Hijab Controversy: Kwara State Govt and the Rest of Us.

If the use of the Hijab will divide us this long considering how trivia it may be, heavier issues on religion might come with war. Our choice of religion is not to damn us to war but for peaceful co-existence.

I wish to start this way, supremacy of religion is one of the problems faced by every typical Nigerian. A typical Nigerian is driven to satisfy is religion as a pledge of allegiance to his God. Painfully, the allegiance destroys our love for humanity. I perceive it’s better to love fellow humans in appreciation to the God you have not seen. Christianity and Islam always battle for supremacy. They do this to please God not seen. I believe in God and His existence but my co-existence with my neighbours be it Christian or Muslim is not based on religion but love for humanity.

The firmness of everyone towards the religious right is another problem. Tolerance in religion is the ability to overlook what you do not believe in. Both sides have chosen not to tolerate each other. Everyone has a base for defending his faith. They say “we die here”. You can die for what you believe but it becomes insanity thinking killing your brothers for what you believe is correct.

No one wants to feel inferior. Funnily, the God we both claim we serve is less concern about supremacy yet we fight to defend this. Most Christian will not back off on this, they never want to be called a coward and the Muslims not ready to give up on their pursuit. Both sides want to win. The two sides must learn that you don’t win your struggle all the time. It’s not a reference point of defeat but a way to push better.

Now, I suppose that everyone is right and the government must be a better judge. The truth must be said government and politics can’t separate. One will know that the typical Nigerian politics is propaganda and it’s most times off-sincerity. Policies are made on self-interest or fear of the masses, not on the ideal state of the matter. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq the executive Governor must avoid politics mixed with religion, it kills.

In leadership, wisdom is not something you neglect. The stakeholders of both religions must be on the same page before re-opening of the closed school. If they are, I certainly believe no violence will erupt. The Imams will talk to their brethren likewise the Pastors to theirs. If this crisis persists, religious leaders are not satisfied with the Governor’s directive.

Violence whichever way is not an ideal thing. The government must see to installing peace on every ground before re-opening. People may die as a result of minor violence. No violence is too small to kill. You don’t test run a situation with violence. It’s wrong.

The political side of this whole saga should not be neglected. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq should watch his back “Nitori Ika Laye”.

A few of my following suggestions may be of help to Kwara State Govt on the Hijab controversial closure of schools:

♦Hasty decisions cannot work, do the domestic consultation before full re-opening. Paths must be tread carefully to avoid conflict which could escalate to religious crises like Kano 2004 or Jos 2001.

♦Since it’s a reoccurring issue, it’s advisable that any meeting held with both religions should involve the youth. Whatever the conclusion is can be passed to the coming generation.

♦The Govt is advised to make a press release on the progress of things. The sudden decision may hurt the feelings of either of the religion.

♦There are alarming educational issues to focus on than darkening the minds of young ones with Religious issues therefore creating a gradual hatred within children. So the government should create room for religious enlightenment.

♦Lastly, since humans are not easily satisfied, the Govt may go for sensitization of Kwara people on the need value Lives above any religion.
Sincere Imams and pastors can take the lead of this sensitization with Govt backing.

I pray God in his Mercy bring peace and settle our differences, grant us grace to know we are the first human before embracing any religion.

© Femi Gbadeyan