Deconstructing The Religious Myth: Captured Boko Haram Insurgents Can’t Recite The Holy Qur’an

Since 9/11 when conversations about Islamic fundamentalism emerged, a number of commentators have sought to situate their arguments on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, as the sole basis for the increasing spate of Islamism. Well, I am not going to say these commentators have no point, but then, even the Holy Bible-especially the old Testament-has verses which when taken out of context and intent, can be used to do the most despicable things on earth. Recall the inquisition? That is how “texts” can be weaponised when interpreted out of context.

The thing is, most of these religious fundamentalists are theoretically illiterate. And those who have some measure of understanding of the theological exegesis of these verses, also tend to explain these verses out of context, in the bid to accomplishing their mischievous ends. They always engage in what is termed “convenience and twisted interpretations”.

I was therefore not surprised when it emerged that some Boko Haram insurgents captured by the Nigerian military could not recite the Holy Qur’an. Even Suratul Al Faatihah (001), the very first Chapter in the Holy Qur’an whose knowledge is a requirement to fulfilling one of the basic tenets of the religion; Salat (prayer), could not be recited by some of the insurgents. Where is the Islam in their agenda then? This is not an isolated case. There are several other so-called Islamist groups who are perpetually visiting mayhem on innocent lives in the name of Islam, yet when their actions are subjected to the “authentic and enlightened” interpretations of Islam, they cannot but fall short of these requirements.

Violence as the face of Islam?

Ironically, despite their misguided and warped understanding of the “true meaning” of Islam, their actions and activities have become the “defining face of Islam”. A great number of people, across the length and breadth of the globe-including Ghana-have only come to know Islam through the violent expressive eyes of some of these insurgents/fanatics. It is not surprising therefore to see some non-Muslim Ghanaians asking some Muslim folks whether they are actually Muslims. All because of how diametrically positioned their views about what the Holy Qur’an actually represents, compared to what is being bandied out there. At the heart of the “authentic and enlightened” textual meaning of the Holy Qur’an is the necessity to live in peace with everybody, especially those who do not ascribe to your beliefs. And, the best form of conversion is to, lead a life that is worthy of being emulated by those who do not share in your beliefs. Something about you-actions and inactions-should be exemplary and morally-astute enough to make others want to gravitate towards your religion.

The pedestrian argument that, Islam preaches compulsion in converting people of other faiths is not only misleading, but a serious indictment on the religion. Islam celebrates pluralism and diversity. The only theologically valid reason for being “in arms” with any other person is in “self-defense”. Even here, there are obligations that ought to be fulfilled, to ensure that all other pacific channels have been exhaustively pursued. That’s, what we term in Western legal conversations as “beyond all reasonable doubt”. That is how progressive, the Holy Qur’an is. Anybody who understands the “real and authentic” meaning of the Holy Qur’an would tell you “it is a book that is futuristic and progressive in all sense of its word”. Political, social, cultural, economic and even areas such as medicine are all areas that the Holy Qur’an has touched on; including several discoveries and innovations that have been made, and those that are yet to be made.

Politics and bad Governance as precursors

I would however like to draw the attention of commentators who are “making light”, the fact that good governance, access to socio-economic and other opportunities are not breeding grounds for acts of terrorism. The thing is, alienation and disenfranchisement of any form, can be used as a proxy for terrorism, insurgency or religious fanaticism. While I would be quick to admit that these factors do not in some cases stand alone, they cannot be glossed over by any stretch of our imagination.

They remain very germane to conversations about events that lay the bedrock for the inception of terrorism organisations. While for example the activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria have some economic and political underpinnings, what we are witnessing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are driven largely by decades of bad governance and dictatorship. As a result, most of the terrorist organisations are motivated largely by political demands, instead of the theological expression and meanings they assign to their cause. It may therefore be totally out of place, to argue that some of these so-called “theologically-driven” terrorist organisations have no economic or governance undercurrent motives. Such positions are even totally out of sync with the acclaimed and recognised theories of Critical Terrorism Studies (CTS).

Moving on

So, to those who over this years-have wrongly assumed that these fanatics represent “everything Islam” should begin to revise their notes. It is however left to Muslims themselves to be central in the conversations to resituate such misconceived arguments about Islam. The Muslim Ummah (whether in our Zongos or other communities in Ghana) should not allow the actions and inactions of some very few misguided Muslims to define who a “real” Ghanaian Muslim is; after all, since the entry of Islam in Pre-Ghana, till the time when Christianity and other religions came, we have been living side-by-side with each other in our various communities in peace.

I am thrilled that already, some conversations are going on amongst Muslim Clerics and leaders in Ghana, on the need for all Ghanaian Muslims to fully cooperate with all government and other security agencies to trace, track and monitor the activities of people who are showing signs and characterisations that fit the profile of potential recruits. The Islamic Peace and Security Council, I believe, are also engaged in some efforts at various levels to lay the foundations for continuous and consistent engagement with all the outfits that matter, in the fight against fundamentalism in the country. All these efforts are commendable.

The best we can do is to consolidate on such efforts, to ensure that conversations that have the potential to draw a wedge between the Muslim and non-communities in Ghana are readily dealt with. We all want to be appreciated; and our views respected as we embark on making “project Ghana” a fruitful one. May Allah Bless Our Homeland Ghana, Ameen.

Inusah Mohammed Awall

Twitter: @Wagoooni