Sometimes I am almost moved to tears when I see the society we have prepared for our kids to live in.They deserve better than a society where you can't live anywhere you want without finding out which religious faithfuls are pre-dominant in the area.A Society where kids have been denied an opportunity to tap fully into diverse cultures and grow into the best adults they could possibly be without compromising their religious values and most unfortunately, a society where religious clerics have developed a knack for descending into the political arena with total disregard for the implications of so doing.
Religious leaders and clerics have a pivotal role to play in ensuring peace in the present day society and desisting from dabbling into a matter as sensitive as politics forms a part of that role.The average Nigerian places God above everything else.Hence,religious clerics have a very powerful influence over their decisions and choices and it is disappointing to see some of these men abuse that influence.
Islam and Christianity all set standards for their clerics that rank above that of the average faithful.They are expected to abstain from appearing biased and must exercise utmost decorum at all times.Above all,they must desist from anything that will bring their religion to disrepute.These days,a lot of them have descended into the realm of we lesser mortals by criticizing and endorsing politicians.From the little I know of how these men ought to behave, they are to pray for whoever is best for us and to accept any outcome as God's Will.They are to forget the past and not crictize the mistakes and misgivings of past leaders because everything has been pre-destined by God and what more?.He enjoins us to forgive those who have wronged us.They are to plead with leaders to tow the right path and not abuse them.Both faiths condemn the use of offensive language and enjoin faithfuls to speak in a decent and courteous manner.Any cleric who does or think otherwise isn't qualified to teach us the scriptures on any Friday,Sunday or any other day for that matter.
When Sheik Abubakar Gumi,a Respected Islamic Scholar said on Sahara TV shortly after Ex-President,Olusegun Obasanjo's 18 page letter to President Jonathan titled-'Before it is too late' that even if Obasanjo and his government were corrupt, it was for him and his friends and not to divide Nigeria.He also said he was ready to forgive Obasanjo for all he did to Nigerians.There and then I knew we were in trouble.I,for one can't absolve OBJ of any blame talk more forgive him because of a letter detailing another man's sins.Equity demands I do same to Jonathan if he writes the next President.
The Sheik has gone on in subsequent times,to urge President Jonathan to 'Repent and Resign' and to also say neither GEJ or Buhari are right for us.He further went on to do the abominable by saying the APC,by adopting Prof Osinbanjo as Buhari's running mate,a Redeemed Pastor,now had the 'Church's feet engrossed in it and not just Christians'.That is unacceptable and he certainly doesn't speak for me as a Muslim.
Ahmed Ali,a Zaria based Islamic Cleric did speak for me when he advised him to leave politics to politicians and focus on religious teachings.He should offer advice to those he wants to personally and preach that youths desist from violence.That is an ideal Ulama.
The Sheik has said his life and that of his family have been threatened.Only Boko Haram would have done such if he had played his role from the get-go and not the average Nigerian who holds him and his kind in high esteem.
A Respected Priest, Rev Fr. Mbaka's case is even more pathetic.This man had endorsed Jonathan only to 'de-endorse' and opt for Buhari on another morning.The new endorsment was accompanied by a scathing criticism of the Jonathan Government.Fr. Mbaka is a hero to some who still remember how he stood toe to toe with the previous Enugu State Government.He stood up for what he believed was right and spoke his mind at all times.There was a price though: gunmen who stormed a prayer meeting of his in 2002 triggered a stampede that led to the loss of 12 lives-Innocent souls who had come to worship.The Catholic Church has called on the Bishop of the Enugu diocese to caution him and went on to distance itself from his endorsement of Buhari and criticism of the Jonathan administration in a most praiseworthy move.The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria,Rev.Fr Ralph Madu said it all when he advised him to say what the Holy Spirit reveals to him in a manner that will forestall confusion and trouble because in his words-"who are we to question the Holy Spirit?".
There is nobody who has witnessed first hand, the after-effects of religious clashes who wouldn't be concerned by utterances like those of these two clerics.Their followers look up to them to know right from wrong and in a very heat-prone polity like ours, its best they hush their political opinions,endorsements and affiliations whatsoever.I remember vividly what transpired after the last Presidential elections in Kaduna where I was based then.What started from wanton destruction of the properties of PDP members in protest of GEJ's victory by APC supporters escalated into a clash between Muslims and Christians leading to the death of innocent non-politicians.Religious leaders and clerics as fathers are a major rallying point in the call for peace at such times.When a 'father' stoops so low as to play rough with his children in public,he automatically loses the respect of everyone.
Sheik Gumi is the only Ulama I know who plays activist in the media.Ahmed Ali and others have come out to state the standards expected of an Islamic scholar and I must commend clergymen like Pastor Enoch Adeboye who understand their role in a society like ours.He has prayed for both Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan and even visited the Late President Yar'adua at the Villa without publicly endorsing or campaigning for any of them.
At a time when supporters are threatening fire and brimstone if their candidates aren't elected, I hope our Men of God will preach peace and restraint instead of choosing candidates for their brethren.God help us.
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