A certain Senior
University Lecturer (name withheld) who was mistaken for a rich man had his
life spared by the Boko Haram (BH) between 20 April and 3 May 13 after his
abduction the moment they (BH) realized that he was fluent in Arabic and
Quranic studies. Eventually the lecturer was able to engage the group out there
in Sambisa forest, on the ideology and sources of their beliefs and reliance on
faith based dogma for the atrocities they commit willfully on human race. The
dialogue speaks for itself and it contains most of the fundamental assumptions
the Group rely upon for their warped and unguided interpretations of the
Islamic sources. The Narration was published verbatim by the Desert Herald
Weekly newspaper of 01 Jan 15 (week) under the caption Dialogue Is As
Feasible’. The discourse covered the following among others:
Bottom – Top versus Top – Bottom revivalist approach and a
contrast with the Prophetic approach.
Sinfulness or otherwise in western education versus
universality/neutrality of knowledge worldwide.
Concept of ‘Bana Alaye’ (Assistance For the sake of Allah)
used to justify BH forcible seizure of peoples properties.
Concept of Quranic ‘Let there be no compulsion in religion
as the truth stands out clear from error’ and their warped interpretation of
it.
Manifestly the problem between the two sides is half solved
since the BH Group rely on the same sources of Islamic law accepted by the
Senior Lecturer and indeed Muslims worldwide. More interesting however is the
fact that the Lecturer was able to, in no time, subdue their intellect with a
profound impression that made them to obtain consent of their superior
commanders to suspend his execution, delay his release for about 10 days during
which they obtained more knowledge while he led them in congregational prayers.
Admittedly however, he had to promise that he would quit Government employment
before they let him go.
Narration Is Supposed To Be Official Record
The story of the
Senior University Lecturer was though obtained from the Lecturer in due course
of official engagement the record was lost along the line. But the BH situation
has only worsened since then making it necessary to obtain another record for
purposes of refreshing on ideas that are urgent to the best of fair comments.
It is most expedient to continue to put pressure on the Federal Government to
value the use of the Senior University Lecturer and his likes, too numerous to
mention so as to academically engage the BH ideology or dogma for our common
good. Conducive atmosphere or environment is required for the desired
engagement as well as security for all participants to positively compliment
efforts so far put in to the counter insurgency operations. Such a dialogue
will automatically also suspend life and faith in their command structure,
fighting spirit, morale and also save fresh recruitments of the vulnerable
youth. How constructive is the counter insurgency activity when the group is
physically exterminated under huge collateral loses when it can be averted by a
simple forum made to challenge the basis of the Group and weaken its
ideological hold on its followers. On the other hand, how can the insurgency
even be wiped out when a few could after all still escape with the same
negative idea and remain latent for another day’s run later in life.
Judicial Processes And/Or The Peace Keeping Options
Judicial
processes, adequately provided by the criminal justice system could have
brought the BH and their dogma to its knees since they are largely Nigerians and
subject to its laws but this would now seem late and difficult to reinitiate
within the current war like situation. Dialogue therefore remains the next
viable option if the war is to be properly won. The UN or other multinational
or multifaceted peace keeping forces, by convention also favor dialogue when
duly employed into foreign countries since issues of jurisdiction and
subjectivity to local laws naturally pose a problem to them in foreign lands.
They therefore either supervise a peace agreement or enforcement which is no
more than to provide a secure environment where all parties feel comfortable to
make their case for progress to be made in conflict resolution. Internal
operations by own forces are certainly more deserving of this passionate approach
than own operations in foreign conflicts. It is absurd in the first place to
say that the insurgency has defied internal judicial solution for such a long
period of the BH insurgency. Nevertheless, even with the judicial inadequacies,
Nigeria and its Armed Forces are lucky to be acclaimed internal peace keepers
to many successfully resolved conflicts around the Globe. If its Armed forces
can offer mediation services under rules of minimum and limited force to
foreign countries with warring factions why can’t it bring home such expertise
between the larger conformist Nigerian Muslim community and its wayward BH
faction ahead of the conventional war efforts that has so far proved less
effective.
