EXCERPT FROM 'On the Political Podium'

SCENE NINE:

(Big Ben enters with vigour)

BIG BEN:

(He starts pacing the stage) Tomorrow, we go to the polls. It is a must win for RTP. No other party would rule this country except RTP. If they win, we will not make them rule (Hassana enters from an opposite direction).

HASSANA:

(Surprised to see him) It seems that we are always crossing each other’s path.

BIG BEN:

(He points to her) You! I have seen your face somewhere before.

HASSANA:

(Smiling) It is quite interesting that you don’t remember exactly where you had an encounter with me.

BIG BEN:

(Nodding his head) I remember (He laughs loudly). The woman who dared to stand up against me. 

HASSANA:

I particularly love the fact that you remember that I stood up against you.

BIG BEN:

You wouldn’t be doing the same from tomorrow onwards. That is a promise.

HASSANA:

And why is that if I may ask?

BIG BEN:

Because we are going to win the elections come what may and people like you will be taught hard lessons. Very hard lessons.

HASSANA:

(She laughs loudly) Aren’t you interesting? And by ‘we’ who and who do you mean?

BIG BEN:

(Provoked) And you even have the audacity to laugh at me? You will regret this much sooner than you think. I am warning you!

HASSANA:

Stay calm. May I know how come you are so sure of winning?

BIG BEN:

Because we are going to win and as to how we are going to do that it is none of your business.

HASSANA:

Through all the dubious means you can lay your hands on, I guess. What else could it possibly be?

BIG BEN:

If you know, why do you ask Madam Holier-Than-Thou?

HASSANA:

I keep wondering. Do you know what the four other political parties are doing in order to win this election?

BIG BEN:

I have information on all of their plans. We will surely outwit them.

HASSANA:

And why would you allow them to take you all for a free ride like that?

BIG BEN:

If I may ask, which party do you belong to?

HASSANA:

I can’t see myself belonging to deceit in the name of political parties provided they would put you through all these just to win an election.

BIG BEN:

(Surprised) So, to you all political parties are corrupt?

HASSANA:

No! Don’t get me wrong. To me, all political parties should have principles that will make them do their campaigns genuinely and use genuine means to get into power other than what I am seeing.

BIG BEN:

Ok, Madam Principles. You have to know however that at the end of the day, we have to choose one of these political parties to see to the affairs of this country so why are you bothering yourself? Or do you intend to form your own political party?

HASSANA:

(Calmly) No, I don’t.

BIG BEN:

(Laughing) So then you see my dear lady, we have no choice. We have to take advantage of the opportunities that come our way to make life better for ourselves. Opportunity comes once, remember?

HASSANA:

(She turns to the audience and speak sadly) As the brave cry, the cowards laugh. Do they have any idea what it means to set ablaze their own shelter? (She turns to Big Ben) No, we do have a choice. We definitely have a choice.

BIG BEN:

Talk to me about the choices we have then and do so quickly because I have no time to waste.

HASSANA:

(Reciting)

We are the youth

We have the strength

Why do we watch them lie to us?

Must they become powerful?

Just for them to forget us later?

Must we always be the tool?

For our own destruction?

BIG BEN:

(Angry) Stop woman! What are you insinuating?

HASSANA:

(She continues)

In our ghettos they come

From their plush houses

Riding in posh cars

Telling us to play all the dirty games

Promising us lies

We the youth

We those with the strength

Must we succumb to deceit? (She stops)

BIG BEN:

(Calmly) Hmmm! I… I… Forget it.

HASSANA:

Did you understand me, Big Ben?

BIG BEN:

(Surprised) You know my name?

HASSANA:

Who doesn’t know your name? Did you understand me? (He does not respond). Besides, you are not getting my point at all. I know very well that somebody has to take over the affairs of this country but then you and I should know that we should help them to do so in the best manner. The political parties are a team. Some have bad intentions and others have good intentions. We cannot know who is good and who is bad except by looking at what each one of them does. If someone will let you do these nasty things just so he could become powerful, wouldn’t you advise yourself about that person? (Big Ben stares at her quietly) Now, that is what I am talking about. Do you understand? (Baaba Adada enters).

BAABA ADADA:

(Smiling) By his facial expression, I am more than sure that he has understood your every word.

BIG BEN:

(Surprised) You this old man! (He begins to laugh) So it is you who is called the wise one and you are teaching her (He points to Hassana) all that. (Sarcastically) Don’t you think that your old age is probably disturbing your thinking abilities? (He laughs loudly).

