RE: NIGERIA: FELLOWSHIP
The other, a certain Engineer, was so apparently miffed about the piece that he abused me in and out on the accusation that it seems I do not like the present Governor of my State; for that was why I did not mention the Governor’s ‘contribution’ during the Siege of Kano, but profusely gave space […]
The other, a certain Engineer, was so apparently miffed about the piece that he abused me in and out on the accusation that it seems I do not like the present Governor of my State; for that was why I did not mention the Governor’s ‘contribution’ during the Siege of Kano, but profusely gave space to the Emir of Kano, and his tears. I say thank you to both of you.
Find below a ‘representative’ sample of other reactions to last week’s piece:
LAZARUS SAMDI: Two weeks ago, I was at the same St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai that you discussed in your Column. That this monastery still stands as it is in modern-day [Muslim] Egypt is simply amazing! There is still great hope for tolerance in our troubled world; let’s cheer up! May God protect us in Northern Nigeria and bring us peace with our neighbours .We have collectively lost so much that 50 years is not enough for us to recover except by the special Grace of God Almighty.
AS UDUS, SOKOTO: Salam. I find your article very educating, especially for those of us who don’t know much about what happened to the Abbasid Caliphate. Peace to NIGERIA!
YA’U ISA, ABUJA: May Allah accept the prayers in your piece, and may peace and tranquillity envelope our nation, amin. Condolences for the Siege of Kano.
AL-AMIN SHUWA, MAIDUGURI: Enjoyed your piece and I support all the views expressed therein in their entirety. May Allah reward you abundantly for pointing out our weaknesses. It is true that most of the followers of these two great religions do not even comprehend their Holy Books; the Quran and the Bible. I hope and pray that one day we will discover our mistakes, forgive each other and learn to live together in peace and harmony, amin.
HASSAN M. UMAR, JALINGO: Thanks for this piece! It will go down in history as one of the best write-ups ever put up in the media space. It is indeed a contribution to humanity at a point when well-meaning people are expected to rise up to this kind of challenge. When we had the Maitatsine Riots back in the 1980s, all Nigerians fought the menace collectively, because Muslims and Christians were both under attack. No Christian uttered any negative word against the Muslims at that time. Today, however, if not for some sensible people across the divide who have been positive in thought and have offered calming suggestions, the country would have drifted into primordial exchanges between our peace-loving citizens. Religious leaders must caution themselves. We hope other commentators from both religions will come forth with such meaningful write-ups. We also hope our editors will see the need to censor unsubstantiated allegations. Nigeria First!
AM YAYAJO, GOMBE: Ameen ya Rabb to all your prayers in this your article! Ameen! May Allah bring peace to this country of ours.
BALARABE ADHAMA YAKASAI, KANO: All thanks and praises are due to Allah for blessing our society with people who can explain difficult matters in such simple language, although we seem to have been consumed by poor reading culture, especially of the English language! The piece is quite rich in both content and impact, and we hope many more channels will be employed to reach target publics with similarly simple and poignant messages. Allah Ya kara lafiya da nisan kwana!
MARWAN TAFIDA: I also wept from reading and hearing the unbaked stories of some media houses; they certainly make me sick! As for the leaders of our two faiths, I suggest they should allow peace to reign. Else we will start to doubt their commitment to see the country as one.
SAKA OLAIYA MOSHOOD, KATSINA: Your column made the day for many readers at the main newspapers stand in Katsina. I salute your courage and hope that you will not ‘shake’. You made me remember certain commentators who, on joining Government, immediately compromised, much to our chagrin. By the way, I hope you read Fashola’s letter to Mr. President on deployment of soldiers to Lagos; the same people who sang and danced for them when they needed votes are now not allowed to dance the same dance to protest. Looking forward to reading your next columns.
AHMAD DISINA, BAUCHI: Paragraph Seven of your piece, that of the dressing, prostration and hands-in-prayer of Nigerian Christian women pilgrims in Jerusalem, is worth reading and re-reading. Certainly very few of us noticed that picture in the manner you described it. Now I see it clearly. No difference. Ma sha Allah.
RABI’U I. IBRAHIM: Then also recall the refuge given those First Muslims (sent by Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace) by the Abyssinian Negus (Najjashi, King of Old Ethiopia), which was the first interaction between Muslims and the Christian World. We thank you, King Negus.
ALI BEN-MUSA, KANO: Sannu da aiki! Your discourse today has paved the way for our leaders across the divide to fall on this quote or else: “The thing is, we have to let go of all blame, all attacking, all judging, to free our inner selves to attract what we say we want. Until we do, we are hamsters in a cage chasing our own tails and wondering why we aren’t getting the result we seek.” – Dr. Joe Vitale.