| Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Demmzy15(m): 3:11pm On May 05, 2016 |
Written by MICHAEL O. MADUAGWU, PHD
ABSTRACT
There are two main religions in Nigeria today, Islam and Christianity. Generally, it is assumed that while the North is predominantly Islamic, Southern Nigeria is predominantly Christian, although there are some significant numbers of Christians in some parts of North as there are also significant Muslims among the Yorubas in the then Western Region of Nigeria. On the other hand, it is still generally believed, at least on paper, that Islam is nonexistent in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria. The reality, however, is that Islam is gradually gaining foothold in the latter, including the Igboland. In fact, some Igbo scholars are now concerned that the coming of Islam to Igboland portends “a danger to Igbo interest and survival” (Nnorom 2003). Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was credited with a statement in 1947 to the effect that but for the British the Muslims would have continued their jihad conquest of Southern Nigeria. Today, it would seem that what the North could not achieve through jihad it is now accomplishing by peaceful proselytizing of Islam.
This paper sets out from the premise that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, including its peaceful propagation. It argues that if Islam is peacefully spreading to Eastern Region it would be an interesting development which could lead to more tolerance between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. The question, however, is whether Islam, especially given its doctrine of sharia, would be able to adapt to the culture of that area. The paper, therefore, addresses the prospects of Islam in Eastern Region of Nigeria vis-à-vis the Igbo culture.
THE EMERGENCE OF ISLAM IN IGBO LAND
For the ordinary Igbo person, Islam is a strange religion in Igboland. The general belief is that if the religion exists there at all, it is only being practiced by the Hausa-Fulani strangers in the Igboland. It would seem that the reality on ground today shows otherwise. Nnorom (2003) paints this picture:
… while Ndigbo are being religiously, ethnically and economically cleansed from the predominantly Islamic states of Nigeria, Igbo Imams, Sheiks, Alahajis (sic), Alhajas and mosques, once few and exotic, are now a common sight in one of the most homogeneous Christian regions in Africa.
In fact there is evidence to show that Islam might have been planted in Igboland by an Igbo Muslim as far back as 1957, even before Nigeria’s Independence (Ottenberg 1971 quoted in Nnorom 2003). According to Ottenberg as recounted by Nnorom (2003), it was one Okpani Egwani of Anohia village of Afikpo in the present day Ebonyi State who had brought Islam to that village. Egwani had been away from his village for several years. The villagers had believed that he was dead and had even performed funeral rites for him. However, as it turned out, Egwani had joined the Nigerian army in 1944. After his discharge he stayed in Lagos and was converted to Islam. He was said to have travelled far and wide, visiting such countries as Egypt, Gabon and the Congo. He joined the Islamic sect of Tijaniyya. When he returned to his village in 1957, he was said to have come in a company of some Muslim strangers from the North who assisted him to establish Islam in his village. Egwani had changed his name to Alhaji Ibrahim.
As would be expected, the initial attempt to establish Islam in Afikpo met with serious resistance. The villagers ridiculed the converts. However, the seed of Islamic religion had been sown in that area.
According to a recent studies (Nnorom 2003; Uchendu 2010) Islam is gaining strong foothold in many parts of Igboland. Nsukka is said to have 14 mosques and therefore “undoubtedly the Islamic capital of AlaIgbo [Igboland]” (Nnorom 2003). Two institutions have been identified as playing major roles in the propagation of Islam in Igboland. There is the educational institution known as Jama-al-Nazral School, said to be originally based in Enugu but has been moved to Ntezi village in outskirts of Afikpo where it has existed for nine years. Nnorom (2003) claims that “No connection has been established between this institution and the remnants of the Anohia Islamic community.”
As at 2003, Jama-al-Nazral School is said to have 500 students selected only from Igbo-speaking States of Nigeria. It awards scholarships to all its students, from kindergarten to high school and offers lessons in secular subjects as well as in Arabic and Islamic studies. The female students dress in traditional Islamic style and are separated from the males. The males also dress in traditional Hausa/Arabic long clothing.
The Jama-al-Nazral School is said to have no sign in front of the property to indicate its name, affiliation or mission. It is claimed that it is being funded by Saudi Arabia. The majority of the teachers are said to be foreign although the School was being headed as at 2003 by one Alhaji Haruna Ajali from Afikpo.
Most of the teachers are said to be nationals of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India and are recruited from Kaduna.
One other prominent Islamic educational institution in Igboland is the Al-Haudaa Muslim School in Enugu. This school is said to have been established in 1990 by Igbo Muslims in Enugu and was approved by the former Anambra State Government. As at 2003, it had 150 students, ages 3 – 12. Like Nazral, Al-Haudaa awards scholarships to all its students. However, unlike Nazral most of its teachers are Igbo. It is said that “about 90% of the teachers at the Islamic School in Enugu are Christian” (Nnorom 2003). The teachers are said to be paid higher salary than their counterparts in public schools and are allowed to practice their Christian religion. The school authorities were unwilling to reveal the sources of funding of the school, although one of them claimed that it was being funded by “Moslem authorities” (Nnorom 2003).
The Chief Imam of the school as at 2003 was Igbo while his Deputy was Yoruba.
The story of the propagation of Islam in Igboland would not be complete without mentioning some prominent Igbo Muslim leaders. Most prominent was the late Alhaji Suleiman Onyeama who until his death several years ago was the chairman of the Jama’atul Nasril Islamiyya (Society for the Victory of Islam) of Enugu State. Currently, two of the most well known Igbo Muslims are Alhaji Abdulaziz Ude and Alhaji Yahaya Ndu (Nnorom 2003). The latter from Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State was the Presidential Candidate of the African Renaissance Party (ARP) in 2003. The Chief Imam of the mosque at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is Sheik Adamu Abdullahi Idoko from Nsukka. Nsukka is reputed to be the key base of Islamic expansionism in Igboland (Nnorom 2003). Then Alhaji Dauda Oneagocha is the Chief Imam of the Owerri main mosque in Imo State, which is located near the Government House. Although the controversial Senator Arthur Nzeribe has not yet officially converted to Islam, he is said to be one of the benefactors of Imo State Muslim community. He is alleged to have donated N5 million toward the construction of the Owerri Mosque (Nnorom 2003).
In terms of the population of Igbo Muslims, this is rather controversial. An interesting article about the Igbos and Islamic religion has this title: “Islam Does Not Belong to Them” (Anthony 2000). The import of this title could be that the number of Igbo Muslims is so insignificant that it is not worth noting. This may explain why there was no statistics of the population of Igbo Muslims among the listing of the populations of the larger ethnic groups in Nigeria in the current World Christian Database (quoted in Wikipedia 2010; see the Appendix). However, the 25 October 1993 edition of the Nigerian news magazine, Citizen carried a cover story on the “Igbo Muslims” (Akoshile and Ummuna 1993). Alhaji Suleiman Onyeama, then Chairman of Jama’atul Nasril Islamiyya, Enugu State, claimed that there were between 6,000 and 10,000 Muslims in the State at the time. Even if the upper limit of this number was accurate and exclusively Igbo, it would still be insignificant in a population of 3.1 million, as the 1991 Census had put Enugu State.
