In the last few days, tongues have wagged over this man (Prof. Ishaq Akintola) than he had ever had, because he has obviously become more popular and controversial for his penchant vibe to trend with everything Islamic today, especially those with ethnoreligious colouration, with brazen radicalism and more recently political linings, which appears more like of a civil right face looking for attention than one going by the core Ideals for safe religious interest of Islam.
For me, this calls for our national attention as Muslims, and on this, I seek to write on what I think of him, based on what I know of him.
So, who is this man and what does it represent?
Well, here are three things I can say about him.
1. He is a Scholar: Yes, I have seen people saying all sort of things which is unavoidable as Yoruba will say, that “eni pe soso a rija soso” He who calls for trouble must find one.. Lol!
But to the letter, he is an Islamic scholar with rich Islamic family heritage in Ife.
I had read many comments from those who graduated from LASU years ago, and many agreed he had always been like that. A Kii gbo kii’igba type. It started from childhood.
Someone said jokingly that the trait must have been curated from some of older generations of Muslims in Ife who waged war on Idol worshippers in what many will call Islamic fanactism today. Lol
This according to Ife Islamic history resulted into a win-loose approach by those who tread the path.
Preaching Islam in Ife many decades ago doesn’t but come with some form of resistance, and it divides the first early faithfuls, where some will forcefully tell adherents what to do and what may not please others while some were like, let’s play along with these people. When you hear of how mosque was built beside a national tourist site for Esu called Idi Esu Ilare, you can’t but start thinking of how possible. Lol. Some said it was forcefully like Prof Ishaq is doing and some said it was borne out wisdom
But factually, from what we heard, what really converted many today’s Ife muslims to Islam in the history is best found in Yoruba songs like “Imole o ni a mo feyawo meji, esin o ni a mo soro ile wa” (Islam doesn’t forbid us from polygamy and doesn’t stop us from continued joining of our annual idol festivals) – A view that allows people to practice Islam with paganism from start and accept many cultural belief.
This, according to history was a huge success in bringing many to the folds of Islam in a win-win approach, and as insight comes, it later becomes clearer to later generations that Islam is strict monotheism. Non aside, non before and non after one God – Allah. But the bitter truth that people like Prof. Akintola must know is that, Nigeria is a secular state and has very good history of mutual relationship between the two prominent religious, as well as scars of heated divides, hence sensitive issues should be carefully be dabbled into, to avoid social onslaught.
2. Prof. Ishiaq is core Socio-Political radicalist with Islamic affiliation. He should even better be addressed as a Comrade. I had known about him for close to 7yrs now when he started becoming popular and someone mentioned his name as an Ife Professor at Lasu and I see him at Protests and rallies, especially on June 12 remembrance of MKO. Then it became clear to me, that this man is another Aluta man than people think of him as just a face of Islam.
He is even more Aluta at home, or how do you explain a man who chooses to excuse himself from the Nikkah (wedding) of his Doctor Daughter? And his response on why he chooses to abstain, became viral on almost all pages of paper and social networking sites with many commending him.
Another experience was when his promising Unilag Engineering undergraduate son died and he is on newspaper three days after, doing owambe Social vanguard like nothing disturbing happened just two days ago. Lol
Really, Prof. Ishiaq is a Muslim right activist so to say and his activism is of Islamic niche which culminated into later founding what he calls the Muslim Right Concern (MURIC) which to me is like a personal NGO and not a roundtable gathering of some people or association, hence why it appears he is the only name behind the name. Lol.
3. He is Media Aided: Today MURIC has become so popular today that very few people will know the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs is the main government recognized body like CAN to attend to issues of Islam in Nigeria but suddenly MURIC, a one man mopol body seems to be seen everywhere as Egbe Akoya for Muslims which he had done greatly with, in the past, until now when you have to distance yourself from the man.
Whatever becomes his voice today is what the media is projecting. Journalists are looking for him everywhere to say something about almost everything. If any Muslim -Christian disagreement happens in Akoko, Journalists would have been to his place to be the first to write the catchy headline from his interview that must surely roll heads. Today on NYSC hijab, it’s him. Government cabinet religious ratio, it is him. Today on Public Holiday, It is him, so it is not surprising why he has enjoyed the public attention that much, that he puts his head in a serious issue like Amotekun that has funnily turned him to a laughing stock in days and have attracted all sorts of insults.
Personally, as an Ife man who respects Elders, and equally place high, Prof. Ishaq – who is probably one of the only two Professors of Islamic Studies from the ancient town, I expect him to be more civil, diplomatic and apply wisdom with thorough research on issues before he allows the media to litter him in mud of what remains of his little scholastic astuteness. I know verily, that to have a PhD in Islamic Studies in Nigeria 30yrs ago, doesn’t come cheap, so I will humbly wish he has a rethink on how best to comment on Issues of National Importance.
