Islamic religion is an insult to the Republic of South Sudan national identity and the pride of South Sudanese citizens.

By John Bith Aliap, Adelaide, South Australia.

This piece of article may generate mixed feelings such as emotions, anxiety and antagonism amongst South Sudanese due to its sensitivity, but this does not worry me as long as I’m ingenuous about what is unfolding in our country. As a message to those who may view this opinion as an attack targeting Islamic community in South Sudan, that is not so my dear, but rather a truth telling opinion piece that is  only meant for the welfare of the Republic South Sudan.

Muslims prayed at the end of Ramadan in Juba.

In comparison to other religions, the Islamic religion would be regarded as the fastest growing religion in the world, especially in African nations. Through this growth, our blessed country ‘the Republic of South Sudan’ has now become a paradise and a safe heaven for Islamic expansion before and even after the independence on the 9^th of July this year.

Whilst people of South Sudan have recently escaped all forms of abuse and humiliation under the Islamic united Sudan, the Islamic religion remains a grave threat to social, political and economic stability of the Republic South Sudan. The contemporary growing number of the so-called South Sudanese Muslim communities in the Republic of South Sudan is an insult to South Sudan national integrity, identity, pride of South Sudanese citizens, and also a conduit that Arabs can use to infiltrate into South Sudan either now or in the future. As our history proves, the growth of Islamic religion will potentially cause a quantity of practical challenges in South Sudan economically, socially and politically.

Although universal rights are guaranteed in the constitution of the Republic of South Sudan including the right of worship, this concept of “universal” rights needs to be considered over the precedence of the ‘individual’ rights to freedom of religion.  Hence, when religious freedom and expression infringes on the existence of others as Islam disapproves the existence of others, South Sudanese who are concern about their national identity and stability should re-think in allowing Islamic religion which has historically been a cause for our suffering to be practice in their hardly won country.

In many cases around the world, Islamic religion can barely co-exist with other religions as its foundation is based on the basis of falsity and extreme hatred of non-Muslims, and this has always results to religious rivalry in some other countries. In reality, there are many trouble spots at the regional and international levels, but it is easy to make an educational guess in the Islamic based conflicts such as Muslims vs. Jews in Palestine, Muslims vs. Hindus in Kashmir, Muslims vs. Christians in Nigeria, Muslims vs. Coptic in Egypt, Muslims vs. Buddhists in Thailand, Muslims vs. Russians in the Caucasus, and very soon, it will be Muslims vs. Christians in South Sudan.

Although Muslims community in South Sudan portrayed themselves as peaceful and tolerance community of faith which had recently attracted the president of South Sudan Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit to attend their gathering, our history can otherwise prove what the Islamic religion is all about. It is well known that Islamic ideology is based upon an intense hatred, mass murdering, terrorism, raping, falsity and occupation of other people’s lands as has been the issue throughout the Islamic history.

Unlike other religions which embrace human dignity and respect, Islamic religions is a collection of madness that calls violence against non-Muslims. For example, from the Koran itself which is the Islamic bible, Muslims are encouraged to wholly engage themselves to fight for Allah’s cause (Sura 2: 273). Muslims believe that Allah will give a far richer recompense to those who fight for him (Sura 4: 96).

Regarding infidels as they commonly refer to South Sudanese, they are the Muslims’ inveterate enemies (Sura 4: 101). Muslims are to arrest them, besiege them and lie in ambush everywhere for them (Sura 9: 5). They are to seize them, and put them to death wherever you find them, kill them wherever you find them, seek out the enemies of Islam restlessly (Sura 4: 90). Fight them until Islam reins supreme (Sura 2: 193). Cut off their heads, and cut off the tips of their fingers (Sura 8: 12).    

According to Muslims, if a Muslim does not go to war, Allah will kill this person who refuse to go to war (Sura 9: 39). He is to be told the heat of war is fierce, but more fierce is the heat of hell-fire (Sura 9: 81). A Muslim must fight for the cause of Allah with devotion due to him (Sura 22: 78). Muslims must make war on the infidels who live around them (Sura 9: 123), and that Muslims are to be ruthless to non-Muslims (Sura 48: 29).

A Muslim should enjoy the good things he has gained by fighting (Sura 8: 69). Killing another person is just normal to Muslims, and this can be confirmed through (Sura 6: 152) which states that a Muslim can kill any person he wishes if it is a just cause. Allah loves those who fight for his cause (Sura 61: 3). Anyone who fights against Allah or renounces Islam in favour of another religion shall be put to death or crucified or have their hands and feet cut off alternative sides (Sura 5: 34). Slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait  for them in ambush (Koran 9: 5). Take him and fetter him to hell fire (Koran 69: 30-37). I will in still terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger tips on them (Koran 8: 12). They should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides (Koran 5: 33).

Based on all these evidence, can anybody believe that such a religion can offer anything significant to the society in terms of social, political and economic welfare of the nation?  I sincerely urge my fellow South Sudanese citizens to thrust aside this intimidative religion, and put their national interest above everything including religious interest. As long as we can clearly remember the role of Islamic religion in North-South decades of conflict, the people of South Sudan cannot refute that Islamic religion has been the decisive factor in this conflict, even though there had also been other elements such as democracy, marginalization, equal distribution of resources and other political rights in the country.

In conclusion, it has to be reinstated that Islamic chauvinism should remain a matter of the past in the old united Sudan, and that South Sudanese citizens ‘must’ enjoy the fruits of their decades of struggle without being subjected to post- Islamic chauvinism in the Republic of South Sudan. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with individual to choose their prefer religion, but what matters most in this case is where such religion can be practiced. Alternatively,  given the proximity between the North and South Sudans, it has to be made clearer that those who desire the Islamic religion in the Republic of South Sudan can go to the North where Islamic religion has recently becomes a source and foundation of the country’s legal system according to fugitive Bashir.  

The author of this work is a concerned South Sudanese citizen and can be corresponded at johnaliap2011@hotmail.com