HASSANA:

(Angrily) Big Ben! Show some respect. (She turns to Baaba Adada) You are welcome respected one.

BAABA ADADA:

(He smiles) Thank you my dear Hassana. I hope you are doing well.

HASSANA:

Yes, I am by God’s grace.

BAABA ADADA:

(He turns to Big Ben) You see, there is a lot of wisdom in why the child is forewarned about laughing at the ugliness of her mother. If she were to keep a photo of herself, in a couple of years, she will find out the answer to why she was pre-warned. But Big Ben, you didn’t respond to Hassana’s question.

BIG BEN:

Sorry but I have to go. (To the audience) When all men say you are a dog, then know that it is time for you to start barking (He begins to walk away).

HASSANA:

So, you are not shy to run away.

BIG BEN:

(Angrily) Don’t you dare annoy me!

BAABA ADADA:

(He moves closer to Big Ben) Pardon her Big Ben. 

BIG BEN:

Why does she speak as if she knows everything?

BAABA ADADA:

Please pardon her.

HASSANA:

I am sorry if I offended you.

BIG BEN:

(Devastated) You two have had life easy so you can talk about peace or whatever. What has the country done for me in order for me to give it anything better? If you breed up a serpent, he strikes when you are in deep slumber. The country is only reaping what it has sowed in me.

BAABA ADADA:

Big Ben, I believe the country does a lot for you to deserve something good from you. You probably haven’t thought about it.

BIG BEN:

I have lived in hardship all my life. My parents never bothered to take care of me. I have lived in ghettos. I have eaten from the rubbish dump. I have worn tattered clothes. What contribution has the country made in my life?

BAABA ADADA:

I’m sorry for the hardship you had to go through.

BIG BEN:

And you think feeling sorry for me is enough to make up for all the bad times I have had?

HASSANA:

Do you have to blame the country and its inhabitants for the troubles that you had to endure?

BIG BEN:

I never said I blamed the country. I said I haven’t had any reason not to campaign for the one I believe could give me what I never had all my life in this country.

HASSANA:

And that is the more reason why we are trying to make you see the reality of the fact that Alhaji Yahya and all the others who make you do the bad jobs so that they could win are just lying to you.

BAABA ADADA:

They are making use of the fact that you have had a bad life to make you promises they can never fulfil and they will not fulfil even if they could.

BIG BEN:

I am not the only one involved.

BAABA ADADA:

Are all the others not from the ghettos as well? Why would they go to those places where they believe criminals mostly reside to instigate you people to do the very crimes they put you in prison for?

BIG BEN:

And what is the difference between what awaits me if I help Alhaji Yahya and if I don’t?

BAABA ADADA:

At least you would still have your country to live in peacefully.

HASSANA:

A place to call your own.

BAABA ADADA:

And that is the most important thing if you but knew.

BIG BEN:

(Crying) You probably don’t understand.

BAABA ADADA:

And you probably don’t understand what it means to have a peaceful country to live in, do you?

BIG BEN:

For the few months I have come to know Alhaji Yahya, my life is a thousand times better else you wouldn’t be so comfortable speaking with me like you are doing now.

BAABA ADADA:

(Smiling to the audience) It is only the fool who judges people by the presents they give him. (To Big Ben) I wouldn’t use the word better if I were you.

HASSANA:

And hasn’t the criminal things you do increased?

BIG BEN:

And am I the only one doing the so called criminal things?

HASSANA:

If you stop and convince another person to stop, we will be heading towards something positive.

BIG BEN:

(Frustrated) And really, I repeat, what has the country done for me to deserve anything better?

HASSANA: (Angrily) Because the country gave you a home and even the mightiest eagle comes down to the tree tops to rest after a hard day in the skies. Home is home.

BAABA ADADA:

(Sorrowfully)

A grey hair and wrinkled skin are not easy to come by

There are reasons why a strong man suddenly goes weak

Walking with difficulty he who used to be the strongest

HASSANA:

Baaba, you sound sorrowful.

BIG BEN:

Hmmm! Can’t you see sorrow on his face?

BAABA ADADA:

(Crying)

So much comes into play to turn a noisy home into a quiet one

A home full of laughter turns into that of tears

And then sounds are heard no more

It is a lot that makes a man cry

And it is up to the young man to ask

Where from this transformation? (He stops)

BIG BEN:

(Confused) What are you saying old man?

HASSANA:

I believe it is about his family and him.

