The way innocent Fulani boys are being harassed and mistreated in villages across Yoruba land is disturbing.
In the last 48 hours alone, I have come across more than ten different videos of young Fulani boys being paraded as bandits or terrorists without any clear evidence being presented.
This is one of the dangers of insecurity and collective blame. When people become angry and afraid, entire communities can end up being judged by the actions of a few individuals.
It reminds me of the warning of Allah in Surah Al-Anfāl about trials and tribulations whose consequences do not only affect the wrongdoers, but can also reach innocent people.
We must be careful not to allow fear, anger, or prejudice to make us unjust. Criminals should be identified and punished for their crimes, but innocent people should not suffer simply because they share an ethnicity, tribe, or background with those criminals.
May Allah protect the innocent, expose the guilty, and grant justice to all.
Āmīn.
Almighty. Protect us from the evils all around. Grant us the strength and good patience to cope with our trials. Help us surrender to Your Decree because You know what we don’t. You know us better than we know ourselves! You know what we need. You know what’s best for us! Aameen.
Dear all,
This is not the time to cover for friends who lie to their parents or partners about their whereabouts. Please don’t do it. The country is not as safe as it used to be, and this is not a meme or a joke.
If an adult chooses to lie and tell people they are coming to your place when they are actually going somewhere else, do not allow yourself to be used as a cover-up.
If anything unfortunate happens to them, you may find yourself unable to explain your way out of the situation. Nobody will be there to vindicate you.
Protect yourself. Let people be honest about where they are going and who they are with.
May Allah keep all of us safe, protect our loved ones, and return everyone home safely.
Āmīn.