Sheikh Abdurrahmon Ahmad on the Toyin Falola Interview: Some Reflections
Toyin Falola
Cornelius Hamelberg
Ramadan Mubarak!
Indeed, “the courage and candour displayed by Imam Ahmad” in that four and a half hour long interview during this auspicious, holy month of Ramadan. The Quran recommends “and speak kindly to mankind” and the interviewee’s forthrightness, humility and charm was the weapon that disarmed.
Kudos also to the Brother from Senegal who spoke so succinctly about Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba and the Mourides was also so inspirational!
I wouldn’t be surprised if as result of these representations more than a few of the disbelievers that followed the proceedings eventually proceed to converting to Islam, by the good word, not by the sword, the most modern and absolutely the fastest growing religion in the world
Thanks to this session, yesterday, I zapped through pages 195 - 207 “The Empire of Uthman Dan Fodio” in J. Spencer Trimingham’s “A History of Islam in West Africa “ I just re-learned that Hausa word for lion, ! “Zaki” ! It’s good to have a good overview of that history as a necessary background understanding for the history that’s still in the making.
I’m preparing my Zoom microphone for some future guest at the Falola Interview, so that I can also introduce myself live and direct. As Amir al Muminin Imam Ali (alaihi salaam) said, “The flood water flows down from me and the bird cannot fly up to me.” So, I (little me) also want to be represented, by myself and not be dis-appointed by “vermin”