This is one of the most hopeful and positive stories to emerge in recent years in my opinion and I felt compelled to draw attention to it for anyone who has not seen it yet.
The State Department has bestowed its International Religious Freedom Award on an
83-year old Muslim cleric from Nigeria named Abubakar Abdullahi.
Imam
Abdullahi’s story is remarkable. He saved 262 Christians from almost certain
slaughter at the hands of Jihadists in northern Nigeria in 2018.
Here is
the State Department’s statement about this brave humanitarian’s actions:
On June
23, 2018, ethnic Fulani herdsmen, who are predominantly Muslim, launched
coordinated attacks on 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, killing hundreds of ethnic
Berom farmers, who are predominantly Christian.
As Imam Abdullahi was finishing midday prayers, he and his congregation
heard gunshots and went outside to see members of the town’s Christian community
fleeing. Instinctively, the Imam ushered
262 Christians into the mosque and his home next to the mosque. The Imam then went outside to confront the
gunmen and he refused to allow them to enter, pleading with them to spare the
Christians inside, even offering to sacrifice his life for theirs. Although the gunmen killed 84 people in Nghar
village that day, Imam Abdullahi’s actions saved the lives of hundreds
more. Born in Bauchi State around 1936,
the Imam has lived in Nghar for 60 years and led the Muslim community through
the mosque, which was built on land provided by the Christian community. Imam Abdullahi’s courage in the face of
imminent danger and his history of outreach across religious divides
demonstrates his lifelong commitment to promoting interfaith understanding and
peace.
***Christopher
Holton is Vice President for Outreach at the Center for Security Policy. Mr.
Holton came to the Center after serving as president and marketing director of
Blanchard & Co. and editor-in-chief of the Blanchard Economic Research Unit
from 1990 to 2003. As chief of the Blanchard Economic Research Unit in 2000, he
conceived and commissioned the Center for Security Policy special report
“Clinton’s Legacy: The Dangerous Decade.” Holton is a member of the Board of
Advisers of WorldTribune.com. Follow Holton on Twitter @CHoltonCSP