(191): Masussuka: Algorithms, Context, and the Death of Nuance

Malam Yahaya Masussuka's murder shocked a Ghanaian friend so deeply that he fell ill for a week. He, two other friends, and I spent an hour discussing the case and, more generally, the state of preaching in Northern Nigeria. Thanks to algorithm-driven social media content, we are in for a bumpy ride.

My friend listens to Masussuka quite regularly. However, he and the two others cannot recall ever listening to other clerics, especially the ones Masussuka challenged, for more than a few minutes.

They rely on short clips that social media algorithms bring to their timelines, or the few-minute recordings the slain Malam played during his preaching sessions. To them, Masussuka had successfully "retired" all other scholars, so none of them preached today. I was astonished.

When I insisted that wasn't true, one of them said he had no access to the full versions of any other clerics' preaching anywhere. He said this while watching a feature-length, AI-generated film on YouTube!

Today is the second time I have written the name "Masussuka" on social media. I avoided the topic for two reasons. First, to reduce the controversy his mention often stirs. Second, I don't listen to him enough to do justice to some of his arguments.

Often, the short clips we encounter on social media may inform, educate and entertain us in many ways. However, they can also mislead, misinform and miseducate us.

Meaning is often context-dependent. Don't rush to judge people until you listen to the context in which they speak. Many mischief-makers cut short videos or audio clips of others to mislead or to trend. Our videos at A Wata Mahangar have been doctored for such sinister reasons.

I am not here to defend Masussuka or his rivals. I only want people to be more just. TikTok videos may not be sufficient to form an informed opinion about others, especially on polemic religious issues. Listen to both sides with an open mind. Above all, ask for God's guidance.

May He guide us to the right path, amin.

Muhsin can be reached via muhsin2008@gmail.com.

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