Intriguing questions to answer before we ban Almajiri in Northern Nigeria

Before banning Almajiri system, answer these questions!

It is certainly clear that the COVID-19 have provided a golden opportunity to ban the Almajiri system by some Northern Governors in Nigeria, as the recurrent debate keeps going on again, in this article I provided a case presented by Late Tijjani El–Miskin over 20 years ago during a paper presentation at a conference organized at Arewa House on begging and destitution. In his presentation, El–Miskin well and strongly argued that the Almajiri bowl is a symbol of conscience.

 

I brought forward some of these arguments, raising questions which we must first sincerely answer before moving on to proscribe the Almajiri system banned, if at all it should be, when it could be well reformed.

 

By now the origin of Almajiri which was once a dignified – now humiliated system is well known, but we look at some of the factors responsible for the deterioration of such a noble system.

 

Almajiri or Tsangaya system collapsed after the 1914 amalgamation, the education system lost its political support and in-turn financial power with this British singular act of displacing Islamic tradition system of governance with a new arrangement in Northern (Nigeria) – This gave birth to bowl moving pupils.

 

Apart from the absence of budgetary support allocation to Tsangaya from the early 1900s, the system have faced attacks from colonial and post-colonial establishments, non-Muslim opponents, secular Muslim elites, and other Islamic organizations, this due to rivalry, ignorance, and abhor of embarrassing begging.

 

Arguments

 

A.     Falling standard

Dr. El-Miskin (Later Prof.) in his 1997 conference paper confessed that the standard of Tsangaya education have fallen quiet below expectations, but the lone fact that these schools have survived all these years with zero budget support from Government deserves some accolade.

 

Even the ‘Boko’ schools which has enjoyed billions annually from Federal, State and/or Local Government, and International organizations & other bodies, primary and secondary education have fallen to a disastrous and similar embarrassing level. As a result, private and foreign schools have become the alternative source of good education. The budget-less survival of Tsangaya and production of fine graduates of international reputation despite orchestrated campaign against the system should be studied by our public schools.

 

B.     Breeding grounds for criminals and beggars

Another allegation levelled against Almajiri is the breeding of criminals, El-Miskin cited the Maitatsine as a case and believed that there exists some bad eggs among the Almajiris, but the Tsangaya system have no monopoly of such bad eggs. These sets of unintended non-exemplary graduates are common with western-oriented school’ students, drop-outs and graduates.

These outcasts produced by Boko schools are responsible for the massive corruption, misappropriation of public funds and loss of lives in Nigeria over the years. The criminal activities perpetrated by western oriented and trained elites is in much greater proportion than the horrible activities of Tsangaya students. Should we ban the Boko system too because it has bred looters, corrupt politicians, and yahoo boys who have little to do with Almajiranci?

 

C.     Street roaming and bowl carrying-pupils

Almajiri are notoriously known for constantly carrying subsistence bowls in order to survive. These poor kids have been charged and found guilty of being a disgrace to the society. El–Miskin offers a different dimension, providing a balanced view of the matter. The society which should provide meal to these students have abandoned them, leaving them no option than beg to survive.

 

Attacking the kids’ street begging is merely discussing the symptom without addressing the real disease of lack of basic sustenance. Provision of welfare such system such as the Zakat and Waqf will readily address this menace which is clearly a product of Anti-welfarist injustice, which expelling the kids out of the street will not ultimately do.

 

If begging means soliciting of resources directly or indirectly, then the elites today engage in disguised forms of begging under different names. While the Almajiri is forced to beg for basic sustenance, these elites; politicians, musicians, entertainers, and other white-collar beggars resort to begging to accumulate surplus resources in the name of contracts (inflated), selling products at a much higher price ‘lunching’, and fund raising. Government are not left out, disguised as technical assistance, appeal funds, disaster relief, subsidies, cut, cooperation, and other forms institutional begging under bilateral agreements.

 

Solutions

 

Finally, it is fair to say the Tsangaya system of learning which have succeeded well in some countries could be reformed for good. El–Miskin’s about 30 – page paper preferred some solutions to turn the roaming Almajiris to productive individuals who contribute to economic development and dissemination of culture and as well serve as agents of education.

 

a.       Tsangaya system should be recognized as a form of formal education and as so be specially funded. Government should also make provisions for facilities and study materials.

b.      Spreading of reading and writing in Arabic and Ajabi in order to eradicate illiteracy.

c.       Relevant authorities should identify destitute pupils and come to their aid.

d.      Zakat and Waqf system should be introduced.

e.       Address the female education system problem.

f.       Recognition of Tsangaya Qur’an products – A hafiz should be accorded the status of a Bachelor Degree holder – this will provide employment and spread Islamic education.

 

Article re-presented by Muhammad Malumfashi in July 2020. Tijjani A. El-Miskin, a prominent scholar and professor of Islamic Studies died in 2015 in Saudi Arabia. May Allah accept him in Aljannah.