By Hammed J. Sulaiman
On Thursday, 3rd of February, news ravaged the internet over the tragic incident in Ijabgo, Kwara state. The news emerged due to protests by Christian and Muslim parents of students at the Oyun Baptist High School in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, over the use of the Hajib which got violent, with one person gunned down and four others suffering varying degrees of injuries.
It is not surprising and also surprising. It is not surprising because this is not the first time humans’ interest has been clouded with religious doctrines. It is, however, surprising because we can’t do without each other at some nexus, no matter what. We will relate in service to the nation, business, and social gathering, among others.
Hence, one should wonder the level of hatred Muslims and Christians have for each other. Are both religions preaching hate? Every reasonable religion encourages tolerance, pluralism, peace and love. It is without a doubt that humans always have a mindset guided by cluster factors.
The relationship between different faithful has its foot in legal parlance, too. Apart from freedom to practice one’s religion, the law is to the effect that anybody constituting a nuisance, hurting and insulting religion of others with the knowledge that the feelings of those concerned would be wounded, commits an offence. But sad reality has dawned on us.
Human beings now preach hate. No religion whatsoever encourages indecent dressing, no matter how minimal. No religion whatsoever preaches separation. During the heydays, there were treaties of peace then, which could be more or less a memorandum of understanding now. Preaching hatred and causing havoc is nothing but a devilish act camouflaging under religion.
A check on most successful companies shows that people need to network and allow networking beyond their religion and tribe. Most successful people, companies, and enterprises are not restricted to religion. The success stories of inter-connection of multicultural and multinational companies should serve as an example that people always need to drop their differences and embrace peace and love.
Mono-religion is disastrous in any setting. Calling for separation is not a solution. The only solution is mutual understanding, holding the tenet of law— which is right and freedom to practice one’s religion. The hate would be less when humans realise that some religious doctrines separate human relation.
Shutting down schools is also not a solution. People need to be sensitised about hatred implanted on their souls. Government and NGOs can come in that regard. Concerning Hijab, or covering of heads, each religion has the ways it mandates its subjects; but the fact has it that no religion encourages women to leave their heads uncovered. Hijab issues or mode of dressing is nothing but a game of interest to show dominance.
The move, the violence, and caprices of religious leaders are only preaching to the coming generation that there is nothing like religion but “religious-preneurs”, interest-dominated men, and men of God spooning with devils. People need to wake up, share love, tolerate each other, and move freely, minding their business.
Hammed J. Sulaiman is a columnist with TheInformant247. He can be reached via sulexmighty@gmail.com