Nigerian activist and writer Reno Omokri has asked Christian groups not to challenge the recent closure of schools in some northern states due to Ramadan fasting.
In a post on Instagram, Omokri explained that opposing these closures could lead to similar reactions from Islamic groups. He warned that this could result in disputes over school holidays for Christian celebrations.
Omokri also pointed out that Nigeria has historically had more school closures for Christian holidays than for Islamic ones. He believes that allowing schools to close for Ramadan promotes fairness and religious tolerance.
What do you think about school closures for religious holidays? Should both Christian and Islamic holidays be treated the same way?
His post reads:
‘’I urge the Christian Association of Nigeria not to get into any legal dispute regarding the temporary closure of schools in some Northern states to enable students to participate in the Ramadan fasts. It could unleash a tit for tat reciprocal actions from Islamic groups, given that because of Nigeria’s colonial history, we have more school closures for holidays for the benefit of Christendom (different from Christianity) than for Islam.
Nigerian schools go on Easter breaks, Christmas holidays, and New Year celebrations and our school year is designed around the British brand of Christendom, yet Muslims cooperate with these closures.
In Nigeria, Monday through Friday is a work and school day, favouring Christendom, yet Muslims abide by it. Throughout the Islamic world, Friday is a work and school-free day, while Sunday is a work and school day. But in Nigeria, it is the reverse.
This has nothing to do with the culture of precolonial Nigeria. It is an imposition of Western-style Christianity that our Muslim brethren have accepted as a sacrifice for peace and stability in Nigeria. If they can sacrifice for us, perhaps we can allow them to do in their enclaves what suits their customs and mores.
Taking these into consideration, it may be prudent to sheathe our swords as these core Northern states, with a clear Muslim majority, rejig the school calendar to accommodate the culture and tradition of their respective residents.
Even if the Christian Association of Nigeria must intervene, then let it be by way of an appeal, not in the form of a threat of legal action. Threats are a MURIC-like behaviour. We must be Christlike.
Might I remind us all that these states are within their constitutional rights as primary, secondary and tertiary education are in the concurrent list of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Besides, what have we done as Christians when nursery, primary, and secondary schools, as well as universities, are shut for fifty-four Mondays every year in some parts of the country?”