It would seem that the current Igbo Muslim leaders are not very forthcoming on the statistics of their members. Nnorom (2003), states that the Igbo Muslim leaders were not willing to reveal vital information on their religion, including the size of their membership. Efforts to get the statistics of the current Igbo Muslims by this writer also proved abortive. One Alhaji Suleiman Ogah, the Chairman of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board of Ebonyi State, could not provide any statistics on the Muslims in the South-Eastern States nor even of Ebonyi State, only saying that research was still ongoing and would be provided when completed.
However, regardless of the numbers, one thing is certain about Islam in Igboland. It is making inroads there and the number of Igbos embracing Islam is increasing. In fact, sooner than later, Igbo Muslims would no longer have to hide their identities by adopting Hausa or Arabic names or even clothing. This was the case of the first generation of Igbo converts to Islam in Northern Nigeria who had to “Hausanise” themselves (Anthony 2000: 427).
But is this a plausible forecast or should Igbos organize and prevent the peaceful Islamic evangelization in Igboland? What are the prospects for the survival of Islam in Igboland?
Islam in Igboland: To be or Not to Be?
For the generality of the Igbo people, the two major religions in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity have also ethnic identities, Islam being the religion of the Northerners or Hausa-Fulani while Christianity is for the people of Southern Nigeria. Not many Igbos are aware that there are as many Yoruba Muslims, or even more, as there are Yoruba Christians. Again, not many Igbos realize that there are also large populations of other ethnic groups in Northern Nigeria, other than Hausa-Fulani, who are Christians or Muslims, to say nothing of the fact that there are also some Hausa-Fulani who are Christians.
This perception about the religious-cum-ethnic divides in Nigeria was especially pronounced in the 1960s. Thus, Ojukwu (1969) in the famous “Ahiara Declaration” during the Nigeria-Biafra war could assert:
The Biafran struggle is, on another plane, a resistance to the Arab-Muslim expansionism which has menaced and ravaged the African continent for twelve centuries.
Our Biafran ancestors remained immune from the Islamic contagion. From the middle years of the last century Christianity was established in our land. In this way we came to be predominantly Christian people. We came to stand out as a non-Muslim island in a raging Islamic sea.
Throughout the ill-fated Nigerian experiment, the Muslims hoped to infiltrate Biafra by peaceful means and quiet propaganda, but failed. Then the late Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto, tried by political and economic blackmail … to convert Biafrans settled in Northern Nigeria to Islam. His hope was that these Biafrans of dispersion would then carry Islam to Biafra, and by so doing give the religion political control of the area.
It would seem that the phobia about Islam is still widely felt by many Igbo people, including scholars, as has been passionately presented by Nnorom (2003). Indeed, Nnorom (2003) has used Ojukwu’s statement to buttress his proposition that Igboland is the land of Christianity and should not be allowed Islamic penetration. Of course Ojukwu’s statement is more of propaganda than anything else. He knew more than anybody that the Nigerian-Biafra war was not a war between Northern Muslims versus Igbo Christians. Gowon, the Nigerian Head of State at the time is a Christian as were many of the Nigerian soldiers.
It is true that until recently, Islam was virtually non-existent in Igboland. However, history is not static. Nigeria is no longer as religiously, culturally or even ethnically as compartmentalized as was the case 50 years ago. It should, therefore, not be surprising that Islam is now being openly embraced both by some Igbos living in Northern Nigeria (Anthony 2000) and also some Igbos in Igboland (Nnorom 2003; Uchendu 2010).
The answer to the Shakespearean question above is simply yes. Both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. As long there is no compulsion, Nigerians are free to belong to any religion; to change their religion and to propagate their religion. Indeed, the Nigerian Constitutions of 1979 and 1999 have provisions encouraging associations, including marriages, across religious and ethnic divides in order to promote national unity and integration.
In recent times, there has been upsurge of ethno-religious conflicts in Northern Nigeria, especially Plateau State. The Plateau State crisis is becoming protracted and difficult to resolve. Perhaps what has exacerbated the crisis in Plateau State could be said to be the fact that the two protagonist groups, the Hausa-Fulani on the one hand and the Beroms and other ethnic groups on the Plateau, on the other hand, predominantly belong to the two religions, Islam and Christianity, respectively. That is why once the crisis erupts, it easily takes religious colouration. Would the crisis in Plateau State have been so intense and protracted if there were no sharp religious divide between the Plateau people and the Hausa-Fulani? Obviously not!
I would argue that if Islam succeeds in Igboland, it would contribute to the polarization of Islam among the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Then, contrary to the fears being expressed, in some quarters, the polarization of Islamic and Christian religions in Igboland and across Nigeria would lead to more religious tolerance than to religious crisis in the future generations.
With regard to compatibility of Islam with Igbo culture, this is an open question. Those who argue that Igboland is or should be a Christian society may have forgotten that when Christianity first came to Igboland, things fell apart. If Christianity has succeeded in Igboland, it could only be because it has learnt to adapt and assimilate the Igbo culture. The same would apply to Islam or any other religion that wishes to survive in Igboland. The Igbo Muslims would be advised to look up to the Yoruba Muslims if they hope that Islam would survive in Igboland. In fact, the rest of Nigerians would be advised to study and emulate the religious candour of the Yoruba. 1 Like |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Demmzy15(m): 3:14pm On May 05, 2016 |
CONCLUSION Until recently, and even presently to some extent, it is unthinkable that an Igbo person could become a Muslim. The first generation of few Igbo who converted to Islam did so in Northern Nigeria. They hid their Igbo identity by adopting Hausa (or Arabic?) first and surnames; they also adopted Hausa mode of dressing and other mannerisms. They had to disassociate themselves from Igbo meetings and unions in the North and had little or no contacts with their home people. That was before the Nigerian civil war. The second generation of converts were also mainly in the North. Some of these were bold enough to maintain their Igbo identities by retaining their Igbo surnames while adopting Hausa first names. Some also registered with Igbo unions in the North. The latter did not feel compelled to Hausanise. A new development is that Igbo converts to Islam are no longer confined to the North. Islam is gradually penetrating Igboland, hitherto thought to be exclusive domain of Christianity. Some Igbo people are alarmed at the prospect of Islam having a foothold in Igboland. They believe this is dangerous for Igbo culture. This way of thinking corresponds to the historical reality of how Islam and Christianity came to Nigeria. Islam and Christianity evolved in such a way that they became identified with particular ethnic groups. The major exception is the religious experience of the Yoruba. Among the Yoruba due to historical factors, as we have seen, could be found, almost in equal numbers, both Muslims and Christians. This paper argues that, provided Islam is being peacefully propagated in Igboland, its coming to Igboland should not be seen as portending any danger. In fact the outcome of such a development could be positive for future generations of Nigerians. For, if many Igbos embrace Islam, sooner or later neither Islam nor Christianity would be exclusively identified with any particular ethnic groups in Nigeria. Such a development would eventually lead to more peaceful coexistence and tolerance among all the various ethnic groups in Nigeria. This is the prognosis about Islam and Christianity in Nigeria. http://www.egodiuchendu.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54:igbo-culture-and-the-prospects-of-islam-in-eastern-nigeria&catid=5:papers&Itemid=11 2 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by geez18(m): 3:36pm On May 05, 2016 |
islam has been shown,over and over again,to be a violent religion.the igbos are not a violent group so your suggestion in your last paragraph that the religion if adopted by the igbos may be of benefit to future generations is both absurd and ridiculous and my advice to you is that you go peddle that trash elsewhere! 8 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Lilimax(f): 3:44pm On May 05, 2016 |
Demmzy15:
Not many Igbos are aware that there are as many Yoruba Muslims, or even more, as there are Yoruba Christians. Again, not many Igbos realize that there are also large populations of other ethnic groups in Northern Nigeria, other than Hausa-Fulani, who are Christians or Muslims, to say nothing of the fact that there are also some Hausa-Fulani who are Christians. So true! |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Lilimax(f): 3:53pm On May 05, 2016 |
Good write up @ OP. However, I'm afraid Islam will be accepted in the South East wholeheartedly. No thanks to what the Islamic Bokoharam are doing all over the country and their subtle way of exterminating Christians in different parts of the country  Islam as a religion is widely known to be a very violent religion that thrives in wars, beheading and killings etc; Not to talk about their oppression of women folks.... Abeg, make dem check another region  3 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Demmzy15(m): 4:08pm On May 05, 2016 |
Lilimax:
Good write up @ OP. However, I'm afraid Islam will be accepted in the South East wholeheartedly. No thanks to what the Islamic Bokoharam are doing all over the country and their subtle way of exterminating Christians in different parts of the country
Islam as a religion is widely known to be a very violent religion that thrives in wars, beheading and killings etc; Not to talk about their oppression of women folks....
