Yakubu Busari
The Founder for the Movement for Rights of Almajiris, Alh Salis Mohammed has said the right of Almajiri is in shambles where most of the Muslims cleric uses them for all manner of things in the name of Islamic education. He called on parents, federal, state to introduce laws for the National rights of Almajiri in Plateau State and Nigeria.
He said the danger of giving out children to Muslims scholars who later end up as a use for ritual sacrifice, streets beggars, agents of terrorism is due to the rise and fall of poor parenting and the political hazard of promoting selfish agenda in the society.
He said if this law comes into existence it will ensure that any person who is giving out his child must fulfill required laws otherwise it will amount to child abuse or child trafficking as the case may be.
Mohammed disclosed this while embarking on sensitization awareness of Almajiri children in Jos, as he explained the reasons why there is a rising number of crimes in the society today.
He emphasized that the second phase of the advocacy on the rights of Almajiris tagged “Actors “is to enlighten parents on the danger of giving out children to unknown persons.
He said the first phase of the campaign was just to complete the year 2019 is the non – stage Actors who are the custodians of the Almajiri system and the Muslims stakeholders.
“The phase two is how to reform the practice of Almajiri which requires national laws “.
He added, some Northern states in Nigeria like Kastina, Kano and have enacted the law guiding the conditions for giving out a child which are very clear.
“You cannot give out your child who is below the age of Eleven years, to anybody, you must do it having followed the proper documentation and registry in line with laid down laws of the Rights of Almajiri, you must be operating functional boarding facilities and the parents of the child must contribute for the upkeep of the child “.
” Kano state had even gone a step further to recruit more teachers in their schools and building of over five hundred schools with the Almajiri kind of education. ”
He stressed that some of those who want to flout these state laws of the rights of these children do find time to relocate to another state where they feel the law is not binding on them.
“This is why we are advocating for National laws that will be binding on every violator of the rights of Almajiri child, so that where you are in Nigeria, you are under the law.”
The Convener and the initiator for the Right of the Almajiri Child, appeal to the lawmakers to consider the bill when it eventually comes before the floor of the House for speedy passage.
As he said the phase two of the advocacy has been moved from the Muslims stakeholders National Human Rights Commission, NDLA, NAF, NBC, SUBEB, Judicial Commission and Sharia court of appeal.
