QUESTION OF SHAME BY THE SOURCE WEEKLY MAGAZINE

[Dan-Borno]

The Source Weekly Magazine in its April 21, 2008
Vol. 22 No. 26 edition did a very unusual Editorial
and Cover story which is not only capable of creating
dissonance among the two giant faith in Nigeria,
but continuously creating tension and hatred between
them, especially at this time of understanding and
reconciliation.

"The OIC Question" is the cover page story written
by one Chidiebere Onyemaizu with additional reports
by Kunle Popoola and Uwem Benjamin.  Both writers
couldn't answer the question, rather they tried in
maneuvering the minds of their readers into believing
that there is a great danger in Nigeria becoming a
member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference,
especially our Christian friends who view OIC the way
we (Muslims) see it.

Each time Nigeria is referred to as a secular state
I become confused the more, I would rather agree
if we refer our constitution as being "secular". 
No matter how we understand secularism, we can
never exonerate religion in our daily affairs.  If at all
Nigeria is considered to be a secular country, then why
do we offer opening and closing prayers as offered
by a Muslim or Christian cleric in all our activities,
both private and governmental.  This is to show us
how we accept God in all our dealings and affairs. 
Even America, recognize God!.

The biased reporters portray OIC as a cult organisation
capable of bringing chaos into Nigeria, even though, the
reporters have clearly understood the aims and objectives
of the OIC but gladly turned their face away.  What I
would have wanted these reporters to report is to access
the benefits Nigerias derived from being a member of the
organization, personally, I am of the view that Nigeria
and or Africa did not derive anything important from OIC,
so I see no importance in becoming a member of a non
functioning body – unlike how the reporters see it as a
dragon monster capable of inciting Nigerian Muslims.

The reporters would have taken their time and ask an
average Muslim on the street the meaning of OIC, if they
have done so, I doubt if this report will be a matter to be
given an editorial status.  The average Muslim doesn't
even know what OIC stands for, not to talk of its existence
and benefits derived.

How many schools or scholarships did the OIC ever
offered to Muslims in Nigeria?  from which angle of poverty
alleviation did they assist the Nigerian Muslim – this the
reporters failed to establish, rather they succumb into
sighting example with people like Idi Amin as being
product of OIC with all the atrocities he has committed.

I have firm believe that neither Christian Association
of Nigeria (CAN) nor any Christian organization in Nigeria
raised an eyebrow over the issue of OIC.  Surprisingly,
the reporters can not deny the fact that it was Olusegun
Obasanjo that allegedly paid the membership fee of the OIC,
do we then assume the then President of Nigeria and a
practicing Christian doesn't know the implication of subscribing
to membership of the OIC?  And if as the reporters alleged
that OIC is capable of bringing Chaos into the country, do
you think the then President is not security conscious?

My advice to the reporters and the magazine company is
to use its medium in creating a balance story capable of
bringing harmonious relationship between the two religions
in Nigeria, after all, its not only Christianity and Islam
that are religions in Nigeria, there are other religions too
that where not even recognized – have we given them their
freedom of religion?.

In my conclusion, I will like to call on professional journalist
to use their medium in propagating the news of peace and
tranquility in Nigeria in a more constructive way.

[_Waziri_]

Intersting write-up again, I would want to believe you are virtually right on everything you said here about the mis-reporting but the truth of the matter is:

The reporters will never want that thing you want for the country since their goal and ofcourse their masters' have never been to be fair to you or anyone else. It is all about getting what they want at the expense of anything even your happiness, peace and spritual convictions. 

Secondly I do not think its fair on OIC to say they do not contribute in the significant development of its member states. The fact of the matter is they do not have the media to necessarily achieve for them the publicity needed to be felt in the competetive world.

I would want to believe that in as much as UN organisation is characterised by failure according to socio-political analyst it only surpasses OIC in publicity and nothing more.

By the way no matter how much money Muslims have in this world, they are indeed outmoneyed, outmuscled, outgunned by their opponents in this world now. So it is only logical that they are not heard in distinct voice or felt. But nevertheless they try their very best!

Waziri

[Dan-Borno]

noted the Vizier  8)

[HUSNAA]

Mallam Waz, allow me to differ from u on one matter.. muslims are not outmoneyed.. truly... Muslim oil money runs the western economy. If muslim countries were to pull out their investments from the west, the western economy will fold like a cotton candy. One thing I heard recently was that the real  real really real reason that Bush did away with Saddam Hussein was that Saddam was planning to depeg the iraqi currency from the american dollar and peg it to the euro. Now that would have been a phenomenal disaster to the us economy. So they had to invent WMD 9 11 and Bin Laden to fool the west into accepting their machinations and also  bribe Musharraf by recognizing his 'illegal' govt and overlooking certain debts owed them by Pakistan, so that the whole fiasco would have a legitimate islamic backing.
I bet u that investment house Salomon Brothers were in on the 9/11 conspiracy. Otherwise why was CNN so reluctant to name their building outright as the Salomon Building, moments before it collapsed on 9/11. They kept tagging it as building no 5 or 7. I had to switch to the bcc to get the name of the builiding.

[King]

Dan Borno, hold on a sec. The OIC issue is a very public subject isn't it? So if it is public, what do you expect the press to do? Ignore it? Anything in public domain is subject to public scrutiny and criticism. Also when you say you are confused about the secular reference that people ascribe to Nigeria because we offer prayers publicly, I am confused by your confusion. Being secular does not mean prayers cannot be offered in public buildings. The main idea behind secularization is that a society should not pander or adopt a particular religion as the official religion in a multi religious society, and that religion should be separate from government.
Now, I wonder why you are dismayed with the critics of OIC and not offended with those that registered Nigeria as an OIC member with total disregard for public opinion or participation in the decision making process. Was there a referendum before Nigeria became a member of the OIC? Listing 'the benefits' of OIC membership is totally unimportant and quite frankly pointless in this regard. I for instance do not care if the benefits were so great that it would have been stupid of me not to want it. The point is there are other faiths in Nigeria and nobody has a right to make a faith based decision on for them whether or not it benefits them. This is what democracy is supposed to be....the right to chose and decide. Just because some people think it is such a wonderful idea does not mean others share the same sentiments.


Imagine if someone had enrolled Nigeria in some "Organization of Christian Nations", or in an "Organization of Atheist Republics". Tell me honestly, how many riots and bloodshed would have followed that action by you know who? Dozens.

I also fail to see the divisiveness you accuse this editorial of creating. These journalists have simply revisited an issue that some folks would rather not see re-awoken in public consciousness. Sweeping issues under the rug is not exactly my idea of keeping the peace and fostering togetherness. The OIC issue did not bring Nigerians together by a remote bit. It actually divided Nigeria even further. So if you want to talk about healing or unity perhaps you should begin by understanding that decisions like OIC membership cannot be unilaterally taken by Muslim leadership on behalf of an entire country with a very significant non Muslim population. This type of blatant disregard for the right of others is what deepens the divide between people in any society. Perhaps if we could all think along those lines, we may actually begin to come together.

[Dan-Borno]

man wahalahu man jarabahu
wa man tatsinaka dakkan dakkan.