International Day Against Blasphemy: Remembering Ammaye and Other Victims of Blasphemy-related Killings in Nigeria -By Leo Igwe

On this International Day Against Blasphemy, the Humanist Enabling Love Project (HELP) remembers Ammaye, a female food seller in Niger state. In August, a muslim mob lynched her for blaspheming against the prophet of Islam. Local reports said the woman exchanged words with a customer who expressed interest in marrying her to “fulfil the Sunnah”. Ammaye replied with comments that this customer said were blasphemous and subsequently raised an alarm. A mob of muslim faithful gathered, threatening to kill her. The matter was reported to the district head, who handed the woman over to the local security personnel. But the muslim mob overpowered the security officers, abducted the woman, stoned her to death, and set the corpse ablaze.

Following this incident, one report noted that “normalcy had been restored in the town”. But it is pertinent to ask: how can normalcy return to this town without justice? How can normalcy return to a place where an innocuous remark turned into a death sentence with no consequence for the perpetrators of this savage violence? How can normalcy return where people cannot freely express themselves?

As in other cases of blasphemy-related killings in northern Nigeria, no one has been arrested. Nobody has been charged in a court. No one might ever be punished because Islam is the de facto state religion, and those who murder supposed blasphemers against Islam or its prophet are treated as heroes, as defenders of faith, not criminals.

So, on this International Day Against Blasphemy, the Humanist Enabling Love Project (HELP) calls for the abolition of blasphemy laws and prosecution of ‘blasphemer killers’ in Nigeria. Blasphemy laws are incompatible with human rights, including rights to freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of speech and expression. State authorities should take all necessary measures to bring to justice all perpetrators of blasphemy killings in the country. HELP calls for an end to impunity in matters related to blasphemy killings and abuse. There should be serious consequences for attacking or killing any blasphemer. Nigerians should realize that as holders and professors of different religions or beliefs all individuals are blasphemers.

As in the case of Deborah Samuel, a Christian female student stoned to death and lynched by muslim colleagues in Sokoto, the case of Ammaye is slowly fizzling out. The matter is dying a natural death. This development is not good for Nigeria; it does not reflect well on Islam or any religion. Extra-judicial killing of alleged blasphemers by muslims reinforces the notion that Islam is a violent religion and muslims are violent and intolerant of other faiths and beliefs.

HELP calls for defending and promoting freedom of expression, especially the open criticism of religion. People should be able to say what they think about religion and challenge religious authority without fear of punishment.

Leo Igwe directs HELP