By Ibrahiym A. El-Caleel
By the special grace of God, nothing shall befall the Imām of National Mosque, Professor Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari, for the calculated report published by Vanguard Newspapers. The media house submitted a report on the Sokoto incidence wherein they sandwiched truths, half-truths and micro-truths.
The Imām didn’t endorse mob action anywhere. He only maintained that Muslims have redlines. Circumferential lines that shouldn’t be approached. Lines which must not be crossed to disrespect their faiths. And this is both factual and non-negotiable. So, the Imām was very much on point. No amount of calculated media intimidation can change this hard fact.
You may say the Imām was not making a personal statement. He was stating what is obtainable in the thoughts of every Muslim with some fair knowledge of the Islamic law. It is in the books of Islamic law.
Unfortunately, it seems we are not ready to make progress on this recurrent problem. People are reiterating the measures that can be taken to avert future episodes of this issue, but no one is ready to listen. Rather, the suggestions are mischievously twisted to mean tacit justification for mob lynching. What sort of regressive society have we become? Meaning, we prefer to dwell on polemical exchange, rather than orienting ourselves towards some mutual understanding. Which, between polemics and societal orientation, paves way for harmony in a plural society?
Muslims are saying, blasphemy isn’t tolerated in Islam. When truly committed in the rights of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the provision by Islamic law is execution. And in Qur’an Chapter 6, verse 108, Muslims are categorically prohibited from blaspheming anyone’s religion- be them Christians, Jews or Traditional Worshippers. It is not allowed in Islam. The Qur’an has warned on it. This prohibition was made, so that no one blasphemes Islam out of revenge. By this, Islam respects the boundaries or redlines of every religion. Are Christians saying that their religion encourages them blaspheme Islam? Where was that stated in the Bible? I believe nowhere! This means, it is purely an act of mischief for anyone to choose to make a living from ridiculing or blaspheming a Muslim’s faith. Since the instruction isn’t Biblical.
All these are honest discussions that will promote harmony, and give us some sanity. Give us a civil society. This is what a national mosque Imām, Professor Ibrahīm Maqari is saying. He was not justifying mob action by any implication. Do not put words into his mouth please. Vanguard Newspapers lied as usual. Barefaced. And this is not the first time they are submitting such a mischievous report whose jeopardizing tendencies they are underestimating.
But it is understandable since yellow journalists would always take pleasure in misfortunes like this. It is what gives them the advantage to sell volumes of papers and gather traffic. Woe onto he who follows unethical methods to garner influence and gain income. Woe onto him!
