Talk to Al Jazeera - Wole Soyinka: 'Islam is not in danger'

Wole Soyinka, the Nigerian poet, playwright and activist was the first black African to be honoured with the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986. Soyinka turns 80 this week and continues to express his views as one of the most controversial writers of his generation. Deeply committed to social justice and the arts, Soyinka has been a thorn in the side of many Nigerian dictators - his outspoken activism landing him in jail and eventually forcing him into exile. Talk to Al Jazeera speaks to Professor Wole Soyinka, one of Nigeria's most prominent voices, about Boko Haram, religion, politics and the state of Nigeria today.

[@koyenikanoluwasayo8420]

Without any doubt, Wole Soyinka is the conscience of Africa. This man is adorable.

[@MsPrincessaj]

I adore this man. His wisdom and intellect is unmatchable! He experiences, activism, and artistry serve as teaching points for us all.

[@ahmeddunbar386]

A living encyclopedia in front of us may you live long sir..

[@diatadiatainternationalfol6038]

So much brilliance in this calm, gentle spirited man. It Is a pleasure to learn from him.

[@tellingfoxtales]

Such an eloquent, intelligent, speculative, and conversational individual.

[@danielmusita8540]

Soyinka's mind is geared towards serving and betterment of humanity. This is one of the greatest assets Africa has brought forth.

[@TheZuluman7]

Prof Wole Soyinka is a deep oasis of wisdom from which we all have to quench our thirst for more knowledge from.He such an adorable son of Africa and is always an honor to hear him speak his mind

[@osundeedwin2218]

WOLE SOYINKA Is certainly a MIRROR to have a feel of ANCIENT AFRICAN CONSCIENCE.

[@sknmwms6516]

The wise Elder! THOSE ARTIFACTS ARE FABULOUS!

[@yemi-dprince7993]

Prof. Wole Soyinka is a sage and he is projecting a nimble mind characteristic of Divinity-Philosopher Oduduwa. Africans in Africa and Africans in Diaspora should learn a lot from his repertoire of sagacity.

[@InsaneAssassin24]

Oh look, another insecure white person seeing an intelligent black person. Clearly you realize he's smarter than you, and you find it difficult to swallow. Its painfully obvious.

[@sheannwill]

Thank you for a much needed conversation. I hope we are paying close attention.

[@eruh_diary]

He said, am a little bit inflexible... And many many more... This gentleman is not getting old at all, in all ramification. GOD Bless you Daddy...

[@Righteous628]

This is a precious Mind of our Time.

[@OlObuffalo]

I accidentally deleted my comment that Morgan Freeman would be perfectly cast to play this man in his biography. He sounds like him, has the same bearing and they have an uncanny resemblance.

[@gregorywynn9504]

BUT NOT THE INTELLIGENCE NO WAY RESEARCH HIS TALKING POINTS ONLY COMPARISON IS PHYSICALLY ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@taiwosodiq1324]

@@gregorywynn9504 What do u mean exactly; could you please clarify your statement?

[@mishacknthane1060]

He is a genius his views on religion are correct

[@inahafen]

Listening to them man speak is such a gift.

[@imoukhuedeoise3585]

This man is Nigeria's national living monument

[@ikechukwubenjaminegbo3106]

Your voice alone is enough for wisdom it self to locate you sir

[@yahyaabdallah2259]

In all over Africa will rule Islam,i love my african brothers!

[@gborowme]

Wise man Wole Soyinka, Thank you another papa of Africa.

[@beautyistifanus8794]

Man with wisdom

[@briopalumpus8676]

im rewatching this interview seven years later and from what i hear things are worse in nigeria now.

[@ronmartinez6146]

Hard to comprehend, but good voice, end organized religion, to end violence..?

[@martinakum1924]

Much respect sir

[@balogunyusuf21]

Great

[@ikechukwubenjaminegbo3106]

I will love it if people like you or Dangote will be allowed to take this nation to a better place

[@user-bf1vo5sp8f]

My favourite

[@pacificndondo7793]

He is a son of Africa

[@kileleafricahummingbirdvib3899]

Elder-speak!!