Abeg, make dem check another region Good day sis, I can proudly tell you that whatever you mentioned up there is all misconceptions. One thing you must note is that, this terrorists have killed more Muslims than Christians. In fact they started killing Muslims even before Christians, this is a fact. Concerning your other misconceptions, if you need an answer, I'll provide one for you.
I hope you'll become a Muslim someday! 3 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Annunaki(m): 7:33pm On May 05, 2016 |
Demmzy15:
Good day sis, I can proudly tell you that whatever you mentioned up there is all misconceptions. One thing you must note is that, this terrorists have killed more Muslims than Christians. In fact they started killing Muslims even before Christians, this is a fact. Concerning your other misconceptions, if you need an answer, I'll provide one for you.
I hope you'll become a Muslim someday! Al taquiya nonsense, muslims have bbeen slaughtering themselves since the death of their evil prophet so it's no big deal that boko haram kills fellow muslims. The fact that mohammed was himself a notorious terrorist, armed robber and rapist proves to all that it's the bokko haram that are truly following his footsteps and thus real muslims. 3 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Annunaki(m): 7:38pm On May 05, 2016 |
Demmzy15:
Good day sis, I can proudly tell you that whatever you mentioned up there is all misconceptions. One thing you must note is that, this terrorists have killed more Muslims than Christians. In fact they started killing Muslims even before Christians, this is a fact. Concerning your other misconceptions, if you need an answer, I'll provide one for you.
I hope you'll become a Muslim someday! Meanwhile your Op is full of lies errors and assumptions. Islam is almost non existent in igboland. My igbo people are too exposed and enlightened to accept such a satanic and backward religion like islam.  the few that pretend to accept it, do it only for financial gain. 1 Like |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Demmzy15(m): 8:30pm On May 05, 2016 |
Annunaki:
Meanwhile your Op is full of lies errors and assumptions. At least it wasn't written by a Muslims but by a Christian PhD holder. Anything post that doesn't favor your view is errors and assumptions, but a God demanding 32 virgins isn't an error!  Islam is almost non existent in igboland. It's people like you who would continue to spread this propaganda that Ibo Muslims don't exist, when in fact they're in thousands if not in millions. They've been existing for like 100years now! Go to Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi, you'll find Islamic madrassas built by Ibo Muslims who studied in Saudi Arabia harboring thousands of students, continue living in denial! My igbo people are too exposed and enlightened to accept such a satanic and backward religion like islam. the few that pretend to accept it, do it only for financial gain. Keep repeating the same old boring garbage that they convert for money, don't you have shame? It's a known fact that Christians convert for materialistic gains, they've done it here in Nigeria. One of the men that brought Islam to Ebonyi state converted in Senegal, I wonder which cash dey Senegal. Mr man wake up from your slumber, Islam is growing and there's nothing you can do about it, all you can do is to wail! 2 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Amberon: 8:36pm On May 05, 2016 |
balderdash! Hate is a good word for what the igbos feel about Islam. 1 Like |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Amberon: 8:37pm On May 05, 2016 |
balderdash! Hate is a good word for what the igbos feel about Islam.
One of their proposed plans about Biafra is that there will be zero (0) mosques there.
Dream on!! 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by truthman2012(m): 9:09pm On May 05, 2016 |
Demmzy15:
Written by MICHAEL O. MADUAGWU, PHD
ABSTRACT
There are two main religions in Nigeria today, Islam and Christianity. Generally, it is assumed that while the North is predominantly Islamic, Southern Nigeria is predominantly Christian, although there are some significant numbers of Christians in some parts of North as there are also significant Muslims among the Yorubas in the then Western Region of Nigeria. On the other hand, it is still generally believed, at least on paper, that Islam is nonexistent in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria. The reality, however, is that Islam is gradually gaining foothold in the latter, including the Igboland. In fact, some Igbo scholars are now concerned that the coming of Islam to Igboland portends “a danger to Igbo interest and survival” (Nnorom 2003). Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was credited with a statement in 1947 to the effect that but for the British the Muslims would have continued their jihad conquest of Southern Nigeria. Today, it would seem that what the North could not achieve through jihad it is now accomplishing by peaceful proselytizing of Islam.
This paper sets out from the premise that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, including its peaceful propagation. It argues that if Islam is peacefully spreading to Eastern Region it would be an interesting development which could lead to more tolerance between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. The question, however, is whether Islam, especially given its doctrine of sharia, would be able to adapt to the culture of that area. The paper, therefore, addresses the prospects of Islam in Eastern Region of Nigeria vis-à-vis the Igbo culture.
THE EMERGENCE OF ISLAM IN IGBO LAND
For the ordinary Igbo person, Islam is a strange religion in Igboland. The general belief is that if the religion exists there at all, it is only being practiced by the Hausa-Fulani strangers in the Igboland. It would seem that the reality on ground today shows otherwise. Nnorom (2003) paints this picture:
… while Ndigbo are being religiously, ethnically and economically cleansed from the predominantly Islamic states of Nigeria, Igbo Imams, Sheiks, Alahajis (sic), Alhajas and mosques, once few and exotic, are now a common sight in one of the most homogeneous Christian regions in Africa.
