Shark Pravartak
Class XII D
Study Hall School
The world today lays its emphasis on helping empower women, getting rid of terrorism and erasing the lines of religion that divide us all. To make a world safe for everyone we know, but what does one do when all these things come together a Terrorist Organization abducting women in the name of religion! Yes, the cruel reality! This is what Nigeria is facing, Over 200 girls abducted by “Boko Haram”(an internationally recognized Islamic Fundamentalist Terrorist organization). Forcing these girls into converting to Islam. The very thought of such a thing spreads a feeling of terrible fear in our minds and hearts, and to actually live in an area facing such a problem is nothing less than standing at the Gates of Hell! Boko Haram came to existence in the early 2002 under the leadership of Mohammad Yusuf in the northern reaches of Nigeria. The group traces its influence from the controversial Islamic Preacher, Mohammad Marwa or as he is popularly known “Maitatsine” who made speeches laden with curses against the Nigerian State. Boko Haram wishes to establish a “pure Islamic rule” state run by the “Sharia Laws” to put an end to the supposed westernization of Nigeria. The fear of Boko Haram rises and the safety of women becomes more and more a matter of grave concern, the Nigerian government has been able to gain no leads, it only brings forward a picture of Nigeria where the government is incompetent and soon the country like so many other African nations will be in a state of another Civil War. International intervention is required now or the consequences will be fatal for all.
After Declaring Independence from United Kingdom in 1960, the people of Nigerian like the people of any other decolonized nation had dreams of a brighter and safer future but it seems an impending doom of continuous conflicts looms over the destiny of Nigeria. It first faced civil war from 1967 to 1970 then the country was taken over by the military and finally in 1999 the country got democratized but only 15 years down the road and we see the country on the brink of another Civil War and this time the issue is not just power but Religion and safety of women.
If the international community does not interfere now, then we look at a very bleak future for Nigeria where women wouldn’t feel even a tiny bit safe for they’ll live in fear of being forced to forsake their freedoms, freedoms that are as natural as breathing to people in countries like U.S.A, India, U.K., a world unsafe for women is a world, walking towards a slow death. A Death That Can Only Be Explained By One Word “EVIL”.