Education As The Sardauna Solution
The book ‘Where I
Stand’ is most revealing of the background to all the narrations put forward on
the BH character and methods. Sheikh Abubakar Gumi( of blessed memory),
incidentally dedicated Chapter 11 ‘Bottom against the Top’ warning on the
consequences of limited Islamic education in Northern Nigeria and how the
public is extremely gullible to wanton ignorance 21 years before the Senior
Lecturer would pose the same item to the BH. The most striking warning however
appears in Chapter 7 of the book captioned “Sunset” where the author, while on
pilgrimage to Makkah with the then Premier of Northern Nigeria the Sardauna of
Sokoto (of blessed memory), called on the latter to view the sight of Nigerian
pilgrims “throwing huge pieces of stone, shoes or whatever they could find
around in the name of stoning the Devil. A few others had even mounted a small
mound at the Jam rat (effigy symbol), hitting it with sticks and shouting
insults against Satan at the same time”. This not only depicted the ignorance
of the average Nigerian pilgrim over basic Islamic literacy and knowledge but
also his tendency to fanatically believe in anything purported to be Islamic
whether true or false. The Nigerian Muslim is too naive to be critical about
source of or interpretation of Islamic sources provided they seem to come from
Arabs or the Middle Eastern Islamic countries. What made the Sardauna a true
leader was that he quickly appreciated the urgency in the promotion and
establishment of structures that ensured propagation of Islam to correct the
anomaly. His immediate reaction after the Incident was to hire 5 Islamic
Scholars on monthly salary dedicated to Islamic propagation and this culminated
into series of activities that gave birth to the setting up of the Jamaatu
Nasril Islam. Nigerian pilgrims today rank near equal to those from other
Muslim countries in Hajj performance. Thanks to sustained efforts and
governmental support of the operations that ensured education and compliance
with the Hajj code and ethics over time.
The Sardauna efforts were however short
lived to have made the desired impact on Muslim education in other areas.
Imagine the Nigerian pilgrim of the time described in the book ‘Where I Stand’
with a one off hajj opportunity to strike at the Devil, being given an AK 47
and its ammunition instead of the pebbles for the jamarats/ theDevil. He is
certain to purify himself and unleash the greatest of venom, and even wish to
remove the Devil permanently as a barrier between his mortal self and the
heaven once and for all. What a paradox that on return, according to Sheikh
Gumi “the Sardauna ….came back to Kaduna to be greeted with the news that a
large contingent of Gwoza people in Sardauna province had converted to Islam,
through the hard work of the Waziri of Gwoza” That this Gwoza is the first
appetite for the BH today, purportedly turning it into the capital of their
contrived Islamic caliphate speaks volume of what really the grievances are. Is
the BH ideology or anger not in reality demonstrating protest of neglect and
wanton ignorance over the good that the Sardauna started but albeit left
hanging and unaided since his demise? The persons who paved way for the Gwoza
caliphate, either through neglect or some inadvertence, to easily obtain AK 47
and its pebbles, knowing full well that the adherents are no more than pupils
in Islamic theology, picking Islamic education in inadequate, demeaning and
substandard environment have done the opposite of what Sardauna and good
compatriots would do to its ignorant people. Great scholars are now being lost
to this indigent situation leaving the flock in a wild revenge and wanton
outbursts of violence that knows no bounds. The recent show of performance by
border countries of the North Eastern region indicate that supply of arms and
ammunition to the BH was, though illicit, from largely local sources and
armories. The disposition shown by the border countries seem to rule out any
loose arrangement on their part or environment that could have been exploited
for arms smuggle across the bordering States. It means that a greater
demonstration of a more robust plan of action when built upon the missing link
between the Sardauna initiative and existing traditional platforms on Islamic
propagation would turn the table of conflict towards peace, commonality and
progress in complimentary roles to the war efforts. These efforts can never be
said to be late please.
The Hajj Rites Offer Another Narration
Interestingly the
2014 Hajj has provided an opportunity for another narration to the numerous
others propounded. It afforded an opportunity to relate the Islamic Hajj rites
with the current Nigerian situation. Mount Arafat Day offers a religious
opportunity where prayers are believed to need no further climb upwards. A
pilgrim is considered forgiven of his past sins and mistakes having attained
the Arafat congregation successfully. At sun set of the Day the pilgrim is
considered to have sum mounted all obstacles put in place by the Devil to
counter the pilgrim’s intention, preparations and journey to Makkah to
appreciate his Lord. It also means that the Devil, known for his illusiveness,
had been subdued to a harmless state, exposed to the open as to virtually be
considered visible with the naked eyes. The Jam rats, the symbols representing
the physical sighting and subduing of the Devil, are therefore placed on the
return passage between Mount Arafat and the Harem/Grand Mosque for a Pilgrim to
raise 21 small pebbles and throw 7 each at the 3 jam rats. The pilgrim repeats
the same throw in succession for the next 2 or three days, as the case may be,
while performing other rites carried forward in the Hajj Period. On return back
to his base after the Hajj, the pilgrim is believed to be as clean and sinless
as on the day he was born, strong enough to again resist and keep the Devil,
father of all sins and terror, who would have regained his illusive nature, at
bay.