In fact there is evidence to show that Islam might have been planted in Igboland by an Igbo Muslim as far back as 1957, even before Nigeria’s Independence (Ottenberg 1971 quoted in Nnorom 2003). According to Ottenberg as recounted by Nnorom (2003), it was one Okpani Egwani of Anohia village of Afikpo in the present day Ebonyi State who had brought Islam to that village. Egwani had been away from his village for several years. The villagers had believed that he was dead and had even performed funeral rites for him. However, as it turned out, Egwani had joined the Nigerian army in 1944. After his discharge he stayed in Lagos and was converted to Islam. He was said to have travelled far and wide, visiting such countries as Egypt, Gabon and the Congo. He joined the Islamic sect of Tijaniyya. When he returned to his village in 1957, he was said to have come in a company of some Muslim strangers from the North who assisted him to establish Islam in his village. Egwani had changed his name to Alhaji Ibrahim.
As would be expected, the initial attempt to establish Islam in Afikpo met with serious resistance. The villagers ridiculed the converts. However, the seed of Islamic religion had been sown in that area.
According to a recent studies (Nnorom 2003; Uchendu 2010) Islam is gaining strong foothold in many parts of Igboland. Nsukka is said to have 14 mosques and therefore “undoubtedly the Islamic capital of AlaIgbo [Igboland]” (Nnorom 2003). Two institutions have been identified as playing major roles in the propagation of Islam in Igboland. There is the educational institution known as Jama-al-Nazral School, said to be originally based in Enugu but has been moved to Ntezi village in outskirts of Afikpo where it has existed for nine years. Nnorom (2003) claims that “No connection has been established between this institution and the remnants of the Anohia Islamic community.”
As at 2003, Jama-al-Nazral School is said to have 500 students selected only from Igbo-speaking States of Nigeria. It awards scholarships to all its students, from kindergarten to high school and offers lessons in secular subjects as well as in Arabic and Islamic studies. The female students dress in traditional Islamic style and are separated from the males. The males also dress in traditional Hausa/Arabic long clothing.
The Jama-al-Nazral School is said to have no sign in front of the property to indicate its name, affiliation or mission. It is claimed that it is being funded by Saudi Arabia. The majority of the teachers are said to be foreign although the School was being headed as at 2003 by one Alhaji Haruna Ajali from Afikpo.
Most of the teachers are said to be nationals of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India and are recruited from Kaduna.
One other prominent Islamic educational institution in Igboland is the Al-Haudaa Muslim School in Enugu. This school is said to have been established in 1990 by Igbo Muslims in Enugu and was approved by the former Anambra State Government. As at 2003, it had 150 students, ages 3 – 12. Like Nazral, Al-Haudaa awards scholarships to all its students. However, unlike Nazral most of its teachers are Igbo. It is said that “about 90% of the teachers at the Islamic School in Enugu are Christian” (Nnorom 2003). The teachers are said to be paid higher salary than their counterparts in public schools and are allowed to practice their Christian religion. The school authorities were unwilling to reveal the sources of funding of the school, although one of them claimed that it was being funded by “Moslem authorities” (Nnorom 2003).
The Chief Imam of the school as at 2003 was Igbo while his Deputy was Yoruba.
The story of the propagation of Islam in Igboland would not be complete without mentioning some prominent Igbo Muslim leaders. Most prominent was the late Alhaji Suleiman Onyeama who until his death several years ago was the chairman of the Jama’atul Nasril Islamiyya (Society for the Victory of Islam) of Enugu State. Currently, two of the most well known Igbo Muslims are Alhaji Abdulaziz Ude and Alhaji Yahaya Ndu (Nnorom 2003). The latter from Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State was the Presidential Candidate of the African Renaissance Party (ARP) in 2003. The Chief Imam of the mosque at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is Sheik Adamu Abdullahi Idoko from Nsukka. Nsukka is reputed to be the key base of Islamic expansionism in Igboland (Nnorom 2003). Then Alhaji Dauda Oneagocha is the Chief Imam of the Owerri main mosque in Imo State, which is located near the Government House. Although the controversial Senator Arthur Nzeribe has not yet officially converted to Islam, he is said to be one of the benefactors of Imo State Muslim community. He is alleged to have donated N5 million toward the construction of the Owerri Mosque (Nnorom 2003).
In terms of the population of Igbo Muslims, this is rather controversial. An interesting article about the Igbos and Islamic religion has this title: “Islam Does Not Belong to Them” (Anthony 2000). The import of this title could be that the number of Igbo Muslims is so insignificant that it is not worth noting. This may explain why there was no statistics of the population of Igbo Muslims among the listing of the populations of the larger ethnic groups in Nigeria in the current World Christian Database (quoted in Wikipedia 2010; see the Appendix). However, the 25 October 1993 edition of the Nigerian news magazine, Citizen carried a cover story on the “Igbo Muslims” (Akoshile and Ummuna 1993). Alhaji Suleiman Onyeama, then Chairman of Jama’atul Nasril Islamiyya, Enugu State, claimed that there were between 6,000 and 10,000 Muslims in the State at the time. Even if the upper limit of this number was accurate and exclusively Igbo, it would still be insignificant in a population of 3.1 million, as the 1991 Census had put Enugu State.
It would seem that the current Igbo Muslim leaders are not very forthcoming on the statistics of their members. Nnorom (2003), states that the Igbo Muslim leaders were not willing to reveal vital information on their religion, including the size of their membership. Efforts to get the statistics of the current Igbo Muslims by this writer also proved abortive. One Alhaji Suleiman Ogah, the Chairman of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board of Ebonyi State, could not provide any statistics on the Muslims in the South-Eastern States nor even of Ebonyi State, only saying that research was still ongoing and would be provided when completed.
However, regardless of the numbers, one thing is certain about Islam in Igboland. It is making inroads there and the number of Igbos embracing Islam is increasing. In fact, sooner than later, Igbo Muslims would no longer have to hide their identities by adopting Hausa or Arabic names or even clothing. This was the case of the first generation of Igbo converts to Islam in Northern Nigeria who had to “Hausanise” themselves (Anthony 2000: 427).
But is this a plausible forecast or should Igbos organize and prevent the peaceful Islamic evangelization in Igboland? What are the prospects for the survival of Islam in Igboland?
Islam in Igboland: To be or Not to Be?
For the generality of the Igbo people, the two major religions in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity have also ethnic identities, Islam being the religion of the Northerners or Hausa-Fulani while Christianity is for the people of Southern Nigeria. Not many Igbos are aware that there are as many Yoruba Muslims, or even more, as there are Yoruba Christians. Again, not many Igbos realize that there are also large populations of other ethnic groups in Northern Nigeria, other than Hausa-Fulani, who are Christians or Muslims, to say nothing of the fact that there are also some Hausa-Fulani who are Christians.
This perception about the religious-cum-ethnic divides in Nigeria was especially pronounced in the 1960s. Thus, Ojukwu (1969) in the famous “Ahiara Declaration” during the Nigeria-Biafra war could assert:
The Biafran struggle is, on another plane, a resistance to the Arab-Muslim expansionism which has menaced and ravaged the African continent for twelve centuries.
