MURIC CONDEMNS DEMONIZATION OF HALAL ECONOMY, DEMANDS REVISIT

 

31^st October, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONDEMNS DEMONIZATION OF HALAL ECONOMY, DEMANDS REVISIT

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the postponement of the $1 trillion National Halal Presentation Ceremony which was originally scheduled for Monday, 27th October, 2025. 

 

The group accused the Federal Government (FG) of spoon-feeding Christian leaders and succumbing to their blackmail. It also demanded a revisit of the exercise after proper consultation. 

 

In a statement issued on Friday, 31st October, 2025 by the group's Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC l also alleged that Christian opposition to the scheme was driven by Islamophobia, parochialism and primordial sentiment.

 

Full details of the statement:

 

"The launch of the $1 trillion National Halal Presentation Ceremony which was originally scheduled for Monday, 27th October, 2025 was abruptly postponed 24 hours to the event. It is believed that the postponement was due to the objections raised by some Christian leaders. 

 

"We strongly condemn this sudden postponement. More importantly, we denounce  the demonization of the halal system of economy. We also deplore the way and manner the postponement came about.

 

"It portrays the Federal Government (FG) as an administration keen on spoon-feeding Christian leaders and succumbing to their blackmail.We aver that  Christian opposition to the scheme was driven by Islamophobia, parochialism and primordial sentiment.

 

"Christian leaders exhibited the same base sentiments when the idea of Islamic banking was muted around the year 2010. They called at an attempt to islamize Nigeria. They threatened hell and brimstone. But the government of the day stayed focused. Islamic banking was eventually approved and today we have about four Islamic banks offering non-interest services. 

 

"The question we need to ask these Christian leaders who are afraid of their own shadows is 'Has Nigeria been islamised since the introduction of Islamic banking? Has a  single Christian converted to Islam on account of coming in contact with an Islamic bank?

 

"Of all the infrastructural windows in Nigeria today, the Sukuk remains the most effective. Yet the hullabaloo that erupted over sukuk was enough to bring the sky down at the time. Christian leaders swore it would happen over their dead bodies. But today sukuk is performing wonders and those Christian leaders are still alive. 

 

"Westo-Christian economy which is based on arbitrary interest rates is retarding Nigeria's economic growth. Nigerian banks with their Shylock mentality are asking for 30% interest while halal economy is based on interest-free business transactions. The difference is clear. FG should boldly assert its position and protect Nigerian businesses from neo-imperialist hawks. 

 

"We are miffed that a government that boldly confronted the subsidy cabal suddenly developed cold feet at the launch of an economic policy capable of taking the country to El dorado just because two Muslim-haters cried wolf where there is none. 

 

 "We have a situation here: FG just caught pneumonia because two Christian clergies coughed. This is not good enough. It is clear that Nigerian Muslims have become scapegoats in the present Muslim-Muslim ticket.  

 

"It is very obvious that we are experiencing a clash of civilizations but the unfortunate thing is that FG is pampering one over the other. This is going to compel Nigerian Muslims to go back to the drawing board and restrategize. From all indications, it is clear that this interfaith thing is not yielding any positive result.  

 

"All this talk about religious tolerance is not working because it is tilted towards a Christian domination agenda. Whereas the colonialists bequeathed a Christian-oriented administrative system which should have been adjusted for balance after independence, Christian leaders always see Islamisation whenever an attempt is made towards inclusion. This is at the core of the controversy. 

 

"Muslims will continue to demand the reflection of both cultures in every aspect of Nigerian life, be it political, economic, educational or otherwise. With the constant Islamophobia manifested by Christian leaders, even the blind can see the monopolistic propensity of our neighbours. 

 

"Nonetheless, FG must not abdicate its fatherly role. It is the duty of a father to ensure equity in his treatment of all his children. This must be done in such a way that no child feels marginalized or abandoned. 

 

"To this end, we call on FG to revisit the postponed halal policy. More robust enlightenment and consultation sessions will clear the fog."

 

#HalalEconomy

#RevisitPostponedLaunch

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

TRUMP REDESIGNATION OF NIGERIA: TINUBU DOES NOT DESERVE THIS - MURIC TELLS CAN

 

1st November, 2025

 

PRESS RELEASE:

TRUMP REDESIGNATION OF NIGERIA: TINUBU DOES NOT DESERVE THIS - MURIC TELLS CAN

 

President Donald Trump of the United States of America yesterday redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern. This came over allegations of Christian genocide in the country, a charge the Nigerian government has vehemently denied. 

 

Meanwhile a faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has told the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not deserve what Nigerian Christians have done to him. 

