*Introduction : Unity and disunity are human and therefore global(3:103). What drive the natural Unity of mankind to disunity are Faith and Leadership and what bring it back are also Faith and Leadership. Al-Baqarah 2:213
كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فِيمَا ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِۚ وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْۖ فَهَدَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَا ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Mankind was [of] one nation [before their deviation]; then Allaah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people CONCERNING THAT IN WHICH THEY DIFFERED. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it – after the clear proofs came to them – out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allaah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allaah guides whom He wills to a straight path.
That is why Allaah commands Taqwah in relation to our common origin and fear of the wombs:
An-Nisa’ 4:1
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءًۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا
O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from ONE SOUL and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allaah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allaah is ever, over you, an Observer.
The implications of disunity are obviously crises which are basically evidences of our nearness to Hell and the way out is unity under a Pious leader.
Aal-e-Imran 3:103
وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَآءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِۦٓ إِخْوَٰنًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَاۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
And hold firmly to the rope of Allaah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allaah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And YOU WERE ON THE EDGE OF a PIT OF THE FIRE, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.
This Lecture is a Critical Discourse Analysis of Unity and Disunity as indices of the type of Leadership that exists in the society where either occurs. My paradigm shall be Fira’un and Musa ; Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the Jews and Christians and Umar and non Muslims
1. *Unity*
Unity is defined as the quality or state of not being multiple : the quality or state of being one, single, whole, or the same .
Does it mean being one?
1.2 Let’s look at the *types of Unity* .
Unity is identified in three ways: compositional unity, conceptual unity, and gestalt unity.
Variety is an opposing principle that supports and contrasts with unity by introducing dissimilar elements and ideas.
We have thus the following other types of Unity: logical indivisibility, substantive or dynamic in- divisibility, allness, bare continuity, concatenation, harmony, adjustment, or order in the bare content, and kin- esthetic purpose,
1.3 Unity is the principle of design that unifies all other principles within a piece of work, *allowing each individual element to coexist with one another to form an aesthetically pleasing design.*
1.4 Where do we need unity?
We talk of Unity only where there is DIVERSITY. This is why we talk of Unity of mankind where we are as diverse as Allaah has created us.
Al-Hujurat 49:13
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.
1.5 *Is Unity of mankind desirable and achievable?*
No matter what your answer is, I believe that even if it is desirable, it is not achievable. Mankind cannot be “one, single, whole, or the same” .
Allaah says for example about common faith that could make mankind one ideological family:
Yunus 10:99
وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَءَامَنَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًاۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُكْرِهُ ٱلنَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ
And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed – all of them entirely. Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers?
1.6 What kind of Unity can we possibly achieve?
We can only have the kind of Unity that the Prophet achieved in Madinah where:
*he allowed each individual element to coexist with one another to form an* *aesthetically pleasing design.*
This Unity recognizes three human elements. They are: Mentality; Attitudes and Sentiments based on fixated mindset.
Allaah summarised these in one ayah:
Al-Isra’ 17:84
قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ سَبِيلًا
Say, “Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in the way.”
That is why the Shariah of Islam niether applied to the Jews nor to the Christians. Even when the Jews mischievously chose the Shariah, Allaah gave the Prophet options.
2 *Causes and Manifestation of Disunity**
2.1 Leadership and Disunity: A Study of Fira’un
2.1.1. Leadership Deficit makes an unbelieving and tyrannical leader to Divide, disunite and oppress the people.
Al-Qasas 28:4
إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَآئِفَةً مِّنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمْۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them, slaughtering their [newborn] sons and keeping their females alive. Indeed, he was of the corrupters.
2.1.2. Emergence of a Pius Liberating Leadership escalates Disunity and induces violence and killings.
Al-Qasas 28:15
وَدَخَلَ ٱلْمَدِينَةَ عَلَىٰ حِينِ غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَا فَوَجَدَ فِيهَا رَجُلَيْنِ يَقْتَتِلَانِ هَٰذَا مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ وَهَٰذَا مِنْ عَدُوِّهِۦۖ فَٱسْتَغَٰثَهُ ٱلَّذِى مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ عَلَى ٱلَّذِى مِنْ عَدُوِّهِۦ فَوَكَزَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّ مُّضِلٌّ مُّبِينٌ
And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, “This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy.”