Our Biafran ancestors remained immune from the Islamic contagion. From the middle years of the last century Christianity was established in our land. In this way we came to be predominantly Christian people. We came to stand out as a non-Muslim island in a raging Islamic sea.
Throughout the ill-fated Nigerian experiment, the Muslims hoped to infiltrate Biafra by peaceful means and quiet propaganda, but failed. Then the late Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto, tried by political and economic blackmail … to convert Biafrans settled in Northern Nigeria to Islam. His hope was that these Biafrans of dispersion would then carry Islam to Biafra, and by so doing give the religion political control of the area.
It would seem that the phobia about Islam is still widely felt by many Igbo people, including scholars, as has been passionately presented by Nnorom (2003). Indeed, Nnorom (2003) has used Ojukwu’s statement to buttress his proposition that Igboland is the land of Christianity and should not be allowed Islamic penetration. Of course Ojukwu’s statement is more of propaganda than anything else. He knew more than anybody that the Nigerian-Biafra war was not a war between Northern Muslims versus Igbo Christians. Gowon, the Nigerian Head of State at the time is a Christian as were many of the Nigerian soldiers.
It is true that until recently, Islam was virtually non-existent in Igboland. However, history is not static. Nigeria is no longer as religiously, culturally or even ethnically as compartmentalized as was the case 50 years ago. It should, therefore, not be surprising that Islam is now being openly embraced both by some Igbos living in Northern Nigeria (Anthony 2000) and also some Igbos in Igboland (Nnorom 2003; Uchendu 2010).
The answer to the Shakespearean question above is simply yes. Both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. As long there is no compulsion, Nigerians are free to belong to any religion; to change their religion and to propagate their religion. Indeed, the Nigerian Constitutions of 1979 and 1999 have provisions encouraging associations, including marriages, across religious and ethnic divides in order to promote national unity and integration.
In recent times, there has been upsurge of ethno-religious conflicts in Northern Nigeria, especially Plateau State. The Plateau State crisis is becoming protracted and difficult to resolve. Perhaps what has exacerbated the crisis in Plateau State could be said to be the fact that the two protagonist groups, the Hausa-Fulani on the one hand and the Beroms and other ethnic groups on the Plateau, on the other hand, predominantly belong to the two religions, Islam and Christianity, respectively. That is why once the crisis erupts, it easily takes religious colouration. Would the crisis in Plateau State have been so intense and protracted if there were no sharp religious divide between the Plateau people and the Hausa-Fulani? Obviously not!
I would argue that if Islam succeeds in Igboland, it would contribute to the polarization of Islam among the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Then, contrary to the fears being expressed, in some quarters, the polarization of Islamic and Christian religions in Igboland and across Nigeria would lead to more religious tolerance than to religious crisis in the future generations.
With regard to compatibility of Islam with Igbo culture, this is an open question. Those who argue that Igboland is or should be a Christian society may have forgotten that when Christianity first came to Igboland, things fell apart. If Christianity has succeeded in Igboland, it could only be because it has learnt to adapt and assimilate the Igbo culture. The same would apply to Islam or any other religion that wishes to survive in Igboland. The Igbo Muslims would be advised to look up to the Yoruba Muslims if they hope that Islam would survive in Igboland. In fact, the rest of Nigerians would be advised to study and emulate the religious candour of the Yoruba.
Trash !!! What does it profit you and the rest muslims if everybody becomes a muslim and goes to hell. Remember allahh promised all muslims hellfire immediately at death: Quran 3:185] Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion. The above verse shows that all muslims will go to hell as soon as they die, waiting for the Day of Resurrection before some will be removed and made to enter Paradise. This is a satanic lie as what qualifies you to go to hell in the first place will make you remain there forever. What will justify you in hell to qualify for Paradise later? Is that the situation you want the Igbos to join you ? Those who embraced Islam are those who are ignorant of the way the Devil operates. Muhammad's allahh is not the true God who wants everybody to go to hell. 1 Like 1 Share |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Naijacitizen(m): 9:46pm On May 05, 2016 |
Interesting! 1 Like |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Demmzy15(m): 10:05pm On May 05, 2016 |
truthman2012:
[s]Trash !!!
What does it profit you and the rest muslims if everybody becomes a muslim and goes to hell. Remember allahh promised all muslims hellfire immediately at death:
Quran 3:185] Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.
The above verse shows that all muslims will go to hell as soon as they die, waiting for the Day of Resurrection before some will be removed and made to enter Paradise. This is a satanic lie as what qualifies you to go to hell in the first place will make you remain there forever. What will justify you in hell to qualify for Paradise later?
Is that the situation you want the Igbos to join you ? Those who embraced Islam are those who are ignorant of the way the Devil operates. Muhammad's allahh is not the true God who wants everybody to go to hell.[/s] You think you're smart abi? You want to derail so as arguments would ensue, well that tactic won't be successful. Islam is growing in Ibo land and there's nothing you and your cohorts can do about it!! 3 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Lilimax(f): 10:38pm On May 05, 2016 |
Demmzy15:
Good day sis, I can proudly tell you that whatever you mentioned up there is all misconceptions. One thing you must note is that, this terrorists have killed more Muslims than Christians. In fact they started killing Muslims even before Christians, this is a fact. Concerning your other misconceptions, if you need an answer, I'll provide one for you.
I hope you'll become a Muslim someday! God forbid @ your last sentence  Haven't you heard that whosoever refused to acknowledge Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour is condemned already  ? 1 Like |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Nobody: 11:09pm On May 05, 2016 |
Annunaki:
Meanwhile your Op is full of lies errors and assumptions. Islam is almost non existent in igboland. My igbo people are too exposed and enlightened to accept such a satanic and backward religion like islam. the few that pretend to accept it, do it only for financial gain. The Igbo people have to be very careful. This is the new Islamic jihad, using oil money to buy government officials for the spread of their pernicious doctrine. Resist it or you become the new pakistan or afghanistan or saudi arabia where criticising a 7th century arab of very questionable morals is punishable by death. 2 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by udatso: 11:23pm On May 05, 2016 |
Annunaki:
Al taquiya nonsense, muslims have bbeen slaughtering themselves since the death of their evil prophet so it's no big deal that boko haram kills fellow muslims. The fact that mohammed was himself a notorious terrorist, armed robber and rapist proves to all that it's the bokko haram that are truly following his footsteps and thus real muslims. Insulting Islam and Muslims is what you are good at.. ..abeg you are needed in this thread https://www.nairaland.com/3086804/annunaki-read-old-testament#45351441 go and answer the question you have been dodging.. . 6 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by udatso: 11:24pm On May 05, 2016 |
truthman2012:
Trash !!!
What does it profit you and the rest muslims if everybody becomes a muslim and goes to hell. Remember allahh promised all muslims hellfire immediately at death:
Quran 3:185] Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.
The above verse shows that all muslims will go to hell as soon as they die, waiting for the Day of Resurrection before some will be removed and made to enter Paradise. This is a satanic lie as what qualifies you to go to hell in the first place will make you remain there forever. What will justify you in hell to qualify for Paradise later?
