On diabetes, infertility and prostrate: Rejoinders and enquries (i)
During the past one month, I have received many text messages and calls from readers of Islamic Forum. Though the calls were sometimes ‘invasive’ and extra-legal or as they say in law, ultra wires, I have had to attend to the enquiries based on my conviction that readers of Islamic Forum were men and women […]
During the past one month, I have received many text messages and calls from readers of Islamic Forum. Though the calls were sometimes ‘invasive’ and extra-legal or as they say in law, ultra wires, I have had to attend to the enquiries based on my conviction that readers of Islamic Forum were men and women of dignity who are bound to respond, not to react to issues that may be raised on this forum from time. And indeed the response has been extremely eclectic and engaging.
For example, in my essay last week, I offered some perspectives on the constant challenge humans have always had to face in regard to such medical conditions as diabetes, prostate enlargement and infertility. Our readers’ perspectives to the essay can be divided into three: that of seeking clarification of the suggested non-orthodox therapies I shared with readers, that of request to know where, for example, bailey could be found and third, that of calling my attention to the unintended conflation, in the essay, between water melon and lemon water.
In my discussion of the non-orthodox ways by which men could put their prostate gland under check, what I had in mind was water melon not lemon water. Lemon is another type of citrus which is known all over the world as a source of potassium, body cleanser, weight ‘balancer’ and for its strong vitamin C content and high potentials at increasing our bodies immune system among other benefits. Whenever I feel some discomforts in my system, I take a glass cup of warm water with reasonable quantity of lemon juice early in the morning.
However, what I had in mind last two weeks is water melon. Water melon is that big, reddish and sweet fruit that is available all over country in large quantities. It is this fruit that we were advised to juice together with carrot, and tomatoes for consumption on a regular basis. Readers are kindly advised to return to the essay for more information.
As for those who wanted to know where the items suggested to combat diabetes could be obtained, it was my advice that all of them are available in our local markets and supermarkets. For me the measure of the treasures endowed us with by our Creator is that none of the necessities of existence are beyond our reach. Not to know where the cure is or how to obtain it does not and should not be cited as evidence for the absence of cure for our ailment or lack of solution to our problem.
Readers of Islamic Forum equally wanted to know what my perspective was on the news item featured last Friday in this column in which Imams in France were said to have been made to sign what is called anti-Radicalization charter as a pre-condition for their continued operation as Imams in France. It was after I received enquiries in this regard that I spared sometime to peruse the piece. My immediate response was and still is that hardly is there anything that you as a Nigerian Muslim could do to stop the operationalisation of such Charters. One, the Charter appeared to enjoy governmental backing. The only option left to French Imams was and still is to go Court of law and file appeals against its actualisation or implementation. Second, we now live in a strange world; a world in which what is “Muslim” may actually be in conflict and indeed run counter to what is “Islam”. Strange times often demand strange policies and regulations.
In other words, if we spare some thoughts to the problem of terrorism all around the world, it is arguable to say that Muslims have been victims, witnesses and perpetrators. The situation has been so challenging such that questions now continue to be asked in regard to whether is lack of knowledge of Islam that is responsible for outbreak of violent extremism or too much knowledge of the religion. In my opinion therefore, French Muslims would and should see the Charter of anti-Radicalisation as a wake-up call to protect Islam and Muslims. Remember, an estimate of the number of victims of the acts of terrorism witnessed in this country so far shows that it is Muslims who have been most affected. The other day a Christian colleague has asked me: “when will your “brothers” stop killing your brethren in the Northeast?”!!!