I have never met him, but I will respect him as a father, which he can be to me, to be wary of the convoluted heating Nigerian polity and to portray Islam rightly.
For Knowledge Sake, here is a detailed Biography of MURIC founder, Prof. Ishiaq Akintola as culled from his website.
PROFILE
ISHAQ AKINTOLA: Professor of Islamic Eschatology, Muslim Activist, Human Rights Activist, Social Commentator, Advocate of Dialogue.
MY PHILOSOPHY: I remain oppressed until the hungry are fed, the naked clothed,the sick healed and the homeless sheltered.
BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
Ishaq Akintola was born in Obaloran Compound, Ile-Ife. Ishaq’s mother died when he was just three years old. From the very tender age of five years, crowds used to listen to Ishaq as he recited the Qur’an at the Ile-Ife Central Mosque, Enuwa where he was placed on top of a table for all to see. He finished the Qur’an at the early age of nine years. He also learnt more Arabic under Ustadh Abdul Rauf (Ketefe) at Ojoyin, Ile-Ife.
HIS EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER
He was soon overtaken by his childhood love for Islamic education and he left his hometown, Ile-Ife, for the famous Ma’had Arabic Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan.
His university education began with a Certificate course in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan where he excelled and got a Distinction plus the Arab League Prize. In 1975 he traveled to Cairo, Egypt, where he studied Simultaneous Translation (Arabic/English/French) at the Al-Azhar University which is the first university in the world. He returned to Nigeria in 1979 and obtained his Masters in Arabic and Islamic Studies as well as Master of Philosophy at the University of Ibadan in 1981and 1983 respectively. He bagged his doctorate degree (Ph.D) at the University of Ilorin in 1990.
Ishaq Akintola worked as a teacher of Arabic at the Oshowusi Memorial Grammar School, Iloko, Ilesha (1972 – 1974), and at the Islamic High School, Orita-Bashorun, Ibadan (1980 – 1984). He became a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU) in 1984.
HIS JIHAD AND DA‘WAH ACTIVITIES
Is-haq Akintola is a born jihadist. Even as a young student in the Arabic Institute, Ibadan (Ma’had), he led fellow students in a protest. In Cairo, he led students of al-Azhar University to confront science students who mocked and cheated students of Arabic and they won their freedom. After returning to Nigeria, he joined Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, Femi Falana and others in the Campaign for Democracy to confront military dictators.
He established two Islamic organizations: the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) for the protection and promotion of the rights of Muslims in Nigeria and beyond and Tele-Dawah for the preaching of Islam on television, radio and through public lectures and tracts. Today he is the Director of the Muslim Rights Concern, Ambassador of Tele-Dawah and Coordinator of Muslims Against Aids (MAIDS). Is-haq Akintola is always in the news either on television, on radio or on the pages of newspapers. Akintola is, no doubt, an icon of great treasure, a jihadist of repute.
Ishaq Akintola led Nigerian Muslims in the agitation for a work-free Friday. He also featured prominently in the struggle to establish Shari’ah by engaging Christians in debates on radio and television. His deep knowledge of the Bible enabled him to defeat all his opponents. He has led Lagos Muslims to demonstrate against Israel and to protest against hijab restrictions. Akintola’s boldness knows no bounds. He is a friend of the oppressed, a champion of the masses.
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PEACE AND RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE IN NIGERIA
Dr. Akintola has used the two Islamic organizations established by him, namely, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC, an Islamic human rights organization) and Telly Dawah (a preaching outfit) to promote peace and religious tolerance in Nigeria. Through MURIC, Akintola organized several workshops and seminars to enlighten fellow Muslims and Nigerians in general about the peaceful nature of Islam. MURIC has repeatedly condemned terrorism and all forms of violence.
The press statements of MURIC which are broadcast on radio and television as well as published in newspapers have been able to douse tension in the country on many occasions. Dr. Akintola’s weekly appearance on television since the early nineties and his other personal appearances as guest on other programmes and on different television channels have contributed immensely to bridging the gap between Muslims and adherents of other religions in Nigeria. His second organization, Telly Dawah, has organized several programmes where both Christian and Islamic scholars engage one another in friendly discussions to promote interfaith understanding. Tele-Dawah has also printed tracts for free distribution to Nigerians particularly on the thorny issues of ethnicity and religious bigotry.
HIS SOCIAL LIFE
Akintola is a warm and friendly person. He is an extrovert to the core. His strong sense of patriotism motivated him to participate in virtually every progressive activity in his vicinity. In recognition of his commitment to the healthy growth of his immediate community, he was made the Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA) of the Frontline Zones of Victory Estate, Iba, in Lagos State where he resides. His keen interest in ensuring success in the fight against crime led him to join the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Ojo Division, Lagos State where he became the treasurer and later Vice Chairman.
HIS FAMILY LIFE
Dr. Akintola is happily married with children.
Lateef Eluyemi writes from Ile-Ife
