Northern Nigerians Are Trapped In Islam For Fear Of Their Lives – Former Yoruba Muslim Declares

In a series of tweets that have sparked significant discussion online, a former Yoruba Muslim, known on X (formerly Twitter) as @alpontif, has made a bold declaration about the state of religious freedom in Northern Nigeria. The individual, who thoroughly studied Islamic texts and practices before leaving the faith, argues that many Northern Nigerians are trapped within Islam, not out of belief, but out of fear for their very lives. This perspective offers a controversial yet deeply personal insight into the religious dynamics within one of Africa’s most populous countries.

@alpontif’s journey began as a devout Muslim, delving into the Quran, various hadiths, and other religious texts like Bulugh al-Maram and Riyadus Salihin. They outlined the three main branches within Islam – Sunni, Sufi, and Shia – but focused their critique on Sunni Islam, which they described as fundamentalist in nature and particularly harsh on women’s rights and non-Muslims. According to the thread, under Sunni doctrine, women are fundamentally disadvantaged, and converts or non-Muslims face severe repercussions, including death for apostasy or heavy taxation (jizyah) for Christians living in Muslim-majority areas.

The former Muslim highlighted that in Northern Nigeria, where Sunni Islam is predominant, the fear of leaving the religion is palpable. They asserted, “I guarantee you that a lot of Muslims agree with me, but cannot leave the religion they were born into out of fear for their lives.” This statement points to a systemic issue where the freedom to choose one’s religion is overshadowed by the threat of violence or social ostracism. The individual went on to describe Islam, particularly in its Sunni form, as not just a religion but a political ideology that uses force to maintain its dominance, equating it to a “death dealing cult” because of the prescribed penalty for apostasy.

The thread drew parallels between the enforcement of Islamic law in Northern Nigeria and the activities of groups like Boko Haram, suggesting that these extremist groups are merely practicing a more radical version of the same fundamentalist principles. “What Boko haram, and other Islamic terror groups are proposing is actually Islam in its purest form,” @alpontif stated, indicating that the violence and strict enforcement seen in these groups are not aberrations but extensions of deeply rooted religious doctrines.

Further, @alpontif criticized the political nature of Islam, arguing that it inherently functions as a political party using religion as a tool for power. They suggested that this political aspect is why violence is often employed as a means of expansion and control, a tactic they believe is deeply ingrained in the Islamic world’s approach to governance and societal control.

The discussion also touched upon the cultural differences within Nigeria, with @alpontif noting their ability to leave Islam was facilitated by their Yoruba heritage, which they described as more liberal and less entangled with religious enforcement. They contrasted this with the situation in the North, where they claimed, “A vast number of northern Nigerians are trapped in Islam, out of fear for their lives if they try to go against the grain.”

This narrative raises significant questions about religious freedom, human rights, and the role of religion in governance. It challenges the notion that religious practice in Northern Nigeria is a matter of free will, instead suggesting it is often a matter of survival. The former Muslim’s critique extends to democratic societies’ tolerance of such practices, questioning why systems that value freedom and human rights allow the propagation of a religion that, according to them, inherently punishes apostasy with death.

In response to potential skepticism or requests for evidence, @alpontif encouraged readers to independently research using tools like ChatGPT, reinforcing their call for personal investigation into the principles of Islam as practiced in Nigeria. They posed a provocative question to believers, “If your faith really sure for you, why are you afraid of questioning its principles and why it is the way it is?” This suggests a broader call for introspection and critical examination of one’s faith, free from fear of reprisal.

The thread concludes with a personal reflection on @alpontif’s spiritual journey, having explored various religions before settling on Christianity, emphasizing a life of questioning and philosophical inquiry. They assert that true faith should withstand scrutiny and that any system that cannot tolerate questioning might not be serving the spiritual needs of its followers but rather political ends.

This discussion, while controversial, opens up a dialogue on the intersection of religion, culture, and personal freedom in Nigeria, particularly in the North, where the enforcement of religious laws can be stringent. It invites a broader conversation on how to balance religious tradition with modern human rights standards, especially the right to religious freedom and safety from persecution for one’s beliefs or lack thereof.