The implication is
farfetched that enmity and aggressiveness towards the Devil, who is guaranteed
life until the end of time, should and need not go beyond the tiny pebble
throw. Islam would seem to have recognized the natural passionate enmity
towards the Devil to have provided for the symbolic throw albeit and only at a
time he would have been defeated at Mount Arafat. Making the caste symbolic and
only when the Devil appears weak and subdued diminishes the potency and
relevance of any physical aggression as a solution to his wanton possession or
intrusion into the privacy of souls. The simple exercise also demonstrates the
futility in going beyond such to satisfy enmity instincts against him or any
other enemy for that matter via a wild goose chase. Going beyond the throw of
pebbles, therefore to demonstrate enmity against any other mortal or being
further becomes too remote to reality of a sound religious solution to evil.
The same mortal could only have been afflicted by the father of all evils ie
the Shaitan who only springs back afterwards. The narration has simply left
religion in the hand of its Owner just as its propagation no more beyond the
obvious life and pattern of the Messenger of Allah swt. Islam is not an orphan
as to require violence and extremism to promote it. Surah 6 vs 29 (Holy Quran)
says “O mankind you are the needy towards Allah and Allah is the rich and self
sustaining.) No true religion should require such if indeed the Lord oversees
its prosperity. Any wild goose chase beyond the traditional dos and don’ts,
orthodox and established pattern of keeping away from Devil through patience
and perseverance known to the Muslim Umma from times immemorial can only
consume victims upon victims while leaving out the main culprit Devil who is
most deserving of blame for every terror and aggression. The Lord has reserved
the punishment of the Devil to Himself alone and at his own time. Human
terrorism and its manifestations in today’s modern presentations cannot but be
alien to Islamic teachings. And as it is, the Umma is losing both the good and
the bad without any preservation, restoration or restitution plan of action or
prospects.
Islamic Sources Are Dorminant To A Fault
Islamic sources
have widely enumerated the futility of exterminating evil as the Devil has been
promised an extended life to the end times. Nay Islamic positions on war and
its authorized limits must remain as constant as the immemorially constant
procedures known to it over time in history and behavior. Innovations should
rightly be ascribed to modernity and other non constant dogma prevalent
elsewhere. Man is only required to worship and conform to Islam after seeing
the light for his own salvation and that of his brethren who willfully accept
to belong. Were the carriage of religion and its flourish left with mankind the
prophets and the clergy would probably have been guaranteed long lives to
ensure survival of faiths. The principle negates same futility in forceful
conveyance of the message to unintended brethrens. Without any tangible self
guarantee for paradise given by any Islamic source, it is most foolish for an
individual to purify himself by guaranteeing it to himself through sending his
own self to heaven as if another chance avails. Assuming his assumption is even
right as to martyrdom of his suicide mission, who confirms that his intention,
motive and sacrifice is admitted over there across the board. Meanwhile Surah
35 vs 15 says “Whoever strives only strives for himself and Allah is self
sufficient from his creations. “
It behooves that
suicide as a practice is alien to Muslims and Muslim communities until the
emergence of the strange modern terrorism ascribed to Islam. If suicide is ordinarily uncommon among
Muslim communities all the while, how did it become its character over night in
warfare? The search for the truth needs to be redirected elsewhere either to
overzealous new converts who will not subject themselves to be tutored before
claiming the right to lead and interpret Islam or the faithful left uneducated
for too long as to have found something else to set them up. It is for this
analogy that traditional Muslims must rise up to groom new converts in to Islam
no matter the level of Western or other educational qualifications they have
acquired before their conversion. Muslims must also take serious exceptions
when asked to step aside by secular or non Muslim structures in the fight
against terrorist activities carried out in the name of Islam. Such stepping
aside only marginalizes the true teachings and sound character of a Muslim to
oblivion. Consequently Islamic principles insist that converts and Muslims generally
should be humble enough to respect the pattern of conveyance, practices and
interpretations derived from earliest, inherited and established sources.
Indications abound that Innovative interpretations could also have been
introduced by sinister sources outside the Islamic fold to have helped the BH
formed up their compulsive propagation methods. Considering the age brackets of
the youth involved, it could be revealing to also explore the uses,
availability and sources of illicit drugs and intoxicants in and around the
infested areas along with the sources of arms and ammunition supply to the BH
groups.
KSA Armed Forces Role And The Hajj Rites Narrative
More astonishing
to the description of Muslim terror on the Devil as composed in the Hajj rites
above is the sight of the Kindom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)military being put to
ensure that the Devil as symbolized by the jam rats is not abused with greater
passion than ascribed by the Sharia law. It would seem there too that the
Kingdom police have been overwhelmed by the passionate enmity against the Devil
as to have made the KSA to hand over the operations to the military. The
struggle for the pebble throwing used to be a herculean congregation that
confirms many dead every year no matter the elaborate arrangements until their
Army Engineers took it up. This year the KSA was able to construct a giant
structure of six different entrances and exits as designed by their military,
occupying three floors and different routes in and out to have overcome difficulties
in the struggle for the congregational throw at the Devil. The military has
solved the century old problem with the elaborate modern outfit that is
obviously well funded and built with enough command discretionary powers to
turn it around no matter the challenges.
