AFRICA: Risking one’s life
There have been repeated clashes for years between ethnic Muslims and Christian in a West African country. Though the real causes are economic and political in nature, the other ethnic group or religion is wrongly considered as the enemy as it unfortunately happens in such cases. Recently extremists burned down some churches killing various people in the Muslim-majority north of the country. The sight of the bodies brought into a southern Christian-majority city stirred up a real manhunt causing the death of hundreds. The only refuge for the Muslims was to reach the police barracks where they were received and protected. In those days while returning from school, Emeka, a teen for unity, did not find Malam, a 22 year old hawker who was always there in front of his house. Worried he asked his mother, “Do you know where he is?” She replied, “I hidden him in our house.” They who were Christians were protecting a Muslim. The risk was very high. It would have been better to accompany him to the barracks, which was not far from the house. But it was late and the curfew was in force. Also Malam with his typically Muslim shirt would have immediately been spotted at the blockades that were in the rebels hands. Emeka kept thinking, “There’s Jesus in Malam.” He courageously decided to give him his clothes, and having no spares he put on those of his friend. If someone stopped them only Emeka would have spoken in the local Igbo language, while Malam would have remained silent so as not to betray himself with his accent. Emeka is suspected at the very first blockade. He is stopped and asked to sing in Igbo with a machete at his throat. Emeka has no difficulties in doing so as it’s his language. And so they let them pass. The same thing happens at the second blockade. However at the third one the rebels realise that something’s amiss. Emeka and Malam exchange glances and start running. The barracks were across the road that was unusually not busy in that moment. Their pursuers were unable to catch them and finally they were safe in the barracks.
And now that the situation has improved, Malam has returned to his cart in front of Emeka’s house, who had safeguarded his money in the meanwhile. There’s a relationship of true brotherhood between them and whenever Emeka’s family are away, they leave the house keys with Malam.