In a series of tweets that have sparked significant discussion online, a former Yoruba Muslim, known on X (formerly Twitter) as @alpontif, has made a bold declaration about the state of religious freedom in Northern Nigeria. The individual, who thoroughly studied Islamic texts and practices before leaving the faith, argues that many Northern Nigerians are trapped within Islam, not out of belief, but out of fear for their very lives. This perspective offers a controversial yet deeply personal insight into the religious dynamics within one of Africa’s most populous countries.
@alpontif’s journey began as a devout Muslim, delving into the Quran, various hadiths, and other religious texts like Bulugh al-Maram and Riyadus Salihin. They outlined the three main branches within Islam – Sunni, Sufi, and Shia – but focused their critique on Sunni Islam, which they described as fundamentalist in nature and particularly harsh on women’s rights and non-Muslims. According to the thread, under Sunni doctrine, women are fundamentally disadvantaged, and converts or non-Muslims face severe repercussions, including death for apostasy or heavy taxation (jizyah) for Christians living in Muslim-majority areas.