 

The full statement reads: 

 

"Despite vehement denial of Christian genocide by the Nigerian government, US President Donald Trump yesterday redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern. 

 

"This redesignation is blurred, misplaced and distorted. It is a complete misrepresentation of the true picture on ground in Nigeria.

 

"But instead of dissipating energy on debating the rationality or otherwise for the redesignation, we will rather turn our attention to the fifth columnists in our midst.

 

"There can be no smoke without fire and the cockroach will not find its way into the house if the walls have no openings. The Americans may have their own agenda but some Nigerians gave them the green light in this matter. 

 

"It will be recalled that certain Christian leaders had written frivolous petitions to the US Congress claiming that Christians were the only ones being killed by terrorists in Nigeria. Instead of debunking this false and misleading narrative,  the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) simply amplified it. 

 

"We are nonplussed by the actions of these Christian leaders, most especially that of CAN which is expected to know better.  

 

"CAN's action is a stab in the back in view of President Tinubu's preference of Christians in appointments, favours and privileges over and above his Muslim brethren.

 

"The president himself confirmed that 62% of all appointments went to the Christians. The First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu was even more generous to them than Father Christmas. In spite of all that was done for Nigerian Christians by this administration, they still deemed it fit to take Nigeria to the enabler of Gaza genocide. 

 

"President Tinubu does not deserve this. It is the Mother of all Betrayals and we denounce those behind the report in the strongest terms."

 

#RedesignationOfNigeria

#CAN

#MotherOfAllBetrayals

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

TRUMP'S THREAT TO ATTACK NIGERIA: MURIC CALLS FOR CALM

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

هيئة حقوق المسلمين

MOTTO: DIALOGUE, NOT VIOLENCE

 

2^nd November, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

TRUMP'S THREAT TO ATTACK NIGERIA: MURIC CALLS FOR CALM

 

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, yesterday threatened to attack Nigeria over the Christian genocide narrative. However, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called for calm. 

 

In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Sunday, 2^nd November, 2025, the group said US strikes will make sense if they are directed at terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP but such strikes will be considered aggression and a resumption of the Christian crusade if innocent Muslims and mosques are targeted. 

 

The full statement reads:

 

"President Donald Trump of the United States yesterday threatened to attack Nigeria over the Christian genocide narrative (https://www-vanguardngr-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/breaking-trump-threatens-military-action-in-nigeria-over-killing-of-christians/).

 

"Taken contextually, Trump's threat should be seen as directed at terrorist groups. If that is so, our response to the threat is simple and straightforward.

 

 "Terrorists are not part of us. Their methods stand in contradistinction to the tenets of Islam. We condemn terrorism and we will not associate with those who kill and maim. We reject ideologies of kidnapping and extortion. They are alien to Islam. 

 

"Regarding President Trump's threat, Nigerians should remain calm. There is no cause for alarm particularly for peace-loving and law-abiding Muslims and other Nigerians.

 

"US strikes will make sense if they are directed at terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP who have been killing both Muslims and Christians. Bandits who have been kidnapping both Muslims and Christians should also be on Trump's hit list. Trump and the US will be hailed if this is the objective. 

 

"The truth is that the Nigerian government has been fighting these criminals. Our gallant soldiers have been in the trenches all along against these enemies of humanity. Both our government and the good people of Nigeria will be glad if America will confront them. We need such help and it will be good riddance to bad rubbish if every Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP element in this country can be eliminated.

 

"But such strikes will be considered aggression and a resumption of the Christian crusade of the 19th century if innocent Muslims and mosques are targeted or if Muslim leaders are attacked or become victims of rendition and the attendant waterboarding.

 

"We therefore put the global community on notice regarding Trump's threat. We urge law-abiding Muslims and other Nigerians to eschew thoughts of anti-Trump or anti-American actions over this threat. Nigerians should go about their lawful duties without entertaining any fear. The world is watching.

 

"In particular, we warn against the formation of any militant group by any Islamic organization in response to Trump's threat. Such groups are most likely to end up harassing innocent Nigerians, including Muslims.

 

"Muslim youths North and South of the country are advised to avoid public protests over Trump's threat. We should allow the Nigerian government to handle the matter through diplomatic channels. 

 

"To the Nigerian government, we advice persuasion and robust diplomacy. Threats should not be met with counter-threats. 

 

"We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) will not betray our avowed motto, namely 'Dialogue, Not Violence' and we implore fellow Nigerians, particularly Muslim youths, to imbibe this principle of nonviolence.

 

"As we draw the curtain, we appeal to Muslims to continue the spirit of forgiveness, tolerance and love. We must not allow any feeling of hatred, vengeance or transferred aggression towards our Christian neighbours.

