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STATE THE CRIME

27/01/2017 00:28:00 By Martin Dlamini

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One can’t help to note how, in just less than six months, we have successfully managed to tell thousands of people of foreign origin and of the different faiths, that they are unwanted in this country. First it was the Asian probe and now a ban on other religions.

Before we even get into the constitutional debate about the correctness or otherwise of this decision on religion, the weak justification by the Ministry of Education on the ban of other religions in the school curriculum opens the floodgates to dangerous speculation that may have far reaching consequences politically and economically.

For instance, could the recent probe into the illegal entry of migrants into the country come up with startling findings of a religious revolution planned for the not so distant future have had an influence in the decision given the brutal manner in which it has been implemented?

Has somebody important complained about all the rising number of Mosques in the country where police detectives now keep watch at the entrance in fear of the unknown? Are church goers deserting mainstream churches and some powerful pastors of traditional churches like the Nazarene feeling threatened?

Or could it be the free meat that our Muslim brothers and sisters are now dishing out to our impoverished fellow citizens? Not only that, but we are seeing them invest in better schools. This, of course, exposes the lack of delivery by the government of the day. It compounds the growing loss of confidence in the Christians leading this country, who don’t seem to be of equal assistance.

Maybe it could have been that of the foreigners swallowing our economy with the business takeover of the SME sector, infiltrating well into the rural communities. Has jealousy gotten the better of us?

Worse still, you could find it had a lot to do with some missing goats and donkeys belonging to a prominent individual with blame apportioned to a people of a certain religion who just love these mammals.

We don’t know. Sadly though, the more ‘harmless’ religions have felt the brunt of the new ‘Trump Executive order on religion for Swaziland’.
The confusing explanation given by the Ministry of Education to justify the act is that it has been done to protect the young ones from being confused about religion.

There is great joy among the Christian community following the government decision to ban the teaching of all other religions in our primary and high school syllabus, no doubt, but at what cost?

As a Christian I find nothing wrong with Christianity, but I would never impose it on anyone or try to hide other religions from my children, particularly these young curious minds who will most likely now want to know more about what ‘Trump’ doesn’t want them to know. Then there is the question of the country’s Vision 2022 and Chapter 4 of the National Constitution that guarantees several liberties including freedom of religion.

The ban on religion comes across as tearing another page or chapter out of a constitution that is already struggling to exert itself as the supreme law of the land. This also flies in the face of the vision which aspires to create a tolerant and diverse society of the future.

Economically, we have successfully painted a very negative picture of our intolerance to the religious beliefs of other nations where investment could have come from. We may give investors tax incentives but if they can’t put their children in local schools where they could be taught about their own faith, then why bother coming?

If we are to become a First World country, we have to think first world.
Why the rush? At the face of it, the urgency of it all does not seem to be founded on the premise of reconciling with God and protecting pupils. We come a long way with overnight decisions to know that this is more a business deal than what it is being made out to be.

The good thing is, the truth will come out. It always does. Be not surprised to find a devil in Angels’ robes.