It is surprising that a nation currently undergoing security challenges such as insurgency, kidnapping, militancy and the likes can be hurt from an intentional attempt to steer commotion by a supposedly guided, but misguided section of our nation. At a time like this when every government and non-governmental establishments are on red alert due to their safety, nothing should be the role of every responsible and conscious citizen of our beloved country than to help them in that regard.
University of Ilorin is a well- known institution that gives zero tolerance to acts ranging from cultism, thuggery, immorality and insecurity among other forms of anti-social vices. Not only that, it has been playing a pivotal role in maintaining that every sections in the school is safe. Starting from the entrance of the school, that is few kilometers from the main school area, you would be subjected to a thorough search that doesn’t exclude your vehicle. Not only that, you would also identify yourself with a valid identity card which is your visa into the school compound. Mind you, the security alertness doesn’t only stop at that as you would constantly be under the watchful eyes of security personnel, both in uniform and mufti.
It is, however, dumbfounding and uncalled for that a scrupulous microscopic part of the whole entity of Nigeria, who because of his/her personal interest in causing commotion can put pen to paper and write malicious information about the better by far university that has been the envy of all due to its excellence in all facets of academic and moral endeavors.
Identified as ‘’Biola Azeez’’, he/she wrote in the Sunday, July 20, 2014 edition of the Nigerian Tribune that: “Religious fundamentalists invade UNILORIN. No, they are mere Muslim youths”. Nothing can justify this lackadaisical attitude than the fact that whoever he/she is, his/her intention is to disrupt the peaceful coexistence that is being enjoyed by adherents of both Islam and Christianity in the university and the country at large. Apart from the fact that the university has an interreligious council that takes care of all affairs that affects faithful of both religions, it has made sure that the dress codes, as stipulated by any religion is practiced by its adherents without molestation, as no religion supports lewd and immoral dressing. This is just to mention a few.
An act that can be judged as the peak of treason and conspiracy one does against his/ her country is exemplified in the contents of the said write-up, as it is based on an erroneous investigation. Therein, he /she quoted the Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdul Ganiyy Oladosu. On inquiry from him, he was not aware of such development. The imam, who was utterly surprised on hearing the new development, blatantly refuted the claim has he said no one has asked him about things like that.
Furthermore, the writer proceeded in launching an offensive attack on the image of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Unilorin Branch, whose headquarters is situated inside the central mosque in the school, by stating that membership are been called for therein. Just a visit to the central mosque would convince the doubting Thomas that the Muslim students association that is being castigated preaches nothing but the pristine Islam that is being sent by Allah through the prophet (S.A.W). It is, therefore, pertinent to note that MSSN doesn’t fraternize, for all Muslim students on campus are automatic members of the society.
On the issue of cutting of trousers and forbidding taking pictures, the writer, who succeeded in painting the picture the bad way, as that has been the norms of some journalists against the doctrines of Islam, should be aware that it is the tradition of the prophet that the trousers of the male should not exceed the ankles. Nobody can refute that fact as it has been so since the advent of Islam. Same thing applies to the taking of pictures as scholars of Islam frown against that act. Meanwhile, the picture in question is that of human beings.
However, if the writer doesn’t know the meaning of fundamentalism, he/she might get the 7th edition of the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary which puts the meaning as: ‘’the practice of following very strictly, the basic rules and teachings of any religion’’. A person with the right control of English grammar would not dispute the fact that, according to the definition of fundamentalism, that one who refrains from the practice of fundamental principles of any religion is out of such religion.
Your being a Muslim is, however, the practice of its fundamental principle. There is a distinct difference between insurgency and fundamentalism. I hope the writer gets that well.
In conclusion, the general public should be aware of people like Biola Azeez, as they are agents of destruction who find joy in disrupting the peaceful coexistence of any setting. This, however, states that the accusation leveled against the school, the Muslim community and the Muslim students’ society on campus is baseless and can lead to a fracas among innocent people, if the information gets into wrong hands. We are Muslims and we preach peace so that our nation that is bound in freedom, peace and unity would not be divided because of the personal propagation of a propaganda that can lead to a lot of brouhaha.