 

"Ditto for foreigners in our midst. We must not forget that hospitality is a core principle in Islam. We have no hard feelings towards American citizens because we are aware that there is a huge difference between American citizens and their governments. The average American is warm, humane and hospitable."

 

#Trump

#TrumpThreat

#NoCauseForAlarm

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC SLAMS US COMMENTS ON SHARI'AH AND NORTHERN GOVERNORS

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)
هيئة حقوق المسلمين
MOTTO: DIALOGUE, NOT VIOLENCE

6th November, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

MURIC SLAMS US COMMENTS ON SHARI'AH AND NORTHERN GOVERNORS

As tension grows between Nigeria and the United States, some US legislators have demanded the abrogation of Shari'ah law in Nigeria. 12 northern governors have also been threatened with sanctions.

Meanwhile a prominent faith-based rights advocacy group has slammed comments on the Shari'ah coming from the US as unguarded, undemocratic and demagogic.

The full details:

"In the heat of tension between Nigeria and the United States, some US legislators have demanded the abrogation of Shari'ah law in Nigeria (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/832250-u-s-senator-ted-cruz-pushes-bill-against-sharia-blasphemy-laws-in-nigeria.html).

"In addition, 12 northern governors have been threatened with sanctions (https://politicsnigeria.com/just-in-u-s-moves-to-sanction-12-northern-governors-judges-traditional-rulers/).

"We reject attempts by US legislators to impose American value system on Muslims around the world, including Nigerian Muslims. The negative comments about the Islamic legal system coming from the US are, at best,
unguarded, undemocratic and demagogic.

"Our position is based on the core principles of democracy which the US claims to be championing, viz, majority rule, participatory citizenry and the rule of law but which US current behavior and pronouncements on Nigeria feverishly castigate.

"In the first place, the states practicing Shari'ah in Nigeria followed due process before introducing it. Shari'ah is being used in those states as Islam is the religion of the overwhelming majority. 

"Secondly, that overwhelming majority is actively participating in the application of Shari'ah in the states and there has never been any complaint from them.

"Thirdly, as a bastion of the rule of law, democracy accepts any set of rules agreed upon by the majority of their representatives. Incidentally, Shari'ah was introduced via the Houses of Assembly following global standards of legislative proceedings in all the states where it was passed into law.

"At that point, Shari'ah became the rule of law in those states. Any attempt, therefore, by a foreign legislature to abrogate it through extra-judicial and alien interpretation will be regarded as undue interference in the affairs of a sovereign country and a breach of international law. This will defeat the ideals of democracy, deface the values of the rule of law and bastardize the essence of free speech, liberty and humanity. In particular, this stand of the US constitutes a humongous threat to world peace.

"By the same token, MURIC denounces threats issued to the 12 northern governors. These governors were elected in free, fair and credible elections attested to by international election observers in line with global best practices. They are the legitimate rulers of their states. US threats directed at the governors constitute an unacceptable assault on the Nigerian electoral process and a desecration of the dignity of the culture of Northern Nigeria.

"We therefore call on US lawmakers to allow Nigerian democracy to thrive. Leave Northern lawmakers alone. Shari'ah is the free choice of Nigerian Muslims. There must be no obstruction of access to justice. We assert clearly, unequivocally and categorically that Shari'ah is the Muslim way of life. We strongly condemn US attempts to harass, coerce and intimidate Northern state actors over Shari'ah. "

#LeaveShariahAlone
#USStopharrassingNorthernGovernors
"LetNigeriaBreathe

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

DON’T ENCROACH ON THE RIGHTS OF MUSLIM TRADITIONAL RULERS – MURIC

 

27^th October, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

DON’T ENCROACH ON THE RIGHTS OF MUSLIM TRADITIONAL RULERS – MURIC

 

A call has gone to people of the South West to desist from encroaching on the rights of Yoruba Muslim traditional rulers. The call was made by a faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on the need to respect the rights of Muslim traditional rulers who wish to live, die and be buried as Muslims.  

 

Making the call on Monday, 27^th October, 2025 was the Executive Director of a civil liberties organization for Nigerian Muslims, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The full message reads:

 

“Muslim traditional rulers have been condemned in recent times for exhibiting their preference for Islamic practices in their personal affairs like worship, death and burial. Their detractors argue that they had no right to demand any other treatment apart from traditional way of life since they are traditional rulers.

 

“We assert the right of Muslim traditional rulers to follow their chosen faith. It should be noted that a Muslim king is more often than not crowned as a Muslim because, ceteris paribus, he was a Muslim before becoming king and nothing has changed in his anatomy, physiology or lineage.