2.1.3 But the Pius Liberating Leader is a human being who can and does acknowledge his weaknesses and limitations.
Al-Qasas 28:16
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِى فَٱغْفِرْ لِى فَغَفَرَ لَهُۥٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
He said, “My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me,” and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
2.1.4 And he has to be strategic and prayerful.
Al-Qasas 28:16
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِى فَٱغْفِرْ لِى فَغَفَرَ لَهُۥٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
He said, “My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me,” and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
2.1.5 He needs to avoid being used and be just towards the other disuniting faction. (Q28:17-24)
2.1.6 He also needs to be a strong, trustworthy and hard-working family man (Q28:25-29)
3. Disunity leads to demand for sovereignty.
Al-A’raf 7:104
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَٰفِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّى رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
And Moses said, “O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds
Al-A’raf 7:105
حَقِيقٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَن لَّآ أَقُولَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّۚ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِبَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعِىَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
[Who is] obligated not to say about Allah except the truth. I have come to you with clear evidence from your Lord, so send with me the Children of Israel.”
3.1 This demand is always met first, with cajoling and then threat of, and Actual violence.
Al-A’raf 7:109
قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
Said the eminent among the people of Pharaoh, “Indeed, this is a learned magician
Al-A’raf 7:110
يُرِيدُ أَن يُخْرِجَكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُمْۖ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ
WHO WANTS TO EXPEL YOU FROM YOUR LAND [through magic], so what do you instruct?”
3.2 The consequent engagement of the establishment and its expert will lead to the defeat and Submission of the expert to superior knowledge and faith(Q7:111-122)
Al-A’raf 7:120
وَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سَٰجِدِينَ
And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah ].
Al-A’raf 7:121
قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
They said, “We have believed in the Lord of the worlds,
Al-A’raf 7:122
رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ
The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”
3.3 The reaction of the Tyrant is violence and killings in defence of the *Commonwealth* .
Al-A’raf 7:123
قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَمَكْرٌ مَّكَرْتُمُوهُ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ لِتُخْرِجُوا۟ مِنْهَآ أَهْلَهَاۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
Said Pharaoh, “You believed in him before I gave you permission. Indeed, this is a conspiracy which you conspired in the city TO EXPEL THEREFROM ITS PEOPLE. But you are going to know.
Al-A’raf 7:124
لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَٰفٍ ثُمَّ لَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides; then I will surely crucify you all.”
3.4 The people become more committed in response to the tyranny of the leadership.
Al-A’raf 7:125
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا مُنقَلِبُونَ
They said, “Indeed, to our Lord we will return.
Al-A’raf 7:126
وَمَا تَنقِمُ مِنَّآ إِلَّآ أَنْ ءَامَنَّا بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَآءَتْنَاۚ رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].”
3.5 The establishment becomes embarrassed and threatened. They react by mobilizing everyone against the oppressed people and their liberating leader.
Al-A’raf 7:127
وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ أَتَذَرُ مُوسَىٰ وَقَوْمَهُۥ لِيُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَذَرَكَ وَءَالِهَتَكَۚ قَالَ سَنُقَتِّلُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ وَنَسْتَحْىِۦ نِسَآءَهُمْ وَإِنَّا فَوْقَهُمْ قَٰهِرُونَ
And the eminent among the people of Pharaoh said,” Will you leave Moses and his people to cause corruption in the land and abandon you and your gods?” [Pharaoh] said, “We will kill their sons and keep their women alive; and indeed, we are subjugators over them.”
3.6 The oppressed become confused and they begin to compare the previous life of slavery with the imminent liberation.
Al-A’raf 7:129
قَالُوٓا۟ أُوذِينَا مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَأْتِيَنَا وَمِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جِئْتَنَاۚ قَالَ عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُهْلِكَ عَدُوَّكُمْ وَيَسْتَخْلِفَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ
They said, “We have been harmed before you came to us and after you have come to us.” He said, “Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and grant you succession in the land and see how you will do.”
3.7 The response of the liberating leader is to call for patience and prayers while he stays with the people who are to be strategically prayerful.
Al-A’raf 7:128
قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱصْبِرُوٓا۟ۖ إِنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦۖ وَٱلْعَٰقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
Said Moses to his people, “Seek help through Allah and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah . He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.”
3.7 The response of Allaah to the oppression of the people who want sovereignty is to overwhelm the society with social crises, famine and health challenges that lead to mass killing and death forcing them to seek divine intervention(Q7:130-136).
