Tahiyyatiy Al-Islam;
Dear forumnites,
In the recent past we gave a warm and sumptuous reception to a new articulate user, under the screen name Usman11, who showed interest in dialoguing with Muslims over some issues he feels strong about. I in particular, in our culture of civility, decorum and courtesy chose to compliment him by making some kind remarks about his submissions even though I mostly disagreed with his conclusions, thereby referring him to some links in which I believed my position was well put into perspective.
The discussing was really enlivening at the beginning. We exercised our brain muscles hoping that at a point we will all find reason to come to a conclusion that others, even though they can be wrong or right in certain respects, have a right to be different and we have an obligation to encourage them. We will then learn to appreciate them the way they are and live with them in harmony. Needless to say that, the need for such kind of discourses finds no better time in history than now and in no better place than Nigeria and today?s modern world.
Unfortunately at a point our guest began to manifest his allergy to reason by overt yet, implicit expression of the belief that the negative things he reads elsewhere about Muslims in general and northern Nigerian Muslims in particular are things that are hard truths and Muslims cannot have counter arguments about those charges. At a point he displayed his willingness not to only ridicule me but also to ridicule the Prophet of Islam, the most sacred physical symbol of Islam and the Muslims. Here, I am not saying that nobody should say anything bad about the Prophet or me but everybody should learn to see that they must also learn to give me room to defend my prophet or myself. Fair enough.
Well, many a times to such type of ?intellectual thugery? or terrorism, one lacks any word to say but since I had enough time at my disposal I chose to work on his psychology that I may bring to surface his naivety for others to see how shallow can persons be when they deny the command of their conscience and become emotionally attached to COPY and PASTED arguments they think can never be countered. Well, at last it worked the hate of the Muslims that finds settlement in Usman11?s heart was brought to bear.
This as expected generated some reactions from forumnites in which there are charges against the administration of this website that it deleted some postings by some members, particularly Maqari and Usman11. While I am convinced that every person of reason will understand with me in my ?fair? treatment of Usman11 (paying him in his own coin), therefore will not delve into those charges labeled against me by Maqari and lionger, I will however hasten to try to answer the charges against the administration of this site which deletes posts that it believes do not rhyme with its conception of freedom of expression. I will do this in three points:
1. Any person of reason living in a corporate society know that the concept of group identity is real and media outfits are set not without goals. As a result, one does not need to look twice at this site before he/she knows that it is Muslim, it is Hausa-Fulani and it is Nigerian.
2. As a result, the discussants in this forum are expected to bring up issues of discourse that are politely addressed to Muslims. This when positive they should be encouraging. When negative, they should be mild. We must understand that courtesy is a virtue that commands all human interactions.
3. One cannot just go to pornographic site?s forum and start discussing the legality or illegality of adultery and fornication. One cannot just come here and start discussing the good times he had when he took a slut yesterday and expect the administration to allow such posts. One cannot go to a secularly committed site and insist on discussing religious issues. One cannot come to this site and insist on his freedom to abuse the holy prophet of Islam and expect the administration of the site to just allow him. We have to have a very good grasp of the concept of ownership both at the individual and group level. It is then we will know exactly where our supposed right to speak or freedom of expression is hampered. We have to understand the concept of difference and learn to respect those who differ from us.
So Usman11 and Usman, while I do not insist that this understanding of mine is truly the understanding of the administration of this site, I will still find reason to ask you to try to sort of check yourselves and dance to the rhyme of reality as it relates to our communion on this site.
Salam
waziri: I guess I have left the death penalty post when all these problems started with usman11. I had noticed, and i said so in the post, that usman11 is only concerned about disparaging the character of Muhammad (PBUH). I left the string when I realised the thrust of the discourse is fast becoming a slugfest by usman11. I did'nt imagine i it'll degenarate to a point where Admin has to delete posts by others.
I think you are right in saying that issues raised have to take into account the sensitivities of most members of this site who are Muslim. We must, however, be able to tolerate a certain amount of criticism on our religion. The said amount is to be determined by the admin.
I am sure usman11 is not satisfied with the responses he got from us here. But that is OK. So I will direct him to islamonline.net where he can get authentic info on islam and muslims. He can also put forth questions or concerns to their fatwa staff who are usually very experienced mullahs from all parts of the world particularly Misr.
I hope this helps.
Waziri, I am not sure what all that rambling above is intended to achieve. So far, I have not seen any reaction to your lengthy diatribe. I guess I struck a nerve or something, because you actually went and took out a full page commercial to discuss your grievance with me. That itself is very childish.
I have been encouraged by some more reasonable members of this forum (you are not part of that crew) to abandon this senseless confrontation with you, as it is a waste of my previous time. I was also adviced to offer an apology for some of my rather 'hash' comments about Muslims and the Prophet. Well, again, for the more class acts around here, Magari, Lionger, Mallamt, and co, I do apologise for any offensive comment I made, and I do so sincerely, and without reservations.
As for you Waziri, you already have a reputation here of being an empty drum. All noise and no substance, and so I offer no apology to you, and that's the bottomline. When you connive with the site administrator to sensor materials posted here which was intended to arouse interest and generate enlightenment, then it says a lot about you and the type of leadership this so called community houses. Free speech is free speech no matter how offensive. If charges are levied out against someone in any context, and those charges can collabrated with proof, then they are not just false charges but truths. At this point, that is even a different matter altogether. Waziri, I do not freaking dance to any rhyme.
One of the thing the so called northern elite are accused of is deliberately keeping the majority of northern people under their whims and denying them freedoms to self determination. In this vein, they hold people back from pursing their dreams, especially in education and other life ventures. The idea is for the people to be dependent of them (elites) so they can maintain the status quo. If the majority of people become enlightenened and propers, it becomes impossible to manipulate them and enjoy their privileged status. So it comes down to denying people opportunity, and I see you have the same mentality. You want to force people into conformity, and then demand that I dance "to the rhyme" or else.....Or Else what Waziri? Dance to the rhyme or else what? Do you really think the site administrator has absolute control of this site?
Anyway, to Magari, Mallamt, Lionger, and some of the other more civilized persons, I again offer my apology for negative path in which the discussion progressed. I actually do enjoy reading your posts, and look forward to reading more of your thoughts on different issues. Thx
If I catch this waziri, I would have flogged him seriously He is such a kata-kata person. Ok, I agree with everyone. This was way overboard and unnecessary. There is no doubt that Waziri is a brilliant writer in his presentations. I am also enjoyed the contributions of everyone here despite the position they take on this issue. I withdraw all unpleasant commentaries of mine, and apologize to everyone that I have offended including waziri. Waziri sorry for my rude outburst. All that was in the heat of argument. I respect your views whether or not I agree with them.
Cheers everyone!
Quote from: "usman11"If I catch this waziri, I would have flogged him seriously He is such a kata-kata person. Ok, I agree with everyone. This was way overboard and unnecessary. There is no doubt that Waziri is a brilliant writer in his presentations. I am also enjoyed the contributions of everyone here despite the position they take on this issue. I withdraw all unpleasant commentaries of mine, and apologize to everyone that I have offended including waziri. Waziri sorry for my rude outburst. All that was in the heat of argument. I respect your views whether or not I agree with them.
Cheers everyone!
Had it been you woke to this realisation right from the begging we would not have had problems with you. But anyway I must say I love your humility.
For Waziri, I believe you will come to know he is not as bad as you thought he was. The guy is great, Intelligent, sharp and extra - ordinary. They call him the legendary Waziri around here and I believe he is, having known and worked with him for years.
cheers