BAABA ADADA:

Hassana asked me a question yesterday but I was unable to answer. I want you, Big Ben, to ask me this question; ‘Where from this transformation?’

BIG BEN:

I don’t understand. Why should I ask you that?

HASSANA:

He says that ask him how he transformed from being a strong young man like you with all his family happy around him to an old lonely man.

BIG BEN:

I am impressed. You really are smart. I didn’t really understand him.

BAABA ADADA:

Do not make me a third person. Ask me the question.

BIG BEN:

Ok. Where from this transformation?

BAABA ADADA:

Time is really no one’s friend

It is no one’s foe either

It is that which causes a succulent skin to suddenly wrinkle

It is that which weakens strong muscles

It is that which causes black hair to suddenly go grey

HASSANA:

But Baaba Adada, does that not make time a foe?

BAABA ADADA:

Of course not, my dear. Hasn’t time done enough for us to call him a friend?

BIG BEN:

And what are those things that time has done to merit the name friend? You just stated all the bad things. It made your skin wrinkle, made you weak and turned your hair grey. I don’t understand you at all.

BAABA ADADA:

(He smiles) And the same, it will do to you if you are ever blessed with many years. I was once full of life like you. I had all the opportunities to make life better for myself and my people. Wouldn’t I at least show gratitude to time for all those times?

BIG BEN:

But hasn’t time caused you enough pain to make you recite sorrowful poetry?

HASSANA:

I agree with Big Ben on that?

BAABA ADADA:

Do you actually believe that time is the cause of our pain? Is it not time which offers us the opportunity to overcome the trauma that we go through?

HASSANA:

(Confused) That’s true but ....

BIG BEN:

Who then would you blame for your sorrow?

BAABA ADADA:

(Reciting sorrowfully)

For the greed of one man

So many went through pain

One man, who refused to let peace reign

One man, who wanted it all to himself

Robbing us of our wives and children

Turning our homes into cemeteries

Death, that scar that never heals

Our hearts wounded

Our eyes tired of crying

But today, we have a reason to smile (He ends).

HASSANA:

Hmmm! You have really said a lot.

Political Parties are like a team of players, each member with his or her personal agenda for being a part of the team even though the mission and vision ought to be the same. Some come for selfish motives yet there are those who come to better their people. To the former, a shame. To the latter, a praise…

Rubaba Mmahajia Rahma Sabtiu

 

EXCERPT FROM 'On Her Knees'

 

 

SCENE FOURTEEN

[Stage opens with Mma Fati, Anti Sala and Sister Yaa seated on a bench. They were all sobbing. Yusuf and Mallam stood at one corner and Mallam talks silently to Yusuf who nods his head. Latifa sat somewhere alone and she cries a little loudly. Narrator stood in one corner quietly. Maryam and Baaban Gida enter happily without noticing what is going on.]

MARYAM: [Noticing the tension in the air and wide eyed, she talks to Baaban Gida silently.] What do you think is going on?

BAABAN GIDA: [Silently.] They’re all crying. May be Jameela won’t marry again.

MARYAM: [She moves slowly to the Narrator.] What’s going on?

NARRATOR: Hmmm! Maidservant of Allah. Jameela’s soul departed us this blessed
morning. She passed on. She’s dead [He shakes his head].

BAABAN GIDA: [Almost starts crying loudly] Wayoo… [She stops him and he starts crying silently]

MARYAM: [Tears flowing down her cheeks.] To Allah we belong and to him is our return. May He accept her soul and put her into Paradise, Aljannatul Firdaus.

NARRATOR: Ameen! Ameen! Ameen! [Hand in hand, Maryam and Baaban Gida go to the women and they squat in front of them. Still in tears, Maryam puts her hands on Mma Fati’s lap. Mma Fati realizing whom it was started crying a little loudly and Anti Sala and Sister Yaa did the same]

MARYAM: [Crying a little loudly] Please don’t cry. Allah knows why He took her from
us.

MMA FATI: [Ignoring that] Oh bridesmaid of Jameela. Thank you for changing her
before this [She cries loudly].

MARYAM: [Sobbing.] We don’t have to cry. We only have to pray for her. That’s what
she needs. Mma, the Prophet peace be upon him said that the reward of the one who
bears the loss of a loved one patiently is Paradise. All we have to say is Alhamdu lil
Laah for everything that comes our way.

ANTI SALA: [Sobbing] That’s very true.

MMA FATI: Thank you. [Baaban Gida stands up and starts crying vigorously. Sister Yaa
pulls him to herself]

SISTER YAA: [Crying] Stop crying my son. Death is like that. It does only what pleases
it.

