Almajirai, popularly known as the “street children”, is a common sight in Nigeria majorly in the northern states. They are identified by their loose and dirty wear, a dangling bowl on their necks, and sometimes barefooted while roaming the streets.
The stereotype and dislike about these pitiful children keep growing stronger by the day. They are sometimes seen as uneducated, dirty, and thieves in facades. They are treated as low life with the lowest position in society. Hardly would you see someone giving care and attention to these children wholeheartedly.
Being an “Almajiri” doesn’t mean being “uneducated” or “illiterate”. Education or being educated means having basic knowledge regarding something that can have an impact on one’s life. Talking about knowing Islamic education, almajirai are the best when it comes to reciting the Holy Quran with tajweed and memorisation right form the heart.
Walking in dirty clothes and barefooted doesn’t mean they are thieves while putting on what they have with confidence, they seek financial and material support from any good Samaritan that can provide willingly. They are burdened with high expectations from close relatives and also the need to change the stereotype about “almajirai”.
I believe there is no need to criticise these children if one can’t help with their needs, the government should focus more on these children, train the talented ones and provide the basic needs to all.
Aminat Adebesin,
Mass Communication Department, Bayero University, Kano