Is that the situation you want the Igbos to join you ? Those who embraced Islam are those who are ignorant of the way the Devil operates. Muhammad's allahh is not the true God who wants everybody to go to hell. Mr man, face the topic |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by udatso: 11:33pm On May 05, 2016 |
@demmyz
I attended pry and sec school in an Islamic school (school of Arabic and Islamic studies, anofia) in anofia, (very close to afikpo) ubeyi LGA, ebonyi state
Actually I studied Arabic and other Islamic subjects there. Many inhabitants of the village are Muslims. .....
Many of my classmates Were igbos and they speak Arabic fluently.
I just smile when these guys deny the existence of igbo Muslims In igboland 7 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by parisbookaddict(f): 6:33am On May 06, 2016 |
Demmzy15:
CONCLUSION
Until recently, and even presently to some extent, it is unthinkable that an Igbo person could become a Muslim. The first generation of few Igbo who converted to Islam did so in Northern Nigeria. They hid their Igbo identity by adopting Hausa (or Arabic?) first and surnames; they also adopted Hausa mode of dressing and other mannerisms. They had to disassociate themselves from Igbo meetings and unions in the North and had little or no contacts with their home people. That was before the Nigerian civil war. The second generation of converts were also mainly in the North. Some of these were bold enough to maintain their Igbo identities by retaining their Igbo surnames while adopting Hausa first names. Some also registered with Igbo unions in the North. The latter did not feel compelled to Hausanise.
A new development is that Igbo converts to Islam are no longer confined to the North. Islam is gradually penetrating Igboland, hitherto thought to be exclusive domain of Christianity. Some Igbo people are alarmed at the prospect of Islam having a foothold in Igboland. They believe this is dangerous for Igbo culture. This way of thinking corresponds to the historical reality of how Islam and Christianity came to Nigeria. Islam and Christianity evolved in such a way that they became identified with particular ethnic groups. The major exception is the religious experience of the Yoruba. Among the Yoruba due to historical factors, as we have seen, could be found, almost in equal numbers, both Muslims and Christians.
This paper argues that, provided Islam is being peacefully propagated in Igboland, its coming to Igboland should not be seen as portending any danger. In fact the outcome of such a development could be positive for future generations of Nigerians. For, if many Igbos embrace Islam, sooner or later neither Islam nor Christianity would be exclusively identified with any particular ethnic groups in Nigeria. Such a development would eventually lead to more peaceful coexistence and tolerance among all the various ethnic groups in Nigeria. This is the prognosis about Islam and Christianity in Nigeria.
http://www.egodiuchendu.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54:igbo-culture-and-the-prospects-of-islam-in-eastern-nigeria&catid=5:papers&Itemid=11 What a disgusting article..i wonder how much this fellow was paid to write this biased and nauseating joke... U muslims are really pushing to see igbos accept Islam.. Igbos detest Islam.. I have never met an igbo Muslim.. The Muslim northern oligarchy that spear headed the massacres of igbos during the civil war and the recent killings of peaceful igbos by Fulani herds men, the jihad by Islamist terrorists and the continued marginalization of igbos by the government of the current bigot in power will contine to ensure that igbo have nothing but disgust for Islam.. 5 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by mauriceju2(m): 9:23am On May 06, 2016 |
Any person who think that an Igbo man can become a true mumuslem is living in a dream world, any Igbo man who claim to be a mumuslem is doing so because of money, there are things an Igbo man cannot naturally do like chopping people hand and leg off for gods, Igbo men and women love freedom more than anything, no Igbo man will kill his family members or kind men for renouncing Islam for another religion, is only mumu houasa that can destroy his family for gods, Igbo hv respect and value for live unlike the the mumuslem that can destroy life at any slide test acquirement, there many things that can not natural ly allow Igbo man to become a mumuslem, tell me an Igbo man that can believe in 72 Vigina reward,, no Igbo man will agree to go and kill others and himself in order to be rewarded with 72 vigina in heaven 1 Like |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Demmzy15(m): 4:42pm On May 06, 2016 |
parisbookaddict:
What a disgusting article..i wonder how much this fellow was paid to write this biased and nauseating joke... When truth is said, you all come out with rhetorics of "they've paid him", "al taquiya ", etc. When are you all going to be tired of this and face the reality! U muslims are really pushing to see igbos accept Islam.. Igbos detest Islam.. I have never met an igbo Muslim.. See me see wahala, so because you've not met an Ibo Muslim, then they don't exist? We have Yorubas that are Buddhists, i've never met them personally, so does that mean they don't exist? Buhari is the President of Nigeria, you've not met him, does that mean he doesn't exist? What kind of sick analogy is this?! [s] The Muslim northern oligarchy that spear headed the massacres of igbos during the civil war and the recent killings of peaceful igbos by Fulani herds men, the jihad by Islamist terrorists and the continued marginalization of igbos by the government of the current bigot in power will contine to ensure that igbo have nothing but disgust for Islam..[/s] Yakubu Gowon, the leader of the country at that time is a fulani herdsmen abi, obasanjo, Benjamin adekunle, Alabi Isama are all herdsmen abi? I think you're beginning to have serious mind issues! Better face the reality, Islam is growing in Ibo land and there's nothing you can do about it!  5 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Demmzy15(m): 4:46pm On May 06, 2016 |
Lilimax:
God forbid @ your last sentence Haven't you heard that whosoever refused to acknowledge Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour is condemned already ? As a Muslim I love and respect Jesus because he's Prophet of God. My faith as a Muslim isn't complete if I don't believe in him. Jesus never said anything as such, in fact when a man came to him asking about how he can inherit the hereafter, Jesus gave a marvelous answer which would suffice anyone.
Shalom! 2 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Demmzy15(m): 4:51pm On May 06, 2016 |
udatso:
@demmyz
I attended pry and sec school in an Islamic school (school of Arabic and Islamic studies, anofia) in anofia, (very close to afikpo) ubeyi LGA, ebonyi state
Actually I studied Arabic and other Islamic subjects there. Many inhabitants of the village are Muslims. .....
Many of my classmates Were igbos and they speak Arabic fluently.
I just smile when these guys deny the existence of igbo Muslims In igboland Jazaka Allaah kayran Ya Akhi, Islam in this part of Ibo land has existed for years. A classmate of mine, Ibrahim Mas'ud Salahuddin schooled there too. He's very short and has a baby look, i've met many Ibo muslims, and in no time ebonyi state and other part of Ibo land would accept!
