Tackling our fears
Muslims and Christians in Nigeria must seek better means of understanding each other. Islam they say is peace and Christianity they say is based on love. You cannot have peace without love and you cannot have love without peace. The two are interwoven. My Christian brothers and sisters should be informed about this advice from […]
Muslims and Christians in Nigeria must seek better means of understanding each other. Islam they say is peace and Christianity they say is based on love. You cannot have peace without love and you cannot have love without peace. The two are interwoven.
My Christian brothers and sisters should be informed about this advice from a Muslim writer, AbdulMalik Miyahid who wrote that one calls to peace (Islam) with tenderness. That he should clarify issues to those he is calling with concern and should not hurt them or revile the disobedient in public. It was the same method that God enjoined Moses and Aaron to employ in calling the tyrant Pharaoh to the religion of truth. So, if the Boko Haram sect members were handled in a similar manner there would have not been any rancour today amongst us. In like manner, the General Overseer of Good Tidings Church, Pastor Dayo Olutayo advised that people should live above fears. Please let’s try to have oneness of mind and learn to live together in peace.
Religious violence and rancour are often backed by politicians for their own selfish reasons. When a politician fails to achieve his ambition, he is quick to attribute his failure to the bias his opponents have against his religion. Sometimes he attributes his failure to ethnic factors. Let our youths beware of the crafty politician whose sole aim is to use them. Such politicians are the cause of the chaos happening today.
I commend President Yar’adua for his bold steps in bringing peace to the Niger Delta. The National Assembly should complement his efforts by hastening the much delayed constitutional amendment because if we fail to amend the contentious areas of our constitution we will still have chaos to contend with.
Our current crop of politicians should seek to emulate the sincere patriotism of some of the finest leaders our country has produced in the past and should steer clear of the failures and lack of commitment of some of our disappointing leaders. And on the fear generated as a result of concerns for the health of our president, I will like to advise those vying for his seat to have a rethink. There are many Nigerians praying for his quick recovery and would not wish to see him dead. Authority comes from God. With faith, Yar’adua will not die, he will rule till God says it is time for him to go. I appeal to my fellow Nigerians not to veer off the path of faith.
Jerry Laz, Abuja