Centreville — To the Editor:
Around one month ago, 276 girls were abducted from their school by the extremist group Boko Haram in Nigeria. Despite the amount of time that has passed, little progress has been made to ensure their safe return. The group's leader, Abubakar Shekau says that their kidnapping is in the name of Islam and God and that he will sell the girls as slaves and prostitutes.
The truth is that there is nothing right or Islamic about the actions of Boko Haram.
As a Muslim female student who has just graduated from college, I can say that Boko Haram and all that it stands for is against Islam. In fact, Islam encourages both women and men to obtain education. The Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him), has stated it is the duty of every Muslim man and woman to acquire knowledge. Moreover, slavery and abuse of women is strongly prohibited in Islam. In the Quran, God says "O ye who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will; " (4:20). I have always felt that education is an obligation as a good Muslim, because that is what my faith taught me. Although Boko Haram does not represent the true Islam, my 276 Nigerian sisters are the real examples of Islam. At the same time, they are the most honorable, for studying and learning despite the risk involved.
Saira Bhatti
Centreville