The problem is many think Islam is an hausa man thing, but when many discover this isn't true, they embrace it in mass because Islam is very compatible with their culture! May Allaah continue to guide our Ibo brothers to Islam! 2 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by udatso: 3:54pm On May 07, 2016 |
mauriceju2:
Any person who think that an Igbo man can become a true mumuslem is living in a dream world, any Igbo man who claim to be a mumuslem is doing so because of money, there are things an Igbo man cannot naturally do like chopping people hand and leg off for gods, Igbo men and women love freedom more than anything, no Igbo man will kill his family members or kind men for renouncing Islam for another religion, is only mumu houasa that can destroy his family for gods, Igbo hv respect and value for live unlike the the mumuslem that can destroy life at any slide test acquirement, there many things that can not natural ly allow Igbo man to become a mumuslem, tell me an Igbo man that can believe in 72 Vigina reward,, no Igbo man will agree to go and kill others and himself in order to be rewarded with 72 vigina in heaven Go back to school and stop embarrassing yourself 3 Likes |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Annunaki(m): 6:12pm On May 07, 2016 |
udatso:
Go back to school and stop embarrassing yourself And you should kontinu deluding yourself. |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by udatso: 6:53pm On May 07, 2016 |
Annunaki:
And you should kontinu deluding yourself. I was talking to mauriceju2. Or is that one of your accounts |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Annunaki(m): 8:23pm On May 07, 2016 |
udatso:
I was talking to mauriceju2. Or is that one of your accounts Yes it is, dunce |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by stonemasonn: 8:26pm On May 07, 2016 |
Demmzy15:
Written by MICHAEL O. MADUAGWU, PHD
ABSTRACT
There are two main religions in Nigeria today, Islam and Christianity. Generally, it is assumed that while the North is predominantly Islamic, Southern Nigeria is predominantly Christian, although there are some significant numbers of Christians in some parts of North as there are also significant Muslims among the Yorubas in the then Western Region of Nigeria. On the other hand, it is still generally believed, at least on paper, that Islam is nonexistent in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria. The reality, however, is that Islam is gradually gaining foothold in the latter, including the Igboland. In fact, some Igbo scholars are now concerned that the coming of Islam to Igboland portends “a danger to Igbo interest and survival” (Nnorom 2003). Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was credited with a statement in 1947 to the effect that but for the British the Muslims would have continued their jihad conquest of Southern Nigeria. Today, it would seem that what the North could not achieve through jihad it is now accomplishing by peaceful proselytizing of Islam.
This paper sets out from the premise that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, including its peaceful propagation. It argues that if Islam is peacefully spreading to Eastern Region it would be an interesting development which could lead to more tolerance between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. The question, however, is whether Islam, especially given its doctrine of sharia, would be able to adapt to the culture of that area. The paper, therefore, addresses the prospects of Islam in Eastern Region of Nigeria vis-à-vis the Igbo culture.
THE EMERGENCE OF ISLAM IN IGBO LAND
For the ordinary Igbo person, Islam is a strange religion in Igboland. The general belief is that if the religion exists there at all, it is only being practiced by the Hausa-Fulani strangers in the Igboland. It would seem that the reality on ground today shows otherwise. Nnorom (2003) paints this picture:
… while Ndigbo are being religiously, ethnically and economically cleansed from the predominantly Islamic states of Nigeria, Igbo Imams, Sheiks, Alahajis (sic), Alhajas and mosques, once few and exotic, are now a common sight in one of the most homogeneous Christian regions in Africa.
In fact there is evidence to show that Islam might have been planted in Igboland by an Igbo Muslim as far back as 1957, even before Nigeria’s Independence (Ottenberg 1971 quoted in Nnorom 2003). According to Ottenberg as recounted by Nnorom (2003), it was one Okpani Egwani of Anohia village of Afikpo in the present day Ebonyi State who had brought Islam to that village. Egwani had been away from his village for several years. The villagers had believed that he was dead and had even performed funeral rites for him. However, as it turned out, Egwani had joined the Nigerian army in 1944. After his discharge he stayed in Lagos and was converted to Islam. He was said to have travelled far and wide, visiting such countries as Egypt, Gabon and the Congo. He joined the Islamic sect of Tijaniyya. When he returned to his village in 1957, he was said to have come in a company of some Muslim strangers from the North who assisted him to establish Islam in his village. Egwani had changed his name to Alhaji Ibrahim.
As would be expected, the initial attempt to establish Islam in Afikpo met with serious resistance. The villagers ridiculed the converts. However, the seed of Islamic religion had been sown in that area.
According to a recent studies (Nnorom 2003; Uchendu 2010) Islam is gaining strong foothold in many parts of Igboland. Nsukka is said to have 14 mosques and therefore “undoubtedly the Islamic capital of AlaIgbo [Igboland]” (Nnorom 2003). Two institutions have been identified as playing major roles in the propagation of Islam in Igboland. There is the educational institution known as Jama-al-Nazral School, said to be originally based in Enugu but has been moved to Ntezi village in outskirts of Afikpo where it has existed for nine years. Nnorom (2003) claims that “No connection has been established between this institution and the remnants of the Anohia Islamic community.”
As at 2003, Jama-al-Nazral School is said to have 500 students selected only from Igbo-speaking States of Nigeria. It awards scholarships to all its students, from kindergarten to high school and offers lessons in secular subjects as well as in Arabic and Islamic studies. The female students dress in traditional Islamic style and are separated from the males. The males also dress in traditional Hausa/Arabic long clothing.
The Jama-al-Nazral School is said to have no sign in front of the property to indicate its name, affiliation or mission. It is claimed that it is being funded by Saudi Arabia. The majority of the teachers are said to be foreign although the School was being headed as at 2003 by one Alhaji Haruna Ajali from Afikpo.
Most of the teachers are said to be nationals of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India and are recruited from Kaduna.
One other prominent Islamic educational institution in Igboland is the Al-Haudaa Muslim School in Enugu. This school is said to have been established in 1990 by Igbo Muslims in Enugu and was approved by the former Anambra State Government. As at 2003, it had 150 students, ages 3 – 12. Like Nazral, Al-Haudaa awards scholarships to all its students. However, unlike Nazral most of its teachers are Igbo. It is said that “about 90% of the teachers at the Islamic School in Enugu are Christian” (Nnorom 2003). The teachers are said to be paid higher salary than their counterparts in public schools and are allowed to practice their Christian religion. The school authorities were unwilling to reveal the sources of funding of the school, although one of them claimed that it was being funded by “Moslem authorities” (Nnorom 2003).
The Chief Imam of the school as at 2003 was Igbo while his Deputy was Yoruba.
The story of the propagation of Islam in Igboland would not be complete without mentioning some prominent Igbo Muslim leaders. Most prominent was the late Alhaji Suleiman Onyeama who until his death several years ago was the chairman of the Jama’atul Nasril Islamiyya (Society for the Victory of Islam) of Enugu State. Currently, two of the most well known Igbo Muslims are Alhaji Abdulaziz Ude and Alhaji Yahaya Ndu (Nnorom 2003). The latter from Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State was the Presidential Candidate of the African Renaissance Party (ARP) in 2003. The Chief Imam of the mosque at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is Sheik Adamu Abdullahi Idoko from Nsukka. Nsukka is reputed to be the key base of Islamic expansionism in Igboland (Nnorom 2003). Then Alhaji Dauda Oneagocha is the Chief Imam of the Owerri main mosque in Imo State, which is located near the Government House. Although the controversial Senator Arthur Nzeribe has not yet officially converted to Islam, he is said to be one of the benefactors of Imo State Muslim community. He is alleged to have donated N5 million toward the construction of the Owerri Mosque (Nnorom 2003).
