The current uprising in the Middle East (ME) and North Africa. lesson for Nigeria
The lecture was delivered by sheikh Muhammad Mahmud Turi and chaired by dr. Abdullahi Yar’adua. Sheikh Turi spoke on the Middle East(M.E.) uprising and its lessons for Nigeria.
The current uprising in the Middle East (ME) and North Africa. lesson for Nigeria The lecture was delivered by sheikh Muhammad Mahmud Turi and chaired by dr. Abdullahi Yar’adua. Sheikh Turi spoke on the Middle East(M.E.) uprising and its lessons for Nigeria.
Defining the uprising in Islamic perspective, Sheikh Turi said the uprising has to be called sahwa isamiyyah (Islamic re-awakening) to ensure the identity of the happening, though, the enemies like America try to hijack it and give it a different name like democratic uprising etc..
So, base on this light of this Islamic definition, he said the remote cause of the uprising is the historic Islamic civilization and freedom which was with these people for hundreds of years. Islam is the religion of freedom which opposes oppression in any form, and people know this ; they also know their history and how their grand fathers fought oppression and injustice . The remote reason for this is to do with Islamic history that is why it takes Islamic form.
Another reason to support this argument, Sheikh Turi added, is the role played by mosques and Islamic centers which showed people’s attachment to Islam. Moreover, the general slogan in the uprising is Takbr (Allahu Akbar).
Other s are economic reasons which leads to the high cost of living amongst the citizens due to mass looting of the resources by the leaders leaving the masses in hunger. This also instigate the youths against their leaders.
Speaking on Solutions to problems, Sheikh Turi noted that Islam has solutions to all problems at all time as contains in the Holy Qur’an. Islam has also a system which opposes the current system leading the world headed by the UN.
Shedding more light on the situation, the Sheikh also noted that other reasons for the uprising is the success of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The late Imam Khomeini’s revolution gave a sample and hope for other countries and this provided a support and basis for the current uprising. The Iranian revolution also showed how to bring about a change as opposed to wrong method thought by many. Others are of the view that coup d tet and election are also revolution process; whereas Revolution is carried out by mass uprising as opposed to coup or election; . It is achieved by popular and massive uprising as shown during the Islamic Revolution in Iran, he noted.
Few western and European countries learn from the mass uprising in Arab regions , just like what is happening in the Wall street.
Speaking on the lessons in the uprising, he said there are important lessons in the happening.
1. Solution to people problems is by popular uprising. i.e people to raise up and choose what they want and remain steadfast on their cause; and not by planting bombs or violence.
2. Another thing is that people should learn the many lessons in the Arab uprising like unity.
Another Important issue is for people to understand the uprising. In Egypt Muslims and Christians joined hand together, unlike in Nigeria where uprising is normally characterized by killings and lootings. So, there is need for:
a. Maturity and understanding. People are the agents of change , so there is need for people to wake up and chose what they want and to be ready to protect it.
b. Leadership. There has to be leadership in any uprising. The way out for Nigerians is popular uprising under a leadership and system. So, in Nigeria when we talk of system we are referring to Islamic. This happened in Iran-there was uprising with Islamic leadership. So, Nigerian people must consider this. Already in Nigeria we leadership of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky as Revolution in Nigeria is something that will surely happen.
In conclusion, it can be said that Lessons to be derived are :-to learn how to carry out a massive uprising with matuiry and understanding under Islamic Leadership. Another thing is to continue with preaching to awaken the people. The last is for the members to be more prepared and know what will be contribution in bringing about the change.
Khalid isah reports