Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools

By Luk Kuth Dak

November 9, 2011 — Justin Maker Bol is one of my favourite people. He did what no other South Sudanese in the United States has ever done. He’s his own boss. Besides, he is an outspoken, smart and conservative man, who cherishes family values. He attends all of his son’s football games cheering him on the side line. My daughter, Mirry Dak, is lucky to have him as her uncle.

If he were born in the US, where talents could have been discovered early on and developed, he could have been like Bill O’Reilly, of the O’Reilly Factor, Rush Limbaugh, or even Larry King, respectively.

Maker remains one of the few voices of wisdom and reasoning with in the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM). A few weeks ago, I rang him up at his residence in Ohio, to inform him that the party he’s been so loyal to his entire life has just made an irreparable harm by importing Islamic teachers from the North, to teach Islam in public schools in South Sudan!

Here’s Justin in his own words:

“The history of Sudan teaches us since the Mahdist, Aboot, Nemiry, through Al- Bashir, now that Islam was/is a source of intolerance, extremism and Jihad. During both civil wars, he continued, the Anyana one and the SPLA, North Sudan had declared Jihad against South Sudan. Islam was used as a weapon to rape, enslave, and kill the non-Muslims in South Sudan. More so, conversion to Islam was more than enough qualification for a South Sudanese to get a high government position in Sudan. The list of brutalities committed in the name if Islam is never-ending.”

He went on to say: “But today’s opinion is not about the past, but the future for South Sudan, the choices that must be made, and certainly, the priorities the government has to undertake in securing that future. Currently, and for the obvious reasons, the Arabs states and governments are flowing in support to South Sudan’s Muslims (SSM.) From the invitation of 100 pilgrims by Saudi King, Abdullah bin Abdulazziz, to the establishment of (Al Madrasa) by pragmatist, to this extreme idea by the ministry of education in the government of South Sudan to bring in hundreds of teachers from North Sudan to teach Islam in our public schools. Really, is South Sudan national interest reliance upon Islamic teaching? The burning question is: Did the ministry of education complete its priorities in setting up primary education? Sounds good for a ministry of education who has equipped its schools with high technology standard.”

“I am not against Islam. Truly, the South Sudan Muslims have the right to enjoy full religious freedom, but the inconsistent standards, lack of vision, accountability, absence of curriculum, extremism, and radical ideology impose real risk that should not be ignored.”

I could not agree more with Maker. Having lived in America for decades, I do not believe that the state has any business in dictating practices of one religion on its people, especially those who have been victims of that religion.

The state and religion should stay independent of each other. In particular, South Sudan has a long road to stability. So, a secular form of government should be employed.

The author is a former anchorman at Juba Radio. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

12 Comments

  • Niko
    Niko

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    Isn’t the owner of this news site a Muslim? how can he allow such filth against his own religion to be propagated?

    Reply
  • Sundayw
    Sundayw

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    Now Sudan Tribune is publishing this rubbish about attempt to Islamize our new republic? What is this news organization trying to do here folks? South Sudan is a non-religious country with secularism as its foundation. We therefore cannot allow any religion to be taught in schools. Muslims can operate their own Madrasas and teach Quran there but not in public school system.

    Reply
  • harry
    harry

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    This is strange, why the author didn’t mention Christian religion too. Aren’t they teaching it in South Sudan school as well? SSTV is always airing Christians prayers every Sunday, I never seen Islamic Friday prayers aired in SSTV.The problem is not religions but humans. We are the ones who have problems and this author is a prime example. Secular means no religions in state’s owned properties.

    H

    Reply
  • upuzi
    upuzi

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    Very funny people in deed. How do you fight to liberate yourself from islamization then after securing your independence you start pushing for your own islamization?? What was the reason for fighting for independence in the name of fighting islamization??

    Reply
  • Grader
    Grader

    Well Done Luk
    99% of South Sudanese follow your school of thoughts

    Because you’re beyond the squabbles and self centredness of our educated.

    Keep writing!

    Reply
  • Mr Neutral
    Mr Neutral

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    what a damn fucking shit!Nonsense and rubbish to hear such provocative Islam in our public schools,am nt against Islam as a religion but the practices done under the umbrella of Islam forces one to develop negative sentiments towards this religion.My question is,is our gov.trying its level best to plz those Muslims around the world or what’s going on really?

    Reply
  • mohammed ali
    mohammed ali

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    Islam does not belong to Sudanese, Arabs or any nation ; it is the religion of god! It will spread by it’s force as it is spreading now in USA, Europe and elsewhere despite all the propoganda against it . The truth will always prevail, sometimes it takes time, but at the end it will prevail.

    It is just astonishing how it is still spreading despite all the propoganda!

    Reply
  • Elijah B. Elkan
    Elijah B. Elkan

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    No Islam classes in south Sudan schools. Saudi Arabia is the most corrupted country in the middle east. Saudi Arabia is no holly land, as you people might think. They supported north Sudan to fight south Sudan, now they are trying something new. Giving money to the poor to continue their dirty work of Islamic. Effective immediately leaders of education must be fired.

    Reply
  • rock
    rock

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    Islam to spread in South Sudan ah ah is daylight dream Ali.
    we can`t allow religion that always believe in violence.
    if it true that Minister of Education has imported hundred Muslim teachers from North Sudan for Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools therefore he deserve nothing then death.
    this is response to Norther Sudan Muslim who don`t respect others` religion.
    Rock !!

    Reply
  • Isme
    Isme

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    Teaching ismlam in the Republic of S.sudan is like an Atomic laboratory not bomb. U only learn boxing to beat people as well as isshalom to kill, shit, decieve. Peace is beyond their sense even if U become one of them they still call U second in their rank.

    Reply
  • $ 10,000,000
    $ 10,000,000

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    Shame be on that guy calling himself ahmed chol and still thinks he is a South Sudanese. What are proud of man? Just get rid of that name and start calling yourself Chol or Mading. what is ahmed in Dinka? please don’t confuse patriotism and disillusionment.

    Reply
  • $ 10,000,000
    $ 10,000,000

    Teaching Islam in South Sudan schools
    Sundayw,
    Just advise that muslim guy by name ahmed Chol to change his name into names like Garang, Mading, Gatluak or Lam or Ador or Alier. We are not proud of that name of his as ahmed Chol. Tell him to go to North

    Reply
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