

We have been able to reconcile all factions and we can say without being immodest, that there is no faction again in the movement.  All the NEC members, Executive members and all organs of the movement are united.  I have heard people say that those who even benefitted more under this administration are those who were initially opposed to me during the days of crisis.  But we thank Allah, we are one big family again.

Again, I have moved closer to our branches and missions such that we interract regularly and get in touch with them. That will engender confidence, peace and unity among all members.  This was attested to by the overwhelming turnout to our National Conference held recently.

Also, we are also working to strenghten and reposition our schools in order to put them on the path of progress.