Arabic is not a religion. It is a language. Nothing’s wrong with that. But the problem in Nigeria is the very poor and shallow religious sentiments of many Nigerians. Some Muslims will interpret the introduction of Arabic into our public school’s curriculum as a victory for Islam… Some Christians will interpret it as a subtle way to Islamize the country… A very simple matter becomes complicated pretty quickly.
Arabic is a major world language just like French, Mandarin, Hindi and Spanish. But Nigeria is troubled with people who have very high dose of religious intolerance, Christians and Muslims alike. My thing is, considering the circumstances, scrap Arabic from the curriculum or if left alone, introduce Koine Greek into the curriculum. Perhaps this would balance the equation and ease the tensions of the Christians who are alarmed. (The New Testament scriptures is believed by most Theological scholars to have been originally written in Koine Greek.)
The Qur’an was originally written in Arabic. This is where the main problem lies amongst fanatical Muslims and fanatical Christians. Each camp would interpret strange and weird meanings to the introduction of Arabic in schools. The Ministry of Education should just scrap it from the curriculum. Scratch it off. And let’s move on… If anyone wishes to learn Arabic or Koine Greek, they should do so privately – at home, in their mosques or churches and in private schools. And perhaps we may also add that they should also study CRS (Christian Religious Studies) and IS or IRS (Islamic Religious Studies) privately – not in public schools.
The wahala for Nigeria don dey too much…Some countries are working towards sending men and women to Mars; we are here in Nigeria bitterly fighting amongst ourselves. It’s a shame. In some countries, people are working in teams, as a united whole, making iPhones and fully electric powered cars and exporting globally. But wetin dey happen for Naija? It’s crazy! Our mumu don do!
#Unity #Faith #Peace #Progress #OneLove
Karo E.K.D Akamune
‘UNITED….For Good Governance’07/07/2017
