The arrest of popular humanist, Mubarak Bala on Tuesday in Kaduna for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed is presently generating controversy on social media.
Bala, who is the President of Humanist Association of Nigeria (HAN), was said to have been arrested by plain-cloth policemen over a Facebook post.
He was allegedly arrested after a group of lawyers led by one S.S. Umar reported his alleged blasphemous post to the Kano State Commissioner of Police.
Chairman, HAN Board of Trustees, Leo Igwe confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying security agents picked him up at his residence and detained him at Gbabasawa Police Station in Kaduna.
“All of us at the Humanist Association of Nigeria are deeply worried by the arrest and detention of our president, Mubarak Bala.
“Mubarak Bala will likely be handed over to the Kano State Police Command, that will prosecute him for blasphemy, a crime that caries a death sentence under sharia law,” the statement read in part.
Igwe appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai to intervene and ensure the HAN President’s release.
Read Also: Kaduna govt arrests Islamic cleric for keeping young girls as almajirai
But the suspect’s arrest is already generating social media unrest, as many have been arguing for and against the action.
Read comments monitored on Twitter:
Criminalising blasphemy under national laws rather than leaving it as a sin under personal beliefs is part of what Boko Haram stands for. Don't be like Boko Haram. #FreeMubarakBala
— Ayo Sogunro – #Transformist (@ayosogunro) April 29, 2020
We often think the problem of Nigeria is religion. The actual problem is authoritarianism and the desire to angrily impose your personal beliefs on other people.#FreeMubarakBala
— Aproko Doctor (@aproko_doctor) April 29, 2020
I think what annoys me more is how we “educated Muslims” that claim to know better just recline our seats when things like this happen, Then come and play the I don’t like how I’m being stereotyped card.
We need to do better as a collective #FreeMubarakBala
— T I A R A O L U W A _ (@Kassie_Usman) April 29, 2020
There’s no punishment for blasphemy in the Quran (The word of Allah), all the punishments you see are laws made by different leaders to oppress their people..You don’t have to take Allah’s battles #FreeMubarakBala pic.twitter.com/gcjVEmnHSJ
— Y.O. (@yojora) April 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/William_Ukpe/status/1255414045647286272
Nigerian Christians, most of them, won't see this. They'd import their inherent Ignorance on the "You're fighting for God" narrative. Blasphemy, as long as religion exist, remains an unacceptable behavior anywhere. If you don't honor your religion, we honor ours dearly so. https://t.co/tWz0imqtrZ
— Dr. Abubakar Umar Hidima (@Realoilsheikh) April 29, 2020
Okay let’s break this down.
1. Blasphemy is a religious offence.
2. Religion is a matter of personal beliefs.
3. Our Constitution allows for freedom of speech, thought & expression.
4. Mubarak is not a Muslim & should not be subject to Sharia laws. #FreeMubarakBala
— Moe (@Mochievous) April 29, 2020
I can choose to worship a stone & propagate that Jesus & Mohammed are frauds. So far I harm no one. Its fine. It’s an indictment on society & govt to admit that the opinion of anyone about religion can lead to violence & murder in 2020. This is Stone Age thinking #FreeMubarakBala
— Ayò Bánkólé (@AyoBankole) April 29, 2020
What is the difference between a govt (Federal or State) that arrests for blasphemy and Abubakar Shekau of Boko Haram that has been killing in the name of Allah?
Both are defending Allah. Both are terrorists.#FreeMubarakBala
— Mr Integrity (@Intergrity56) April 29, 2020
The only reason you still enforce blasphemy laws in 2020 is because your religion cannot withstand the slightest enquiry.
— Girl de Maupassant (@somiscellany) April 29, 2020
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