One could not hold
his owe to see a Brig Gen in command of the Infantry soldiers, having
successfully secured lives and the operations itself, yet having extra time to
line up in files and be sprinkling ice water on worn out pilgrims who were
passing to and fro under the scorching heat. Hardly does any death or injury
now arise from the struggle to dispel at the symbolic sight of the Devil. Even
the handicapped and the aged freely access the jam rats in convoys, packets or
even unattended. This is bound to ensure harmony between military operations
and civil cooperation even beyond the Hajj rites. The harmony that helps out to
caste at the Devil is certain to also ward of all conflicts as all of it
originate from the same Devil. It is a demonstration of how Military civic and
civil cooperation is vital to all sustainable peace. Meanwhile I was only
opportune to have observed and relate the Hajj experience because I was retired
from the military last year. It is doubtful if any Nigerian soldier, airman or
rating was able to make the hajj this year due to ban on leave and passes
consequent upon the BH scourge and the attendant insecurity envisaged. The
corresponding role of the KSA military in paving way for the Devil to be shown
his worth and its collateral advantage to harmonious military -civil alliance
against common identified enemy and source of all terror would have been an
experience worth the while in our fight against the BH. Depending on the
counter Insurgency narrative employed by the Government against BH, one would
have thought that sending Nigerian soldiers to experience Hajj this time around
would be integrated with the counter insurgency programme for its beneficial
effect.
Futility And Inequitty In Secular Counter Narratives Against
The Bh
Back home to the
notorious BH saga, one is tempted to ask as to which ideological narration the
Federal Government used or is using to counter the BH ideas. The military would
seem to have adopted a tit for tat operational procedure as far as the mode of
combat is concerned. Some unethical operational procedures can morally be
defended when carried out by the military in retaliatory posture or in
operational self defense mode. The use and abuse of the media by the BH in the
operational psychology must equally be contained with similar posture no matter
the distress to best practices. But what is the equivalent counter narrative
used for the BH ideology itself? Can there be any counter narrative to the BH
dogma better or more effective than the tested narratives of the likes of the
Senior Lecturer (now in hiding)or late Sheikh Jaafar (of blessed memory)who
blew the initial whistle to the authorities against the dangers posed by the
Group. Late Albany in Zaria more recently and seemingly fell together with his
own narrative. The irony in the war against BH is not primarily in the
vulnerability and losses of those endowed with sound counter narratives but in
the non adoption of either by the Government in its counter insurgency
operations. No matter the secular disposition of Nigerian operatives, the
Government cannot run away from taking up positive Muslim narratives in order
to promote common good among Muslim groups and the nation in general. The
Islamic sources are constant and efforts should be made in such a way that
nothing or no one should take advantage of the situation to drive an entirely
new objective to fill in the gap. The book ‘Where I Stand’ laid beautiful
premise thus “there are no barriers really separating the various Muslim groups
except those of ignorance.” {Epilogue pg 212}
CONCLUSION
Could the
Government have been fighting the BH all the while without a counter
ideological narrative to sustain the operation against the BH? Can a secular
narrative conjured by the security network, or exigently created, improve the
success or retrogress the war against the Group that profess purely faith based
objectives. Where and how involved are the official Nigerian Islamic heritage,
the Penal codes, the home grown extant Sharia and its constitutional content,
the Maliki law teachings within the Nigerian legal and educational systems from
time immemorial, the Qadis and Grand Qadis of our justice system etc. How much
have they been employed or adopted to counter the BH separatist dogma in
complimentary role to the war effort? It is certain that exploits in this
direction, and refreshing of those kept in limbo are key to the successful
counter insurgency operations and what it takes to attain sustainable dialogue
worth the while to end the BH crises.
Any secular
narrative outside the orthodox Islam known to Nigeria in official and cultural
circle would certainly only trespass on the majority of Muslims who are
conformists and law abiding. It is common knowledge that civilian and innocent
casualty are in tons. While religion under our constitution must keep its
bounds, secularity should also project to the extent that it does not encroach
on the rights and liberties of recognized faiths and liberty of religions.
Where as in the case of BH Islam is trespassed upon and Muslims forming the
main complainants, the State can only use Islam at first instance to regain its
liberty the while restitution is primarily to the established Muslim ideology
and character. Use of any other idea, ideology or secular thoughts in the
overall solution to the BH insurgency will only take the efforts so far put in
to disarray thereby compounding the near catastrophe. A redirection of
initiative towards the concept conversed above is certain to bring back instant
results that have so far eluded the long drawn fight against the BH insurgency.
Credit to GEN ABDULQADIR ABUBAKAR GUMI
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