[@daarit4069]

I think he makes a good point regarding religion in Africa. people forget every day problem in the society by just visiting religious places and used by stupid leaders.

[@victorbekee4549]

people taliking about wole and im just checking the presenter out ....she looking good :)

[@Ebilehita]

On God

[@Notrocketscience101]

What a different country Nigeria, would be if they chose leaders like this. Sadly, in 60 years I’ve never heard of him to this moment. American media is too busy pumping its own agenda to enlighten us with the words of the wise.

[@livybestokoli8539]

"Nigerians are still in denial"

[@ayokidzzy6326]

I swear to God...only got go feet save Naija. 😭😭🇳🇬🇳🇬

[@oluwoleukanah4268]

The man is endowed

[@CoolHandLuke7]

Wole's voice sounds like it was born in the darkest chasm of the Mariana trench.

[@zedmekonnen901]

The Divided and Rule policy probably applied in Nigeria. Along ethnic lines and religion in African. we see in Ethiopia today. The guys very wise. He's very careful with his words. Probably knows the source

[@abubakaribrahimbura9269]

Peoples are writing things out of ignorance, I wanna say don't judge Islam base on what an individual Muslim does or what Muslims community does, you can judge islam based on authentic sources that is the glorious qur'an and the authentic hadiths.

[@tuforu4]

yeh its ol rubbish.

[@oluolatunde342]

Still nothing good about Quran & the Hadith you mentioned! Go back and study the books deeply, you'll come back to the realisation that you needed to leave that cult asap!

[@emmanuelbamanga5252]

As well as agitating for independence during the west African student union (WASU)

[@luckydave328]

He has a very clear understanding of so many issues. Also extraordinary to hear he is a cousin of Fela Kuti !

[@eappea9109]

First Church Truth of God broadcast 1512-1513 April 4th, 2021 Sunday

[@ronmartinez6146]

Very nice guy,,but liberal's can never understand craziness...

[@sthenrymary]

How does a secular government sponsor religious pilgrimages while others live in abject poverty? Nonsense! Btw, Fela was not a problem maker. He was a freedom fighter in every way as you're professor, just the methodology was different.

[@ronmartinez6146]

Or they allow their religion to be hijacked by fools?

[@MartyredxMaiden]

First *indigenous West African. Saying "black" for African is like saying, "first yellow Asian nominated for blah blah blah" or "first dark skinned Indian etc etc" wtf?????

[@TheRockerdunny]

What I'm confused? You have heard of white South Africans and White North Africans right? He was the first black winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Changing this to West African is definitely not the same as first black winner. This is turning into a rant; I'll let you do your research.

[@FarialAlam]

Oil is the root cause of all wars.

[@lalloo93]

No hate and greed

[@ousmansanneh8375]

As prophet Muhammad (as) once said to one of his disciples before he took Islam with your intelligence how can u deprived yourself Islam what is Soyinka waiting for with your intelligence

[@victorikem4230]

yoha cb

[@YouFoundMiyes]

ShoYInKA

[@chrishulk1]

Islam is not in danger? Wole Soyinka is in danger of becoming Don King.

[@christianpekings794]

By the time this interview was shot, I was a little boy. Well Mr wole Soyinka, boko haram has not done Nigeria any good. Now, Nigeria is more divided than what one can ever imagine. Nigeria is no longer recognized as a country to some Nigerians, in fact they call her zoo. All we are asking for is to divide Nigeria. The Northerners are wolfs and southerners are the lions. By what right does wolfs judge the lions?

[@desmondchidoscky3199]

Nigeria don't want to study their wickedness against Biafrans. Only a guilty conscience hides from the light of the truth.

[@tristan583]

soyinka is fright of theses muslims

[@mustimon]

Nigeria is doomed split it up

[@hushpupilavish5115]

Nah we just need to work together