MMA FATI: [She holds Maryam’s hand tightly.] Maryam, when you left her yesterday
night, she was so excited. Later she complained of a headache then she was ok after a while. She barely slept last night. She prayed until dawn. [She pauses] This dawn, she went to the Masjid to pray Fajr for the first time in so many years. After that she ironed her dress for Jum’a and it was all white. She was happier than I’ve ever seen her be [She starts crying loudly again].

ANTI SALA: Take it easy my sister.

MARYAM: [She bows her head] Oh Jameela! May God have mercy on your soul.

SISTER YAA: Amen!

MMA FATI: [Ignoring all that] I thought it was the marriage that was making her so
happy. She started complaining of the headache again. I was standing with her when
she held her chest, went to lie on her bed and started crying. I wanted to take her to the hospital but she wouldn’t go. She made me promise her that I would thank you for her. She said the shahada and she was gone [All of them except Yusuf, Mallam and the Narrator who shook their heads started crying a little loudly].

YUSUF: Allahu Akbar!

MALLAM: Subhaanal Laah.

MARYAM: Alhamdu lil Laah. May we end up like she has. What else is there to live
for? [Baaba Ali and Major enter with a coffin. Yusuf and Mallam immediately go for it. All the women stood up]

MAJOR: [To Yusuf and Mallam.] Have you dug the grave?

MALLAM: Yes.

BAABA ALI: [Red-eyed] Sala, did they bring the cloth she’s going to be shrouded in?

ANTI SALA: [Crying] Yes. We’ve bathed her. She’s ready.

BAABA ALI: We’ll take the diseased to Jum’a then after that the Imam will give the
janaza. [He motioned for them to go] Let’s hurry up! The body is keeping too long in the house. [The Narrator and Baaban Gida follow them and they exit leaving the women]

ANTI SALA: [Shaking her head.] My sisters, we must be one another’s keepers. We do
have a place to go to one day.

MMA FATI: Indeed, we do.

ANTI SALA: Let’s make peace for death is inevitable. Look at little Jamy.

SISTER YAA: If anybody had foretold me this, I’d never have believed it. When the
young ones are going, how much more us? [As they talk, the men enter again holding the coffin covered with a white cloth. Baaba Ali, Mallam, Yusuf and the Narrator held the coffin whiles Major and Baaban Gida walked behind. They were hurrying. All the women, Maryam and Latifa followed them hurriedly and they exit in silent tears.]

EXCERPT FROM 'A LETTER TO THE MAKER OF LAWS'

THE PART I LOVE MOST IN THE BOOK; 'A Letter to the Maker of Laws.' Enjoy!!! Lengthy but I will appreciate it if you read and share;

IT GOES...

LAWYER MUSAH:
(Sadly) Was it Nabil who sent you the parcel?

ENGLISH TEACHER:
(Quiet for a while) That was what I thought at first but I was wrong. It was Fatimatu Zahra (They are both surprised).

MMA SAFIA NURSE:
Subhaanal Laah! Subhaanal Laah!

LAWYER MUSA:
(Tears in his eyes) Oh Allah! Which of the favours You have bestowed upon me would I deny? My little girl. My blessing. Alhamdu lil Laah for our daughter.

ENGLISH TEACHER:
I showed the letter to my friends who also had these negative perceptions about Islam I did and you wouldn’t believe it. They felt so ashamed of themselves and we have all decided to make photocopies of the letter and distribute it to people who are ignorant of Islam like us.

MMA SAFIA NURSE:
Allahu Akbar!

LAWYER MUSA:
Hmmm!

ENGLISH TEACHER:
(He opens his bag and brings out a paper) Here is the letter. I thought I should let you see it (He gives it to Lawyer Musa).

LAWYER MUSA:
(He stares at it for a while and shakes his head. He hands it over to his wife) Safia, please read it to us.

MMA SAFIA NURSE:
Hmmm! (She also stares at the paper and they become motionless as Fatimatu Zahra’s voice is heard in the background.)

FATIMATU ZAHRA:
Hello English Teacher,

Forgive me for my informality and for sending you an English Qur’an and other Islamic books in English. Please don’t throw them away. At least, finish reading this before you decide.

I always wonder and I keep asking myself, “Why does my English Teacher hate Islam so much?” I know you don’t hate me but you hate my Islam for if I wasn’t a Muslim, perhaps I would have been one of your most beloved students. This also makes me ask, “What does my English Teacher hate about Islam?” I never find answers to them because even at my age, I could tell that even if you are not a Muslim, you can’t help but admire Islam provided you know what it is.

