Religious tolerance is to live with your faith and allowing others to live with their faith in peace. However, a situation where you have a Pastor as Chairman, Oyo state Teaching Service Commission, under his watchful eyes, 10% questions for recruitment of teachers were Christianity based but were removed until when the Muslims protested.
Constructively, conflict of interests may not be ruled out or a wrong signal is sent to the Muslims and others. This is a bad precedence. If after a year or two under the watchful eye of same Pastor, foreigners are in public schools again to preach to minors, distrupt teaching activities and sharing flyers in school for almost two weeks without any caution until when Muslims community reacted, then, it is no more about oversight but deliberate evangelism, indoctrination and Christianisation agenda.
Over the years, Muslims are always at the receiving ends. It is on record that use of hijab agitation started in Lagos state when a Muslim was sighted outside the School premises, by an overzealous school Principal. The student was later cainned the following day in the school for use of hijab that took place outside the school premises of a public school. Rather than taking laws into their hands, the Muslim community in Lagos state sued Lagos state government to court, demands for enforcement of human rights. They lost their case in High Court but won at the appellate court.
In Osun state, the Muslim Community also sued Osun state government to court to enforce their rights. Unfortunately, the CAN demonstrated religious intolerance, they asked to be joined in the suit along with the state government in the High and Court of appeal. The Osun state Muslim Community won their cases both in High court and Court of Appeal.
Where then lies religious intolerance and fanaticism if calling for the enforcement of the court ruling by Muslims was vehemently opposed by CAN in Osun state for instance?
Preaching in Oyo state public schools by foreigners is absurd, retrogressive and rebirth of colonial days Christian evangelism in modern day. It is indoctrinations against the wish of the parents and totally unacceptable.
It is as well illegal because the foreigners require work permit to teach, pass messages and knowledge in public schools despite the fact that their activities is 100% religious beliefs indoctrinations. No foreigners will be allowed in any European school to preach religion in public schools at all with or without permission.
Minors rights like freedom of worship is breached. The time meant for academic purposes are reduced. Such actions should be condemned by all instead of the Oyo state Muslim Community alone. It is then, we can have religious harmony in Oyo state. Otherwise, religious crises is looming in Oyo state.
Abdulwaheed Badmus writes from the United States of America.