Al-A’raf 7:130
وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ بِٱلسِّنِينَ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
And We certainly seized the people of Pharaoh with years of famine and a deficiency in fruits that perhaps they would be reminded.
Al-A’raf 7:133
فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلْجَرَادَ وَٱلْقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَٰتٍ مُّفَصَّلَٰتٍ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِينَ
So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.
Al-A’raf 7:134
وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلرِّجْزُ قَالُوا۟ يَٰمُوسَى ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَۖ لَئِن كَشَفْتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجْزَ لَنُؤْمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرْسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
And when the punishment descended upon them, they said, “O Moses, invoke for us your Lord by what He has promised you. If you [can] remove the punishment from us, we will surely believe you, and we will send with you the Children of Israel.”
4. Pius Leadership unites his people and integrates others.
Case Studies of Prophet MUHAMMAD and Umar bn Khatab
4.1 He consults with them and makes himself humbly available and accessible.
Aal-e-Imran 3:159
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].
Apart from the Brotherhood that he established among the Muhajirun and the Ansar and the drafting of the Constitution of Madinah as a common wealth, the following leadership bond of Unity and integrity are germane to this Lecture:
4.1 Muhammad and the old woman in Makkah
4.2 Muhammad and Duthur in Madinah
4.3 Muhammad and Abdullah bn Ubay bn Salul and his son.
4.4 Muhammad and the Jews
4.4.1 Abdullah bn Salaam.
4.4.2 The three questions
4.4.3 The five Questions
4.4.4 Request for Justice from the Shariah:
Al-Ma’idah 5:49
وَأَنِ ٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ وَٱحْذَرْهُمْ أَن يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعْضِ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَهُم بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَفَٰسِقُونَ
And judge, [O Muhammad], between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what Allah has revealed to you. And if they turn away – then know that Allah only intends to afflict them with some of their [own] sins. And indeed, many among the people are defiantly disobedient.
Al-Ma’idah 5:48
وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِۖ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّۚ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًاۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْۖ فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.
4.5 Muhammad at Udaibiya and role of women
5.1 Umar bn Khatab and the caravans leading to policy review on children allowance.
5.2 Umar and the Old Jew leading to Pension
5.3 Umar and his erring son who was flogged to death.
*Conclusion*
Unity is desirable as we are all from the same parents and we are diverse only for the sake of identity and identification.
Unity, however, becomes an issue to discuss and manage when the leadership mismanages the people and divides them through tyranny towards a group and slavery towards another.
Disunity is FASAD or CORRUPTION.
Unity of the people is impossible in a multi-religious society because of primordial mindset and natural paths of disunity. But integration and just disposition to all citizens would make the people think less of Unity.
Nigerians do not ask for the tribe and religion of a disaster stricken citizen before they offer help. This is natural integration.
Nigerians do not ask for your faith and tribe when watching super eagles play other nations.
Reason Nigerians ask for the tribe and faith of a political appointee is obvious. His competence or lack of it must be, rightly or wrongly, explained with the two yardsticks.
Where unity becomes obligatory is in the religious groups or parties.
A way out of the disastrous corruption of the people through religious and ethnic Divide is to DEREGULATE Democracy.
Let each religious group, Muslim, Christian and others produce the best among them to represent the rest. Let the guidance of their God follow them and let penalties for their offence/crimes against God and man be handled according to the laws of their beliefs.
Let us start with the MUSLIMS who already have an established shariah. Let us show unity of faith in the shariah by doing the needful to the Boko Haram, kidnappers, Bandits, collaborating security personnel and other sundry criminals like thieving Governors, Legislators and contractors. Let us show leadership in unity by proving that the leadership is in charge of the followership by calling followership to order across the nation.
This will stop the concept of punishing our thieves while looking away from their own thieves.
Let the non Muslims also punish their thieves, brigands, cyber-criminals, cult-gangs and other sundry criminals according to their beliefs and cultural values. Let us *UNITE* against evils and stop mischievous gang-ups for political and economic interest.
Thank you for listening and God bless Nigeria.
*Taofiq AbdulAzeez is a Professor of Communication and Language Arts at the Department of English, University of Abuja
He made this Presentation at the 61st Independence Day Special Jumu’ah Prayer and Public Lecture on Thursday 30th September, 2021 at the National Mosque Abuja
