Alleged Blasphemy: Ignore the Unbelievers

If Your Religion Requires You To Hate Someone, You Need A New Religion.

~ Ricky Gervais

I heavily condemn the killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto state over "alleged blasphemy " by Islamic fundamentalists and extremists. No matter the crime, extrajudicial killings are wrong.

I understand this to say that Muslims should ignore the annoying talks of unbelievers ('blasphemy') and put their trust in Allah SWT as he's the most sufficient and a protector". With this, I don't think there should be a basis for the death penalty as punishment for blasphemy in Islam.

And blasphemy is not even a crime in the Nigerian Constitution. Nigeria is a secular state. No one deserves to be killed because of ambiguous utterances and protests over unwarranted messages sent on WhatsApp.We beseech our Muslim brothers and sisters in the north to let peace reign. This country is already bleeding from a million cuts. KILLINGS OVER BLASPHEMY MUST END!

Let our Muslim brothers & sisters in the North use the energy they use in attacking blasphemers to attack the bandits and terrorists destroying their land, raping their women, and stopping their children from education. We can't always keep quiet in the face of gratuitous killings. Our Muslim brothers & sisters must stop being silent even as radicals & extremists commit horrendous acts. Nigeria is a secular state. No one should be killed because of their stand or statement. We live in the 21st century. Let's move away from terrorism in the name of fighting!

In 2014, someone in Denmark made a cartoon ridiculing Prophet Mohammed ( PBUH). And in Nigeria, Islamic fundamentalists and extremists killed 17 people. How should what happened in Denmark lead to the death of many people in Nigeria? What is wrong with our people?

There is a need to unambiguously & vigorously condemn this act of terror senselessly perpetrated in the name of religion. We expect all peace-loving Muslims to say: that Islam is a religion of peace & tolerance and not mindless killings. Let's work towards a peaceful Nigeria where minority voices are protected. This is the right thing to do.

Religious tolerance is something we should all practice; however, there have been more persecution and atrocities committed in the name of religion and religious freedom than anything else.

Islam is a religion of peace. There is a need to stop religious fundamentalists & fanatics from tarnishing the good image of their faith. Islam is practiced by about 2 billion people. And it's a great religion. But anytime I hear of how people are imprisoned & killed in the north, it fills me with dread. And that is not what Islam is. Let's say no to religious fundamentalism.

Bandits and terrorists are killing people in the north in thousands. What stops the northerners from using their zeal & vigor to stop these malevolent people from destroying their land? Why must they target innocent people who are just trying to survive?

Religious tolerance, understanding, and respect are vital for healthy and prosperous societies.

We share the world, let’s share the love.