Bala: Soyinka Pens Message Of Solidarity For Activist In Detention

Nobel Laureate, playwright, poet, and essayist, Wole Soyinka, has written a letter to detained human rights activist and fellow humanist, Mubarak Bala, on his one-hundredth day in detention, conveying a message of hope, solidarity, and courage.

Bala, the President of Humanist Association of Nigeria, was arrested on April 28, 2020, at his home in Kaduna State following a complaint that was filed against him based on posts he allegedly made on his Facebook page which was said to be insulting to Prophet Muhammed.

The letter which was published by Humanists International begins, “I write to you today, on this day, the one-hundredth day of your detention in an undisclosed location without access to your lawyers, your wife, or your newborn son.

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“As a human rights activist, you have sought to promote freedom of belief and expression and grown to serve as President of the noble institution that is the Humanist Association of Nigeria.

“As a child, I remember living in a state of harmonious coexistence all but forgotten in the Nigeria of today, as the plague of religious extremism has encroached. We both have sought to challenge the ascendancy of religious jingoism..

He further praised Bala for staying true to his values and standing firm in his convictions.

He said, “Despite the dangers, you have stood firm in your convictions and true to your values. You have lived. You have stood against the tide of religious imperialism. You have fought for all Humanity, to ensure a better, fairer, world for all. You have not sought to appease those that treasure scrolls. You have not bowed to pressure to revere their unseen deities.”

Soyinka, who was held as a political prisoner in the 1960s, added, “I imagine you pacing your cell, just as I have done. Feeling with each passing day, the added strain. But I know too, that with each passing day you will reach further into your reserves – reserves that you have always thought finite – and discover strength of which you had never dreamed.”

Soyinka closed the letter with, “I write today to tell you that you are not alone, there is a whole community across the globe that stands beside you and will fight for you. We will not rest until you are free and safe.”

Bala has not been heard from or seen since the day of his arrest.