Re: A letter to that Nigerian-Palestinian

My column last Friday generated a heated debate, with reactions both patronising and scathingly critical of my position. This week, I yield this space to a sample of the reactions shared by readers – GimbaKakanda.

Yomi Okusanya Scott:
Nice read Gimba Kakanda. However I still think issues should be addressed on its own merits or de-merits. Juxtaposing them do neither any justice. Just my humble view too. I do admire your almost palpable passion though. Keep the fire burning. It is well with your soul.

Usman Zakari Ibrahim:
Honestly, I have studied how our people lend solidarity to not only Palestinian people but also other Arab countries entangled in crises. Virtually all our mosques pray for them and so also most discussions centre on Gaza and the likes on many occasions. That those people are being oppressed and unfairly murdered is not in doubt. Yes. That yes, they deserve our empathies and sympathies as humans and ‘brothers in faith’ is understandable, but honestly, why same passion wasn’t lent to our local tragedies as Gimba rightly queried is still a mystery to me. That innocent people are wantonly killed on daily basis is enough trouble for Nigerians already. But unfortunately while I lose sleep over Borno and Yobe, Kano and Kaduna callous massacre s of innocent Nigerians, many people who do not seem particularly concerned about the bloodletting in Nigeria now so much care about Gaza. I won’t call it hypocrisy though; but definitely something is terribly wrong with our psyche. I don’t think any country has ever faced a ruthless terrorist group as Nigeria. That schools, markets, places of worship and other places of gathering are the targets of Boko Haram is too scary. That anyone with western education or even believes in government of democracy is an enemy is to them is unsettling. That their attacks are senselessly targetted at the ordinary people is terribly horrifying. We need all the support, frankly, to fight Boko Haram for now, not actually give support to others who after all have a lot sympathising with them already. And true, only the #bringbackourgirls campaign ever drew international attention to Nigeria; all the carnage we experienced was never internationalised as well as Gaza’s.

Khadijah Muhammad:
I disagree with your analysis. The fact that in Palestine we know it is the govt of Israel that is killing the Palestinians. But in Nigeria everybody knows that Ali Modu is the bona fide founder of BH but he is still treated with respect. I am concerned with BH and I am equally concerned with all the oppressed people in Burma, Central African Republic, and Nigerian. But what can u do with Naija when because of tribalism people will never be brought to book. When some former guvnors will clearly state that at one point they were giving taxes to BH and the govt will give them posts. I am truly concerned and I pray for Nigerians but when we hear BH members with clear Kanuri accent.

Aliyu Cisse:
You spoke my mind Gimba! What happened today at the national mosque was unfortunate. Can you believe the imam passionately asked for special prayers for the Gaza people but he never mentioned Kaduna twin bombs or even what he opens in Kano just the day before, let alone the consistent murder of Nigerians in Borno. Sad!

Rabiu Shamma:
Yes Gimba I buy into most of the arguments in this letter but not all of it certainly. It seems contradictory. At one point you professed that humanity is what guides you and at another you said you won’t speak for Gazza because you are in mourning or that your house is also on fire. If it is true that humanity is what guides your decision then you must be shown to abhor any act that diminishes that humanity wherever in the world, more so that you are experiencing something similar in your backyard. What I expected this letter to address therefore would have been a call for some of us to show more concern to what is happening here as we are doing towards Gazza, not discouraging or even disapproving it. It is for humanity that we must speak against BH, it is for humanity that we speak against Israel, it is for humanity that we speak against the treatment of Christians in Iraq, and it is for humanity that we must also speak against all atrocities in Nigeria and anywhere around the world Gimba.

Genshak Golak:
Well done my brother, I couldn’t believe that it’s still possible to find one singular being with this amazing humanistic feeling devoid of any religious colouration. You are simply a gem my brother. One thing I will tell you is not to relent and don’t allow yourself to be cowed with threats whatsoever because you will surely see them.  You are simply a Muslim with a different. Humanity is our common ground and that is what gives us the human face. Once again thank Kakanda.

Adam Baba Yamani:
Whatever one is claiming to profess, Islam, Christianity or any other faiths, the humanity in us demands that we empathically sympathise with victims of oppression, we that people of Borno need all the support and sympathy of every human being with conscience, the Palestinians need it more, we have been under insurgency for less than five years, they have been under oppressive Zionist occupation for more than half of a century, supporting Gaza doesn’t make one less Nigerian patriotically.