A Nigerian man, who was committed to a psychiatric hospital in Kano for being an atheist, has reportedly been released following a strike by several doctors at the hospital.
29-year-old chemical engineer Mubarak Bala was sent to Aminu Kanu Teaching Hospita against his will l by his family after criticising Islam and declaring his atheism.
In response, his family sought medical advice and when the first doctor told them that there was nothing wrong with their son, a second claimed that he was suffering from a personality change.
Bala was held at the hospital for 18 days, and his attempts to get help were thwarted after his mobile phone was confiscated.
The hospital also refused to give evidence confirming his ‘condition’ to his lawyers despite several requests.
In a statement issued by charity organisation International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) upon his release, Bala said:
“I thank you all for the concern and advice. To those who have made threats against me, I urge you to reason and learn to tolerate opinions other than yours. Education and free speech cannot be cured, but love for humanity is our panacea, we share the same destiny. All that I have said is in good will that we may all prosper and learn the facts of life.”
IHEU who have been helping with his case have stated that his life is now in danger and that Bala has been receiving death threats. They stated that here are still deep concerns for Mubarak’s safety in a part of the country where accusations of “apostasy” can be deadly.
Are we going backwards or forward?
I think that it is rather the case that those who sent him into hospital need their heads examined first.
Crazy people are always the first to call others crazy. That that is what had happened here .
Thank God he is free at last. I hope that someone will give him shelter and rescue him from these people.
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