Forced Conversion To Islam In Nigeria: A Violation Of Human Rights

 The idea of forcing someone to convert to Islam, or any other religion, is a grave violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) guarantees the right to freedom of religion or belief, including the right to change one's belief or religion (Article 18). However, in some parts of Nigeria and Africa, individuals are coerced into adopting Islam, often through indiscriminate violence, intimidation, or social pressure. 

In Nigeria, there have been undeniable reports of forced conversion to Islam, as if there is anything so unique or beautiful about it, especially in the northern regions. The Boko Haram insurgency has led to the abductions and forced conversion of Christians and other non-Muslims. For example, in 2014, the Boko Haram militants, amongst their other heinous atrocities, abducted 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Bornu State, and forced them to convert to Islam, or be beheaded instantly. Upon proselytizing to Islam, those 200 girls were still vindictively subjected to ceaseless rounds of forced sexuality. Was this a fair treatment to those girls? If indeed Islam were a religion from Heaven, the Boko Haram members would not have mentioned sex to them under that circumstance. But, since avid carnality or unquenchable sexual urge is having dominion over them and they are enslaved to it, they had no power to resist it. Additionally, there have been reports of Fulani herdsmen attacking Christian communities, forcing them to flee their native homes and, in most cases, convert to Islam on the pain of death.

Forced conversions are not only limited to Nigeria alone, but to Africa too, and the world at large. In Libya, for example, 21 Coptic Christians were brutally killed in 2015 for refusing to renounce their Christian faith and accept Islam. This heinous act was perpetrated by the ISIS terrorist group. What was the offences of those 21 Christians against them? Nothing, except that their own god, commanded them to kill people for him. In like vein, in Pakistan, minority Christians and Hindus have been reportedly subjected to forced conversions to Islam, often through abductions and marriages. Candidly speaking, I do not know the type of deity that should encourage people to get followers for him through coercion or use of third-degrees. Which god does that? What is his name? Where is his abode? What does he stand to benefit from that? How can a holy, righteous, and sublime deity force people through the agency of brainwashed mortal men to get him servants whom he shall in return give eternal life after death. If you and I believe that eternal life is a reward for walking with God on this Earth, then it has to be by volition and not by coercion. The Creator of the universe cannot force you to accept Him and turn around to give you eternal life again which you did not choose by yourself. Only those people who accepted God by themselves can stand a chance to go to Heaven. It's not by conscription or compulsion. No, it cannot be! Therefore, to the best of my knowledge, the holy God of Heaven, the Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will NEVER use coercion (force) to seek for people to worship Him. God is not prodigal about His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is never for terrorists and bandits! 

Forced conversion is a blatant disregard for human dignity and freedom. It roundly violates several international human rights instruments, including:

• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 18

• The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, Article 8

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 14

The international community should take drastic or decisive actions to stop forced conversions in all their facets and protect vulnerable communities. The US Government too should:

• Condemn forced conversion to any religion or belief in strong terms and hold perpetrators responsible through international justice mechanisms

• Provide support and protection to victims of forced conversions 

• Engage in diplomatic efforts aimed at pressuring governments to protect religious minorities 

• Support education and awareness creation programmes promoting religious tolerance and highlighting co-existence

One of the worst things that can happen to anyone is to co-exist with radicalized extremist and brainwashed jihadists like Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, Lakurawa Jihadist, and Fulani herdsmen etc. Those people who have not witnessed religious extremism may not easily fathom its implications, direness, and opacity. How can you live comfortably with people whom their own god ( not the holy God of Heaven and Earth) has expressly mandated to shed blood daily for him, burn Churches with hundreds or thousands of people inside them, rape women and impregnate some under ovulation, displace vulnerable communities, and seize lands and properties? Believe me sincerely, if an angel tells me to kill or harm anybody in the name of religion, I will curse him! In 2015, the CNN reported how ISIS, the agents of Satan, killed 21 Coptic Christians in Libya. Was that action right? Does it make God happy that His creations were destroyed without offences by agents of Satan? Why should we do to others what we do not want them to do to us? Who wants to die a painful death in the hands of religious fundamentalists?Who wants to be beheaded by useless religious fundamentalists? Nobody! Why can't we live and let live? Suppose you were among those 21 ill-fated Coptic Christians who were killed by ISIS, what would you have done about it? Your family would have lost you because of useless religion! Must the human society be always volatile? Can't we have some peace on this Earth at least for once? Have you now seen the consequences of religion without education? Can you see that the information people are fed with make or mar them? Does God need you or me to kill anybody? Are we stronger than Him? The eternal God of the Bible can kill the whole inhabitants of the world under one second if He wants to do so! If you agree with me, why then should He always deploy men to help Him kill others who may even be better than them? Do you know all the victims of terrorism and banditry are obviously more holier and righteous than the terrorists and bandits who killed them? Yes. Therefore, let the children of Darkness stop using the name of the holy God to shed innocent blood! It is not fair at all!

In conclusion, forced conversion to any religion and belief is a scourge that must be eradicated throughout the world. The international community and the US Government should please unite and take drastic actions against the religious extremists, protect human rights, and promote tolerance. Every individual deserves the right to choose his/ her faith without fear, coercion, and apology to the dogs. It is hightime we united in promoting tolerance, understanding, and respect for human dignity. If Allah wants to kill people, let him do it by himself. He doesn't have to depend on weak mortals who can readily use that opportunity to kill or punish people whom they hate.

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