http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/eyes-of-islam/48344-my-parents-are-anglicans-but
BY all accounts, Islam is a religion of peace. Some Christians may disagree because of continuous ongoing tensions around the globe in the Muslim world. I grew up among eight siblings who are Christians in various denominations.
Christianity is NOT perfect, but Christians continue to demean Muslims in books, documentaries and all sorts of forms of media, even cartoons.
The Westernized Christians have gone overboard with the character assassination of Prophet Mohammed and keep threading on those volatile waters. How do we stop this level of violence that can be triggered by such depiction of our Prophet?
United States of America Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said while in Yemen that Muslims around the world “must modernize” and I totally agree with her, while lamenting on the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens.
She however asked that Muslims in the Arab world “separate Mosque and state” which I don’t agree with as a modern Muslim myself. I grew up 30 years in the USA . In the U.S, Church and State are separated and there has been so much friction with that, as children cannot pray in schools, yet American coins read “In God we trust” so where’s the separation? I’m pretty sure “In Allah we trust” on coins will anger some American Christians.
Christians have their own forms of extremism too. The inquisitions and crusades, Andre Serrano’s photo of a crucifix in his own urine, as well as Chris Ofili’s portrait of the Virgin Mary made out of elephant faeces are some. Even entertainment connotations like pop singer Lady Gaga’s tracks like Judas, Bloody Mary and Black Jesus. No noise is made. If Christians don’t care, maybe they need to take caution when using Western forms and styles of insulting Islam. Many Muslims care and are very sensitive to such. We must all identify the root of what triggers these forms of violence and not to escalate it. Say NO to violence and anything that may trigger it is my motto.
My parents however are Anglicans but little do you know that I grew up with my paternal grandmother, Alhaja Bintu Tejumola Olunloyo, who raised me from age 10 to 15. I lived with her for convenience sake as her Molete home was minutes from my school St. Theresa’s Girls College in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, and the long public transport commute from University of Ibadan where my father worked was getting stressful causing me lots of asthma attacks.
I was 10 years old and watched everything my grandma did. She “liked to pray” five times daily, washing hands, feet and saying something, then I later found out it was the rule of Islam, so I started praying with her.
We went to the Mosque for Jumat services after school on Fridays and then I went home for the weekend to the rest of my siblings. I learned the concepts of Islam, grabbed my Quran and read what it taught and became empowered. Has the freedom of religion been overstretched and abused by some Christians? I say YES! Currently, the Arab world is reeling from the aftermath of an anti-Islamic movie which caused a lot of violence in Libya claiming the life of United States Ambassador Christopher Stevens, fighting in Egypt , Yemen and even parts Northern Nigeria .
Omololu-Olunloyo is a Music Journalist, Anti-Violence Activist.
‘My parents are Anglicans but ...’
Written by Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo Friday, 28 September 2012
Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo
Christianity is NOT perfect, but Christians continue to demean Muslims in books, documentaries and all sorts of forms of media, even cartoons.
The Westernized Christians have gone overboard with the character assassination of Prophet Mohammed and keep threading on those volatile waters. How do we stop this level of violence that can be triggered by such depiction of our Prophet?
United States of America Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said while in Yemen that Muslims around the world “must modernize” and I totally agree with her, while lamenting on the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens.
She however asked that Muslims in the Arab world “separate Mosque and state” which I don’t agree with as a modern Muslim myself. I grew up 30 years in the USA . In the U.S, Church and State are separated and there has been so much friction with that, as children cannot pray in schools, yet American coins read “In God we trust” so where’s the separation? I’m pretty sure “In Allah we trust” on coins will anger some American Christians.
Christians have their own forms of extremism too. The inquisitions and crusades, Andre Serrano’s photo of a crucifix in his own urine, as well as Chris Ofili’s portrait of the Virgin Mary made out of elephant faeces are some. Even entertainment connotations like pop singer Lady Gaga’s tracks like Judas, Bloody Mary and Black Jesus. No noise is made. If Christians don’t care, maybe they need to take caution when using Western forms and styles of insulting Islam. Many Muslims care and are very sensitive to such. We must all identify the root of what triggers these forms of violence and not to escalate it. Say NO to violence and anything that may trigger it is my motto.
My parents however are Anglicans but little do you know that I grew up with my paternal grandmother, Alhaja Bintu Tejumola Olunloyo, who raised me from age 10 to 15. I lived with her for convenience sake as her Molete home was minutes from my school St. Theresa’s Girls College in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, and the long public transport commute from University of Ibadan where my father worked was getting stressful causing me lots of asthma attacks.
I was 10 years old and watched everything my grandma did. She “liked to pray” five times daily, washing hands, feet and saying something, then I later found out it was the rule of Islam, so I started praying with her.
We went to the Mosque for Jumat services after school on Fridays and then I went home for the weekend to the rest of my siblings. I learned the concepts of Islam, grabbed my Quran and read what it taught and became empowered. Has the freedom of religion been overstretched and abused by some Christians? I say YES! Currently, the Arab world is reeling from the aftermath of an anti-Islamic movie which caused a lot of violence in Libya claiming the life of United States Ambassador Christopher Stevens, fighting in Egypt , Yemen and even parts Northern Nigeria .
Omololu-Olunloyo is a Music Journalist, Anti-Violence Activist.
