SIR: I have read with keen interest the article written by former Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Peter Akinola (The Guardian, January 1, 2012). It is fascinating and one agrees with all he has said but only to assert that the Holy Qur’an is very much in favour of Christians.

This reality is yet to be admitted by Muslims (all over the world) despite relevant passages in the Holy Book to that effect. Gone are the days when the Book was only available in hand-written form and those possessing it were only limited to religious leaders – particularly Imams. In order to propagate Islam, other faiths had to be condemned including Christianity.

But God, the Almighty (Al-Aziz) and All knowing (Al-Alim) had envisaged such a development by succeeding generation after the Prophet – SAW. They deliberately hide the injunctions that adherents should treat Christians as equals. In order to achieve their desire, they had to spread this hatred for Christians in the name of God.

However, there is also a stern warning (16:16) not to use God’s name falsely in winning converts. An immutable curse (with dire consequences) was caused to be entrenched in the Qur’an but it is not being countenanced by those who are still bent in portraying Christians as Infidels – Kafris.

The following passages are pointers to the high esteem in which God has placed Christians:-

•  Chapter 3:55 is a covenant between God and Jesus with His followers and all other  injunctions are subordinate to it. It is a direct message to all Muslims and it is devoid of any ambiguity. Unfortunately, Christians are still regarded as non-entities (not nonentities) in Islamic World. The only country which gives Christian latitude for freedom of religion is Turkey.

• In chapter 5:5, Muslims are given the go ahead to inter-marry with Christians; they are also encouraged to interact (socialisation) with them thus bringing rapport among adherents of the two faiths.

Islam and Christianity derive from one God and this is clearly stated in chapter 29:49. Going by the above sections of the Holy Qur’an, (and as far as God is concerned) Christians are not “Kafris” as many have been made to believe. However, those who claim to be ignorant of the existence of the above injunctions need to go back to the Qur’an to update their knowledge  – the Book has nothing ulterior to say about Christians.

As at last year (according to a publication – Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review) the Qur’an is available in about 112 languages. In Nigeria, it is in circulation in English, Hausa and Yoruba. Unfortunately, the number of adherents literate enough to read in any of the last two translations are few and far between. As a result they rely on what their clerics (Ulama and Imams) dish out to them and they are thus handicapped to challenge them for any misdirection.

One would like to suggest that churches in the North should erect sign-boards with the above three messages to Muslims in Hausa and Arabic languages. This is to reveal what has been hidden to less privileged adherents who are made to commit atrocities against Christians. Then, they would be in position to say “teacher, don’t teach me nonsense” – apology to late Fela Anikulapo Kuti

It is also the height of hypocrisy for religious leaders in this country to pretend or feign ignorance of OIC connection in respect of what is happening in this country. OIC announced with glee in Karachi in 1993 of its supporting, sponsoring and financing terrorist organisations around the world.

Nigerian Muslims should emulate their counter-parts in Turkey where freedom of religion is the vogue. It is a non-Arab country dominated by Muslim – (about 96 per cent) and also a founding member of OIC. Yet, it has nothing to do with Arabised version of Sharia (as being practised in Nigeria) but operates strictly according to Sharia set down in the Qur’an.

Turkey has no room for religious fundamentalists and religious crisis is nipped in the bud because it embraces secularism as a form of governance.

Kolawole Akinwande
Source: Guardian