Why I Burnt My Textbooks After French President Criticised Islam – Nigeria’s Best Chemistry Student

Usman Dagona, the acclaimed best chemistry student in Nigeria, has reacted to THE WHISTLER‘s earlier report which showed him burning his chemistry textbooks to protest the criticism of Islam by French President, Emmanuel Macron.

Dagona had made headlines after he represented Nigeria in a world chemistry competition, where he won $400,000 after emerging second in the competition.

He was said to have defeated 1,749 Nigerian undergraduates in 2019 to qualify for the 2020/2021 Imagine Chemistry International Akzo Competition.

The competition was started in 2017 by AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, which is now an independent company known as Nouryon in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Dagona had received congratulatory messages from many Nigerians, including former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, who described him as “another proof that Nigerian youth are an invaluable resource with capacity to excel in various spheres of human endeavours.”

What, however, caught some people’s attention was a post Dagona shared on his Facebook page, which showed the moment he burnt his chemistry textbooks written by French scholars.

He had said in the post: “We Can Live Without France…Earlier Today, I have burnt my books for (sic) some famous French Chemistry Scholars” adding, “Allahumma A’Izzal Islam Wal Muslimun.”

Findings indicated that Dagona burnt his chemistry textbooks to protest President Macron’s criticism of “radical Islam”. The French president had vowed to “defend the republic (France) and its values and ensure it respects its promises of equality and emancipation”.

But in an email to THE WHISTLER on Wednesday, Dagona said his action and words were taken out of context, adding that he was a believer of harmonious relationship between Muslims and Christians.

He said, “Occasionally, relationships between humans are very crucial in the formation of cohabiting and harmonious society especially with the existence of multiple cultures, religions, and civilizations. Improper construction of such relationships between inhabitants with different grounds of religion and civilization leads to chaotic and unstable societies.”

Dagona added that, “Indeed it is not haram for Muslims to learn from Christians likewise for Christians to learn from Muslims but saying harsh words to each other is nor good and neither accepted in islam.”

Meanwhile, further checks on Dagona’s Facebook page indicated that he had taken down the post which showed him burning his textbooks.

The 23-year-old is an indigene of Gashua in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State.