This is some funny news but, hey, its true: If you are a muslim, and living in Tajikstan, you can divorce your wife via a text message with the very simple words: Talaq talaq talaq.
How cool!
A growing number of Muslim men in Tajikistan are using a simple, three-worded text message to divorce their wives, the Associated Press reports.
Decades of shared families, responsibilities and commitments can be
ended with a message reciting the words, “Talaq talaq talaq.”
The “triple talaq” is an Islamic ritual whereby a man can recite the
Arabic phrase, “I will divorce you,” three times and thereby end a
marriage. In countries where it is permitted, the man does not need to
go to court to file for divorce.
A 33-year-old mother of two told the AP that she received such a
message from her husband of 14 years while sweeping her yard in October.
The woman, Marina Dodobayeva, immediately called her husband, who had
been working in Russia.
“He told me not to call him any more,” she said, “because now he has a new family.”source: click here
Coming back home, I would like to ask Nigerians how divorce happens in Islam in Nigeria. Have we started doing the I divorce you via text messages?
Please if you have info on how its done, leave it as a comment.
One problem I have with Islam in Nigeria is an issue relating to blind men. For example, in Lagos state, it is a common sight to see a blind man being lead about with small, young children (girls). Pls note, these girls are not teenagers yet. From morning till night, these blind mallams and their girls go everywhere together: from the side of the road and then “home” – wherever it is.
I have done some research and made some observations:
- the girls are usually under 10,
- they speak only Hausa,
- these girls don’t go to school,
- the whereabouts of the parents of these girls are very much unknown.
- In fact, these girls were not born in Lagos-state. Infos I gathered says that these girls are imported from the Northern part of Nigerians.
- these girls are being pimped out to these mallams; the mallams themselves managed by some higher-ups (Muslim leaders) who brought them all from the Northern part of Nigeria, and make money off them from whatever they receive as street-beggars.
Now, I’m wondering why the Islamic society in Nigeria, in Lagos state to be specific, hasn’t condemned / taken any steps to stop such activity / practice.
The info that got me really pissed is when I heard that these girls end up marrying these blind mallams; and that the idea of the girls leading the men around is part of the “whole thingy”. The only thing this reminds me about is Nigeria’s formost Islamic pedophile, a case which has been unfortunately swept under the carpet.
If the info I have is correct, if these children are going to end up “marrying” blind mallams, is this right or wrong in Islam, or do I have my infos all wrong.
Your comments and opinions are welcome!
Muslimah
April 30, 2011
I don’t know what your definition of Mallam is, but it is certainly different from the world-accepted definition. In the Hausaland, Mallam simply refers to an Islamic Scholar.
Your facts are also not well researched because begging is forbidden in Islam; so I don’t think an Islamic Scholar would openly go for something that is forbidden.
Your report is heavily misleading. Next time you decide to write, please ensure that you are not being intentionally biased.
tosinakanle
May 2, 2011
Most people in Nigeria use the term “mallam” to refer to a person from the northern part of the country without regard for the true meaning of the word. just as they use the word “aboki” which actually means “friend” but has now acquired a derogatory meaning when used at an hausa okada rider to mean someone who rides without much sense or recklessly.
Also, the person responding to the question did not answer the question, which is a fact to the extent that i see these young girls leading blind men about begging, but with no proof or knowledge of the rest of the claims.
Instead of being abusive and insulting the writer and just dismissing the claims, why dont you bring proof to disprove the allegations. This is Nigeria, a free country where we are all entitled to hold our own beliefs.
I would be interested in knowing what you know on the matter, as though this is the first that i have heard of what the writer is claiming, it would be wrong if it were true.
MyPenMyPaper
May 4, 2011
@Muslimah,
I do not mean to misinform you / anyone else.
I use the word “Mallam” as generically(lay-man’s terms) as it used “around town” to refer not to an Islamic scholar, but to the northerners on the streets of Lagos and to every other northerner who we can’t identify by a name. Not that they don’t have names (I believe they have a name), but its just common to see a northerner and call him a Mallam.
Do you live in Nigeria? have you been around Nigeria before? Have you / do you presently live in Lagos. I don’t think so.
See, here in Lagos, who is a mallam? A northerner:
= pushing a water cart full of 25-kg water kegs for sale;
= a northerner selling suya by the roadside, especially at night;
= another northerner pushing around a trolley full of yams;
= another one pushing a cart full of waste;
= the one that is buying mettalic parts / bottles;
= the one who carries his sowing machine on his shoulder and mending clothes;
= the northerner money- changers standing in front of banks calling out all sorts of foreign correncies;
= the ones at the market selling raw-meat;
= the northerners riding okada;
= the one near my house with a small wooden grocery store full of sweets,
etcetera, etcetera : the average northerner answers the name Mallam, and they don’t consider it derogatory or as an offense.
I also beg your pardon: even in the north (I have been to all of Nigeria’s northern states); and considering all the examples above, an average northerner living in the north will answer “Mallam” and won’t pick issues as to whether he is / not an Islamic scholar.
More, even our friends from Nije republic who are hustling in one business or the other answer the Mallam call. You might want to read this article:
Nigerians are the happiest people in the world and Mallams are the happiest Nigerians to tell you that I am not biased against mallams. They are the happiest people in Nigeria.
So between me and you, do you really think my post is biased? or perhaps your comment comes with a religious bias attached to it.
@tosinakanle,
thanks for the explanation. You might want to make an observation in your own area of Lagos state(if you live here), or ask a couple of questions around. Pls feed me on your findings.