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By Bldr. Mubarak Abdullahi Koli
It has recently been alleged that religious persecution is taking place in Nigeria, with some even describing it as a “Christian Genocide,” as tagged by the U.S. President Donald Trump following the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
For a long time, there has been a widespread misconception or perhaps a deliberate misrepresentation of what Islam truly stands for, particularly in the eyes of the Western world and adherents of other faiths. Islam has often been wrongly portrayed as a religion that promotes violence, terrorism, and bloodshed. Some even assert that Islam was spread by the sword. However, such claims are baseless and lack any element of truth.
If one sincerely seeks to understand the essence of Islam, they would realize that it is a religion that advocates peace, justice, compassion, and coexistence. Consider countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates; nations that have made significant strides in technological, social, and economic advancement. They are Muslim countries, yet their development reflects progress, not violence. Unfortunately, despite their achievements, these nations still face prejudice and lack the recognition they deserve from the Western world. When an individual from any of these countries errs, the global media often rushes to condemn the entire religion rather than the individual’s actions.
Islam, by its very nature, is a religion of peace. It teaches love, mutual respect, and compassion among people. Those who genuinely wish to understand Islam should seek knowledge from authentic sources rather than rely on biased media narratives designed to promote propaganda or deepen division.
In Nigeria, Islam faces similar challenges of misunderstanding. Many people fail to differentiate between culture and religion. Numerous practices common in Northern Nigeria are cultural traditions, not religious injunctions. For instance, the style of native dressing and certain customs are rooted in culture, yet they are often mistakenly attributed to Islam. Like every other religion, Islam has both good and bad adherents, but the actions of a few misguided individuals should not be used to condemn the entire faith. Indeed, most Muslims denounce and oppose those who misuse the name of Islam for selfish or violent purposes.
No sensible person can claim to be pleased with the current state of insecurity in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, some individuals, driven by greed and self-interest, continue to exploit the situation, causing immense harm to our people and tarnishing the image of the region. As Muslims and as citizens, we must condemn such acts and continue to call on the government to rise to the occasion, to eliminate these bad elements from our communities and to put an end to the incessant killings of innocent souls across the country.
On this note, I wish to briefly address certain claims made by some Christians in Northern Nigeria that they are being treated as second-class citizens or are compelled to pay taxes in order to live freely. I believe that the right-thinking and sincere individuals among them will not subscribe to such notions. To put this claim into perspective, consider examples such as great minds from Bauchi State, who rose from a minority to become the Speaker of the National Assembly and the other served as the Executive Secretary of TETFund. In Kano State’s Sabon Gari Ward, the serving councillor is a Christian. Numerous Christians across Northern Nigeria have excelled in business, public service, and academia.
Contrary to the allegations, Christians are well represented across the accused twelve northern states and occupy significant positions in both government and the private sector. They are given fair opportunities to attain the pinnacles of their careers. Therefore, spreading misinformation and divisive propaganda serves no one’s interest. We must reject such narratives that sow hatred and disunity among us.
The insecurity plaguing Nigeria today knows no religion, ethnicity, or tribe. We are all victims in one way or another. What the nation needs now is healing, not division. We do not need foreign interference that could worsen our challenges; instead, we must seek solutions that promote unity, peace, and development for all Nigerians.
To those who wish to see the destruction of our country, believing that such chaos will advance their selfish ambitions, and to those who continually sow discord and division among us under the illusion that they are superior to others, let it be known that their actions only deepen our wounds as a nation.
One must reflect and ask: where in the world is it written that everyone must think, dress, eat, or worship in the same way? Why should anyone be denied the basic privileges of life simply because they hold different beliefs or choose a different way of living? Every individual is entitled to freedom of thought, faith, and expression, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
It is therefore imperative that we learn to respect, accommodate, and tolerate one another now more than ever. In this regard, I must commend our religious leaders who have taken courageous and sincere steps towards promoting peace, unity, and understanding among all Nigerians. Despite the painful experiences and losses suffered by adherents of both major faiths due to the activities of terrorists and bandits, these leaders have continued to put the nation first, working tirelessly to ensure that harmony and stability prevail across our land.
I call upon the government to remember its fundamental responsibility, the protection of lives and property. Nigerians, especially those in regions most affected by insecurity, are not primarily demanding education, infrastructure, or electricity at this critical moment; they simply yearn for the freedom to live in peace. It is disheartening that innocent lives continue to be lost daily, while allegedly some individuals reportedly profit from this tragic situation.
To the northern elites, traditional rulers, and religious leaders; insecurity and insurgency have persisted in our region for over a decade. It is time to put aside all differences and confront this crisis collectively. Our region lags behind in education, healthcare, and economic development. We have the highest number of school dropouts, displaced persons, and orphans, all consequences of prolonged insecurity. We must rise to our responsibilities and work sincerely to improve the lives of those who entrusted you with leadership.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that Nigeria will rise again. Those who wish to see the nation fail will ultimately face disappointment and shame. May Nigeria be strengthened to withstand any pressure from both internal and external enemies.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bldr. Koli, MNIOB
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