By
Pal Chol Nyan*
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| Photo Credit: www.eurovisionfamily.tv |
As
the Muslim world begins fasting for the Holy month of Ramadan, I hope this Holy
month will bring in hope for a genuine and sustainable peace and stability in
the whole world. It is my cherished hope as well that those who are butchering,
in cold-blood, innocent children, elderly and women in the Middle East, the Gulf
using Islam, and in some parts of Africa where the tenets of leadership have
slipped out of the hands of the dictators or those, who are trying to be so by
all means just because their eyes have been blindfolded by a blood quest for
wealth and power, will call it quit.
I
also call upon those who use the name of Islam to cause anarchy and lawlessness
in Somalia, Libya and the so-called jihadists who terrorize and behead people
to refrain from doing so. Islam is a religion to be revered and not to be used
for unlawful killings and destruction of the world. I take this opportunity to
thank my mentor and teacher Dr. Abubakr Bashir Mohammed and Dr. Emmanuel
Jermano, both are Physicians, who taught and helped me know the ABC of medicine
and molded my behavior and attitudes towards how I deal with and treat the
patients. If there are things I know, these two men have a big hand as I am now
guided by their lofty teachings and ethics.
I
would be remiss if I failed to mention something about South Sudan as our
Muslim brothers and sisters in all corners of the world start fasting, this
country, Almighty God and through your Prophet Mohammed (PUH) along with
Abubakr, Al sadiq (friend), has been plunged into senseless war by her own sons
and daughter over power wrangle. Many lives have been claimed and many more
either displaced internally or sought refuge in the neighboring countries under
deplorable conditions. We ask for forgiveness and reconciliation among
ourselves.
As a
country endowed with abundant natural resources and arable land, the
inhabitants, instead of engaging themselves in making it a good place to live
in, they opted to subject it to instability, insecurity and economic hardships.
We pray with all our conscience that God changes the hearts of those at the
helm of power to put the country above their individual needs to end the suffering.
We are undergoing this suffering under their noses while they show no sign of
remorse readable on faces. They have their material wealth the mortal man needs
on earth.
I
will not shy away again from thanking the Collegial Presidency for the steps
they are now taking to implement the deal they affixed their signatures on,
albeit, some of us may be surprised to see that some of the things being done
are not enshrined in the agreement. At least, there is a change of heart and
the will to implement the agreement. It’s sad to realize and understand that
the whole exercise is/was more about positions rather than reforms to say the
least. We pray for transparency and accountability.
We
are voiceless and helpless otherwise why should we allow our resources to be
used by oligarchs and tribal elites who conduct themselves arrogantly?
My
humble appeal to the Muslim brothers and sisters in South Sudan is to pray for
our leaders and the country. La ikra fi
diin goes the adage. Whatever religion we own and worship, we are at the
end God's people and God's people are kind hearted, religious, god-fearing,
hospitable and affable, the list is long.
As I conclude, I congratulate Shiek Tahir Bior
and the Muslim community in South Sudan on the Holy month of Ramadan and wish
them good health. Ramadan Kareem to all of you. Thank you!
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