I try hard day by day to find reasons not to hate you because you hated what I loved most. I tell myself, “Perhaps he doesn’t know Islam.” Then I tell myself again, “But why doesn’t he take the pain to find out instead of holding unto misconceptions?” Then I tell myself again, “Perhaps he never had the chance to know the real truth about Islam.” I battle within myself not to hate you even though you hated me and my Muslim brothers and sisters.

Indeed, I know and I believe that ignorance of anything in this century is unpardonable yet I try to give you the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes I want to ask, “Sir, please, is it because of the way Muslims worship that you hate us?” Then I imagine you say yes to this. Then in my dreams I try to explain that we do not worship any visible God and I feel like telling you the meanings of the things we say in all our acts of worship (She pauses and the Narrator enters quietly).

NARRATOR:
Subhaanal Laah! Subhaanal Laah! Subhaanal Laah! Glorified be Allah above all that is in the Heavens and the Earth. (To the audience) Did you hear what I heard? Did you understand? Do you believe she could have written all that? Subhaanal Laah! Such a blazing passion (She exits slowly and they come into motion. They all shake their heads in wonder).

MMA SAFIA NURSE:
Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!

LAWYER MUSA:
Laa ilaaha illal Laah!

ENGLISH TEACHER:
Hmmm! There is more so just pay attention (They become motionless and Fatimatu Zahra’s voice is heard from the background again).

FATIMATU ZAHRA:
I ask again, “Is it because of the way the females dress?” Then I want to tell you the essence of it. It is not to oppress me or any Muslim lady but to make us free women and to shield us from the illicit pleasures of men. I also feel like giving you reasons and prove that would more than convince you that indeed, a covered woman is far better than a nude woman.

The Muslim man and woman are equal in spirituality. I sometimes wonder how you understand the word Jihad and why you relate it to terrorism and holy wars and all the other bad things. Couldn’t you find out what Jihad meant to the Muslim?

I think about how you could paint polygamy in Islam so black. You make it look as if it is without rules and significance and I wish I could explain to you the logic behind it. Something you can never deny is very beneficial when played by the rules (She pauses and Kramo enters. He tries to make out where the voice is coming from and then he suddenly becomes motionless and Fatimatu Zahra’s voice is heard in the background again).

Oh Sir! I have so many things to say yet I keep asking myself, “Would my first word be read? Would he be patient enough to read up to the end? Well, I tell myself, “I can only try my best.” But if ever you are patient enough to read up to the end, I would plead with you to read the Qur’an and the other books and search for more information on Islam.

This is not to make you a Muslim but to make you understand Islam which would help in maintaining peace between and among us. The hatred would not lead us anywhere except to destruction.

I apologise if I did or said anything you didn’t like but what I know is that we can be different and still be at peace. Do not hate me because I do not want to hate you.

For nothing but peace!!!
Your humble student
Fatimatu Zahra Bint Musa (Kramo comes into motion).

KRAMO:
(Surprised) Who is talking? Is Fatimatu Zahra dead? Oh Master! You didn’t do well at all. You didn’t do well at all Master! (He sits on the floor and begins to cry)

LAWYER MUSA:
(Confused, he stares at Kramo) What’s going on Kramo? (He continues to cry)

MMA SAFIA NURSE:
(Also confused) Kramo, is there any problem?

KRAMO:
(He stands up and he removes a big napkin from his pocket. He begins to wipe his face) Master, you didn’t do well. You didn’t do well master. You didn’t tell me that Fatimatu has become a ghost (They all begin to laugh).

LAWYER MUSA:
Why do you think she has become a ghost?

KRAMO:
(He stares at them in surprise) Master and Master’s wife, why are you laughing? Don’t you know that your daughter is dead? (They continue to laugh)

MMA SAFIA NURSE:
You know what Kramo, I left you a sumptuous meal in the kitchen. Go and take care of yourself (Fatimatu Zahra enters).

FATIMATU ZAHRA:
(Walking towards Kramo excitedly) Where have you been Mr K?

KRAMO:
(He turns to the other side and strains his ears with his eyes wide opened) Master! (He goes to put his hand on Lawyer Musa’s shoulder) Master! Can’t you hear what I am hearing?

FATIMATU ZAHRA:
(Confused) Mr K, sweet cousin wants to eat your food.

KRAMO:
(He begins to run out) My food! My food! (He exits and they all laugh)