Truth Is Bitter Series (Ep 5)
Short satirical reflections on faith, society and the uncomfortable truths we avoid. First published in the Rabbil Thani/Awwal 1434 AH (2013) print edition of The PEACE Magazine.
By Abdulfattah Abdussalam
HIV Under the Veil?
The veil connotes piety; it significantly confers on Muslim women a lot of dignity, ‘for those women who veil their Islamic practices will be at the zenith’. But developments around us in Nigeria may now put a question mark on the piety of a veiled woman. In recent discussions, medical personnel were quick to reveal the alarming rate at which some women under the veils are now infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) particularly HIV. Records indicate that some have. even degenerated to AIDS. For God’s sake, how and why should a veiled woman have an STD, not to mention HIV and AIDS! At any rate, the searchlight should go beyond our women; who knows what the men may be up to? Perhaps the rate of the claimed conscious Muslim men in waywardness is worse. May Allah have mercy on us. In many Islamic societies, cases of STDs and HIV are almost non-existent. We need to search our souls if we are truly practicing Islam in Nigeria.
The Pope Resigns
To an average news follower, the story about Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation might be shocking. Butto a conscious Muslim, it does not, but only reinforces the fact that Allah (SWT) is ever living. No one replaces or demotes Allah; He is ever constant. Still, if one goes by the way some Christians ‘hero worship’ their leaders, and particularly by the reported 1.2 billion Catholic faithful worldwide who revere the Pope, one does not expect him to have adduced any reason for abdicating his ‘throne’. To his flock of followers, he is like a ‘God’ and politically important than any world President. Remarkably, his resignation only buttresses that all human beings (tenure) are just for a while. However, one truth remains in his action, that he has demonstrated uncommon attitude and unique leadership traits – honesty and service to mankind, which many lack; many in his shoes would rather die in power than abdicate.
The Passionate Hafeez
Talent and passion are two different human features, but still both have certain links. If one is talented in a particular aspect of life and such natural gift is developed, this brings positive outcome. Yet, if someone is passionate and focused about something, he will end up the way the earlier does. The case of Haji Behreez Yari Goi, an Iranian Hafeez Quran (Memorizer of Quran aptly justifies this reasoning. The aged Hafeezul surprised but yet impressed the onlookers while reciting verses of the Quran, during an educational exchange programme to Nigeria recently. Regardless of his age, Hajj Goi memorized the Quran and recited eloquently in the tones of different and notable Arab reciters. However, Hafeez Goi demonstrated unreserved respect and humility when he declined to mention who among the renowned reciters he preferred. He only explained that each of the reciters’ approach was standard and whichever recitation style one chooses to follow was in order, adding that it all depends on individuals’ choice.
Editor’s Note: Truth Is Bitter is a weekly reflective and satirical column drawn from the “Front of the Book” pages of Peace Magazine. It seeks to provoke introspection, not hostility; reform, not ridicule.
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