Cry Not For The Martyr – Tribute To Professor Aliyu Usman Mani

Late Professor Aliyu Usman Mani |

Professor Aliyu Usman Mani was among the 5 people killed while observing early dawn Fajr prayer at 6:30 a.m when a suicide bomber entered mosque at the University of Maiduguri in Borno State.

Before his death, Professor Mani served the university as the Director of Veterinary Services.

Below is an extract from Facebook of a tribute to the late professor by Mohammed Abbas Usman ...

“Allaahu Akbar” (Allah is great) 365 days ago a highly brainwashed or hypnotized juvenile with a bomb strapped to his body was sent into the peaceful walls of University of Maiduguri by agents of doom.

“Allaahu Akbar” the call for early morning (Subh) prayer was blaring from various mosques and heard all through the University community.

“Allaahu Akbar” marked the commencement of prayer at the University’s staff quarters mosque.

“Allaahu Akbar” the Professor, in haste and fasting on that Monday morning, rushed in to worship his creator and joined the congregation oblivious that the boy next to him was a “she-cow” agent.

“Allaahu Akbar” and “boom!!!” the bomb exploded half-way into the prayer.

“Allaahu Akbar” the explosion transformed a wife into a widow and son and daughter into orphans. The University lost a Professor. His friends lost a peacemaker, a very reliable and dependable friend while my brothers, sisters, yours sincerely and other close and distant relations lost a big-brother, a father-figure, an uncle, a guardian, a confidant and a big shoulder we used to lean on.

“Allaahu Akbar” while the good world mourned the sudden departure of a good soul, the “wicked” claimed responsibility and celebrated what they thought was an achievement.

“Allaahu Akbar” they thought they had won but we know they are the biggest losers. In death, the whole world prayed for the Professor and alive, the same world cursed his killers. Whenever they kill, the world suffers in anguish and when the terrorists are killed, the world heaves a sigh of relief. With Professor the world changed for the better and without him, it will never be the same again. With the terrorists the world darkens and without them, major dents are removed. The lives the Professor touched can never forget him and the lives the terrorists took can never forgive them. The difference between who is wrong and who is right is never determined by who is dead and who is alive.

“Allaahu Akbar” it is in the scriptures that if your death brings tears, sorrow and great pain to people and they say or remember you with very good things you did while alive, you are a strong candidate for heaven.

“Allaahu Akbar” in the same vein, if your death elicits joy, sighs of relief and happiness among the people and they say or remember you for only bad things you perpetrated while alive, to hell you bad soul.

“Allaahu Akbar” they took Professor away but in a way, they brought us even closer.

“Allaahu Akbar” therefore, to those that lost something with the Professor, be consoled by the strong conviction that he is in a better place. Continue to pray for the repose of his soul and CRY NOT FOR THE MARTYR.