Islam is a religion of peace....only IF you are Yoruba

COPIED:   Islam is a religion of peace....only IF you are Yoruba!

Finding water in its liquid, solid or gaseous form on the surface of Mars is difficult, if not impossible. Finding a Yoruba Jihadist born and bred on Yoruba soil is equally impossible.

We've all heard of Islamist Terrorists from different ethnic groups and tribes but never in the history of radical religious extremism has a Yoruba Islamist terrorist been heard of. Radicalizing a Yoruba through religion appears to be an uphill task.

If transmigration of souls were true, then President Trump must have been a Yoruba man in his former life because of his 'America First' philosophy. Unlike any ethnicity I know within and outside the shores of Nigeria, the Yorubas are the only ones I know who put 'Yoruba First'. The 'Yoruba First' philosophy is stronger than any religious sentiments.

By 'Yoruba First' I do not mean that the Yoruba give favours only to Yoruba or that other tribes must rank second in sharing the goodies. No. The 'Yoruba First' philosophy simply means that for the Yoruba, our root, ethos and cultural ties come first and rank higher above any other considerations. The Yoruba people are deeply invested in their culture, ethos and ethics more than any other considerations.

This is why despite the fact that Yorubas have the highest number of Muslims in Nigeria after the Northerners, not one Islamist Terrorist has been linked to or found among the Yoruba. Our 'omoluwabi' (child of noble pedigree) ideology is stronger than any extremist indoctrination.

If I boarded a commercial plane with 20 heavily bearded Yoruba Muslims, I would be relaxed and confident the moment they speak Yoruba. This is because I know that they'd see me FIRST as 'eyan wa' or 'tiwa n tiwa' (our own) and not as an Infidel or Christian. This is the 'Yoruba First' philosophy. However, if I found one heavily bearded Northerner on the same airplane, I might easily become paranoid.

There is something about the Yoruba ethos that places great premium on human lives and family or blood. They hardly ever kill for any religion despite the fact that they are deeply religious. They are just progressives and liberal minded folks. Perhaps this is why it was very easy for Colonial Masters to relate with their Empires better than the others in the East and North; making the Yoruba the first to embrace the Queen's education in Nigeria.

It is only among the Yoruba that you'd find a Muslim & Christian marry each other, as uncommon as it is.

The Yoruba extended family is the most inclusive, diverse and accommodating I have ever seen under the sun. Take my extended family for instance;

I have Muslim Cousins, Muslim Aunt and Muslim Uncle. I also have Christian Aunts and Cousins. These uncle and aunts have the same parent (now late). Everyone in my own nuclear family is Christian. My Uncle is a devout Muslim. His wife is Christian. His children are Christians. Not once has religion ever caused friction or been a subject of family controversy among us. Not once to my knowledge.

In fact, my father used to actively celebrate all the Muslim festivities (Sallah etc) while my mother would drag us to church, yet not once did they fight because of religious differences. Their fights were for other things. Even my mum was born into a Muslim family. She became the first Christian in her family but never an outcast before her siblings. This is why I called the Yoruba a progressive people. The 'Yoruba First' philosophy at its finest. Little wonder the foreigners found an easy ally in them. They were balanced!

Even today, with the high number of Muslims and mosques in Yoruba States, these States remain destinations of choice for ALL Nigerians. Southwestern States are a potpourri of the ethnic groups in Nigeria. A melting pot of sorts. This is largely due to the fact that the Yoruba (particularly the Muslims) cannot be easily radicalized, and thus peaceful. This explains why the region (especially Lagos & Ogun States) enjoys massive foreign direct investments.

If all Muslims were Yoruba, Islam truly might end up being the most peaceful religion ever. Sadly, this is not the reality.

Proudly Yoruba.