By Abdul Mutallib Muktar
I read from today’s edition of Daily Trust how DSS rescued 21 Almajiris from a house under the custody of ECWA church in Jos North. The Almajiris were alleged to have been forcefully brought there from another state. After their rescue, the Almajiris revealed how they were forced to learn and practise Christianity.
Keep aside the pluralism of Nigeria and remember how Plateau State has been suffering from crises for over two decades. The major cause of these crises is undeniably attributable to religious divides.
Taking and camping children from another religion in the name of educating them without parental consent, especially when they’re forced to receive religious instructions and attend religious ceremonies or observance different from their own religion, is an act that clearly violates Section 38(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Therefore, the act of the Evangelical churches is constitutionally wrong. It is unacceptable in the eyes of the law. More so, looking at the situation in Plateau State, it is utterly unthinkable for the church to camp Muslim Almajiris without the consent of their parents or guardians and teach them Christianity or force them to attend church services. This act is akin to throwing an ember into a tank of fuel.
Looking at the issue from another angle, it behoves any fair pen, to tell the truth to the parents of these Almajiris. The remote places in the North still view the Almajiri system as a good way of learning merely because of its ancestral tint. It is highly condemnable to see little children roaming about the streets of our cities day and night, begging for food in the name of learning. Looking at the slavish lifestyle of Almajiris in Arewa, it will not be surprising if someone acts in the belief that the parents of these Almajiris have disowned them.
More strange news would continue to hit the headlines as long as the Almajiri system remains what it is today. However, as life changes, people must adjust to take a better breath.
Muktar writes from Jos, Plateau State and can be reached via abdulmutallib.muktar@gmail.com.
It’s so sad wallahi😭 it’s unfortunately things happen in the great country like ours Nigeria 🇳🇬 where leaders doesn’t concerns about. It’s clearly indication that we are failing state if care it has to be taken from the government, traditional rulers, NGOs and religion leaders.
May the almighty God spare us from the hands of the ugly ones 🙏
And if such things happening today, tomorrow we’ll hold the responsibility of it act now and act fast.👌
You have said it all, Sir Abdul. The kind of several questions that usually bombarding my heart whenever strange things like these one happen in Nigeria are that, do people lived this way before? If yes. Do that people know that the time has changed, they can’t practice it now and are they willing to grab the changes?
What the people with the knowledge of the how to do, in order to ameliorate this lingering problem of almajiri?
Are that people really care about the situation those fragile kids are in, which way they take to solve it?
You hit the nail on its head. One will begin to wonder whether the northern muslims really care about themselves let alone their dependents. Imagine this tragic news pops up without even making headlines on newpapers and sadly that’s how it will go without getting the perpetrators of this unconstitutional act punished!
We are walking to unkwon direction. North and its subjects are in heavy sleep. It is my humble prayer they one day wake up.
The truth of the matter is the issue of keeping those almajirin a church is an act of a looking for a trouble which can lead to a religion violence knowing vividly that jos a place where religion tolerance is ascent
The fact is that we from the muslims community, to some extent shows lackadaisical habits toward our societal problems But surely something needed to be inserted in our hearts that, such action shall never be tolerated or welcomed.
The church has no right to convert an Almajiri to Christianity. It’s unacceptable. But you have touched on the most important issue which is the basic need for food and security, did the church provide that to them? If they did then they should be commended. Which means they shoundn’t be judged harshly. These days when people are being kidnapped for body parts, if someone is given a better life, then it should be acknowledged. And perhaps allow the church to speak for themselves.
It depends on how and where those almajiris were picked, the condition they were found. Maybe the church ddnt mean any harm but thought of rendering help. It’s obvious that one should not be forced into a different faith from his, but nevertheless, the church should speak for clarity. I come in peace pls. Salamu alaikum .