By Aboo Aamir
I vividly recall an incident around 2011 when a Christian group from Ghana brought a crusade to Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. The term "crusade" itself evokes the historical wars waged by Christians against Muslims over Jerusalem, yet it continues to be used in modern contexts.
For those familiar with Ede, it is a predominantly Muslim town, much like Iwo and Ilorin. It is no surprise that Christian organizations have always focused their evangelical activities on such cities due to the overwhelming Muslim presence. This group, supported by CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) affiliates, aggressively promoted their event, plastering banners and posters all over the ancient Muslim town and its suburbs, including Awo, Sekona, Odo Osun, and Abere. Even neighboring Oshogbo felt the impact.
Their long buses roamed the streets blaring loud music and messages, accompanied by crowds dancing to draw attention. The campaign lasted two weeks before the actual one-week crusade commenced. The venue was the Seventh-Day Adventist Secondary School pitch, which they transformed into a mini-circus with props, costumes, and gadgets.
My residence, located uphill from the venue, endured the constant noise of drums and music. Despite their colossal nuisance, everyone tolerated them. Their banners carried slogans like "Jesus is the Only Saviour" and "No Jesus, No Paradise," which raised Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) beyond his status as a servant of Allaah.
However, about four days before the crusade began, some Muslims, who had silently grumbled about the onslaught, decided to respond intellectually and peacefully. The turning point was the Friday khutbah at Masjid Tawheed, Òkè Iresi, where the khateeb urged capable Muslims to convey messages affirming the Oneness of Allaah.
I was among those tasked with leading this peaceful "counter-offensive." It was a unique experience I would gladly repeat. Abu Khadeejah Al-Atharee was our graphics director, Abu Haleemah managed fundraising, and other brothers scouted strategic locations for our banners.
We began with handbills, leaflets, and pamphlets, including beautiful short write-ups translated into Yoruba. By the second day, we had banners ready with messages such as:
"No Islam, No Paradise."
"There is None Worthy of Worship Except Allaah; Muhammad is His Messenger."
"Don't Die Except As A Muslim."
"Allaah is the Lord of Jesus Christ."
"Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Were All Muslims."
Our activities were met with resistance when some of our boys were arrested while distributing handbills. However, our legal team quickly secured their release, and we assured the police that our effort was purely intellectual and peaceful.
As we mounted our banners across Ede, from Akoda to Cottage Area and Oke Gada, support from the Muslim community grew overwhelmingly. The Christian group became visibly unsettled as our banners outshone theirs, and the town’s Muslims rallied behind us.
By the time the crusade began, it had lost much of its momentum. The Muslim populace had been sensitized, and any 'Muslim' who might have attended the event did so clandestinely, ashamed of being associated with it.
By Allaah’s mercy, the Christian group’s plans were effectively neutralized that year, and they have never attempted a similar crusade in Ede since.
One remarkable outcome of this effort was the unity and unwavering support of the Muslims in the city. May Allaah reward everyone who contributed to that peaceful yet impactful effort.
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