In terms of the population of Igbo Muslims, this is rather controversial. An interesting article about the Igbos and Islamic religion has this title: “Islam Does Not Belong to Them” (Anthony 2000). The import of this title could be that the number of Igbo Muslims is so insignificant that it is not worth noting. This may explain why there was no statistics of the population of Igbo Muslims among the listing of the populations of the larger ethnic groups in Nigeria in the current World Christian Database (quoted in Wikipedia 2010; see the Appendix). However, the 25 October 1993 edition of the Nigerian news magazine, Citizen carried a cover story on the “Igbo Muslims” (Akoshile and Ummuna 1993). Alhaji Suleiman Onyeama, then Chairman of Jama’atul Nasril Islamiyya, Enugu State, claimed that there were between 6,000 and 10,000 Muslims in the State at the time. Even if the upper limit of this number was accurate and exclusively Igbo, it would still be insignificant in a population of 3.1 million, as the 1991 Census had put Enugu State.
It would seem that the current Igbo Muslim leaders are not very forthcoming on the statistics of their members. Nnorom (2003), states that the Igbo Muslim leaders were not willing to reveal vital information on their religion, including the size of their membership. Efforts to get the statistics of the current Igbo Muslims by this writer also proved abortive. One Alhaji Suleiman Ogah, the Chairman of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board of Ebonyi State, could not provide any statistics on the Muslims in the South-Eastern States nor even of Ebonyi State, only saying that research was still ongoing and would be provided when completed.
However, regardless of the numbers, one thing is certain about Islam in Igboland. It is making inroads there and the number of Igbos embracing Islam is increasing. In fact, sooner than later, Igbo Muslims would no longer have to hide their identities by adopting Hausa or Arabic names or even clothing. This was the case of the first generation of Igbo converts to Islam in Northern Nigeria who had to “Hausanise” themselves (Anthony 2000: 427).
But is this a plausible forecast or should Igbos organize and prevent the peaceful Islamic evangelization in Igboland? What are the prospects for the survival of Islam in Igboland?
Islam in Igboland: To be or Not to Be?
For the generality of the Igbo people, the two major religions in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity have also ethnic identities, Islam being the religion of the Northerners or Hausa-Fulani while Christianity is for the people of Southern Nigeria. Not many Igbos are aware that there are as many Yoruba Muslims, or even more, as there are Yoruba Christians. Again, not many Igbos realize that there are also large populations of other ethnic groups in Northern Nigeria, other than Hausa-Fulani, who are Christians or Muslims, to say nothing of the fact that there are also some Hausa-Fulani who are Christians.
This perception about the religious-cum-ethnic divides in Nigeria was especially pronounced in the 1960s. Thus, Ojukwu (1969) in the famous “Ahiara Declaration” during the Nigeria-Biafra war could assert:
The Biafran struggle is, on another plane, a resistance to the Arab-Muslim expansionism which has menaced and ravaged the African continent for twelve centuries.
Our Biafran ancestors remained immune from the Islamic contagion. From the middle years of the last century Christianity was established in our land. In this way we came to be predominantly Christian people. We came to stand out as a non-Muslim island in a raging Islamic sea.
Throughout the ill-fated Nigerian experiment, the Muslims hoped to infiltrate Biafra by peaceful means and quiet propaganda, but failed. Then the late Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto, tried by political and economic blackmail … to convert Biafrans settled in Northern Nigeria to Islam. His hope was that these Biafrans of dispersion would then carry Islam to Biafra, and by so doing give the religion political control of the area.
It would seem that the phobia about Islam is still widely felt by many Igbo people, including scholars, as has been passionately presented by Nnorom (2003). Indeed, Nnorom (2003) has used Ojukwu’s statement to buttress his proposition that Igboland is the land of Christianity and should not be allowed Islamic penetration. Of course Ojukwu’s statement is more of propaganda than anything else. He knew more than anybody that the Nigerian-Biafra war was not a war between Northern Muslims versus Igbo Christians. Gowon, the Nigerian Head of State at the time is a Christian as were many of the Nigerian soldiers.
It is true that until recently, Islam was virtually non-existent in Igboland. However, history is not static. Nigeria is no longer as religiously, culturally or even ethnically as compartmentalized as was the case 50 years ago. It should, therefore, not be surprising that Islam is now being openly embraced both by some Igbos living in Northern Nigeria (Anthony 2000) and also some Igbos in Igboland (Nnorom 2003; Uchendu 2010).
The answer to the Shakespearean question above is simply yes. Both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. As long there is no compulsion, Nigerians are free to belong to any religion; to change their religion and to propagate their religion. Indeed, the Nigerian Constitutions of 1979 and 1999 have provisions encouraging associations, including marriages, across religious and ethnic divides in order to promote national unity and integration.
In recent times, there has been upsurge of ethno-religious conflicts in Northern Nigeria, especially Plateau State. The Plateau State crisis is becoming protracted and difficult to resolve. Perhaps what has exacerbated the crisis in Plateau State could be said to be the fact that the two protagonist groups, the Hausa-Fulani on the one hand and the Beroms and other ethnic groups on the Plateau, on the other hand, predominantly belong to the two religions, Islam and Christianity, respectively. That is why once the crisis erupts, it easily takes religious colouration. Would the crisis in Plateau State have been so intense and protracted if there were no sharp religious divide between the Plateau people and the Hausa-Fulani? Obviously not!
I would argue that if Islam succeeds in Igboland, it would contribute to the polarization of Islam among the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Then, contrary to the fears being expressed, in some quarters, the polarization of Islamic and Christian religions in Igboland and across Nigeria would lead to more religious tolerance than to religious crisis in the future generations.
With regard to compatibility of Islam with Igbo culture, this is an open question. Those who argue that Igboland is or should be a Christian society may have forgotten that when Christianity first came to Igboland, things fell apart. If Christianity has succeeded in Igboland, it could only be because it has learnt to adapt and assimilate the Igbo culture. The same would apply to Islam or any other religion that wishes to survive in Igboland. The Igbo Muslims would be advised to look up to the Yoruba Muslims if they hope that Islam would survive in Igboland. In fact, the rest of Nigerians would be advised to study and emulate the religious candour of the Yoruba.
i'm still yet to see a Fulani Christian though. |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by udatso: 9:32pm On May 07, 2016 |
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| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by malvisguy212: 9:55pm On May 07, 2016 |
Demmzy15:
As a Muslim I love and respect Jesus because he's Prophet of God. My faith as a Muslim isn't complete if I don't believe in him. Jesus never said anything as such, in fact when a man came to him asking about how he can inherit the hereafter, Jesus gave a marvelous answer which would suffice anyone.
Shalom! even satan believe in jesus, does that mean he is save ? If you love jesus, go to the mosque and tell your imam, " I love jesus" then see the look on his face. How much do you know God ? Even muhammed never had direct encounter with God talkless of his followers. |
| Re: Igbo Culture And The Prospects Of Islam In Eastern Nigeria by Masterclass32: 10:59pm On May 07, 2016 |
ISLAM WILL NEVER GAIN A FOOTHOLD IN IGBOLAND.
THEY ARE WORKING HARD AT IT. BUT THEY WILL FAIL. 2 Likes |