 

“This does not stop him from carrying out his duties as king over all: Muslims, Christians, traditionalists. He is expected to be fair to all regardless of religious leaning. Neither is he expected, even as a Muslim, to totally abandon any group. The worst case scenario is the delegation of duties but his presence must be felt in all groups no matter what form.

 

“But to insist that a Muslim king must live as a traditional worshipper or be buried as one is crossing the red line. It amounts to religious coercion. Yoruba traditional worshippers have failed to demonstrate the spirit of liberalism in matters of religion. It is sad that there have been so many cases of forceful conversion at the shrines where the children of deceased traditionalists are made to accept traditional religion willy-nilly. It must stop.

 

“This practice is contrary to the letter and spirit of Section 38(i)&(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended 2011) which stipulates freedom of religion. Yorubaland is an integral part of Nigeria and this Constitution is supreme (Chapter 1, Part 1, Section 1).

 

“All forms of coercion, intimidation, bullying and threats aimed at forcing Yoruba kings to abandon their faith should therefore stop forthwith. Any king who wishes to follow traditionalists is free to do so but Muslim kings who expressly desire to live and die as Muslims should be left alone.”

 

#FreedomForMuslimKings

#RightToChooseBurialAsMuslims

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS USING US POWER TO BULLY FG, MUSLIMS - MURIC

 

21^st October, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS USING US POWER TO BULLY FG, MUSLIMS - MURIC

 

A faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has alleged that Nigerian Christian leaders are using the United States (US) as a Christian superpower to bully the Federal Government (FG) and also to subjugate Nigerian Muslims.

 

The group claimed that the report of Christian genocide was sent to the US because the latter is a Christian nation. It also wondered why Christian leaders did not contemplate reporting FG to the African Union or the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), our closest neighbours, if the intention was not entitlement and domination via neo-imperialism.

 

In a statement circulated to the media on Tuesday, 22^nd October, 2025 by the Executive Diractor of the Islamic human rights advocacy group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC warned that the Nigerian government must neither succumb to blackmail nor make Nigerian Muslims its guinea pig.

 

Full details:

 

“We have followed the current controversy over the allegation that it is only Christians that are being killed in Nigeria (otherwise called Christian genocide) with deep concern.

 

“It is noteworthy that Nigerian Muslims also complain of similar and even greater number of killings, although nobody appears to be listening. Perhaps this is because we live in a world where the narratives are controlled by a Christo-Western media both locally and internationally.  

 

“In our own opinion, what is happening is that terrorists and other criminals find it easy to attack soft targets, particularly where there are crowds. Their target is not any religious group. This is why they attack churches and mosques. It is where they can get the largest assembly of hostages. This also explains why the main victims in Christian concentrated areas like Benue and Plateau states are always Christians while the victims in Muslim concentrated areas like Sokoto and Zamfara are always Muslims.

 

“Churches are also not the only places of worship that are attacked. Mosques are also attacked. While only 200 churches were destroyed across Northern Nigeria, about 6,000 mosques were demolished in the same zone. It is simply because there are more mosques in the zone than churches. This is the plain truth.

 

“Meanwhile Muslims in Southern Nigeria face systematic persecution, denial and marginalisation. Their complaints go unheeded because both the state and federal governments of Nigeria as well as the global community are more interested in the welfare of Christian populations. 

 

“The media's complicity can be seen from the way the killing of Christians are amplified while that of Muslims is trivialized. Christian victims are reported as 'Christians' with the faith of victims clearly identified. On the contrary, the killing of Muslims even inside mosques is reported in such ambiguous and vague manners with words like 'worshippers', 'audience', etc. 

 

“Therefore, what we have today is Nigerian Christians hiding under the umbrella of the United States (US), a country known for bullying Muslim nations around the world. The intention is to armtwist FG to forcefully secure undeserved political and economic favours for Christians.

 

“This is apart from using such a report to bully Nigerian Muslims since they know that there is no single powerful Muslim nation in the world to whom Nigerian Muslims can take their case. Nigerians may find a lot to learn here from Magner Redbeard’s book of 1896, ‘Might Is Right’.

 

“Yes, might is right, otherwise what moral right has America to judge Nigeria and its government after its disgraceful and audacious funding and arming of genocidal Israel? More than 68,000 people were killed in Gaza under the watchful eyes of America. 8 million people staged ‘No Kings’ protest against President Donald Trump in the United States yesterday. They were vehemently opposed to Trump’s authoritarianism.

 

“If Americans see Trump as a tyrant and a dictator, by what moral parameter can anyone justify Trump’s attempt to judge Nigeria after bastardising democratic tenets in his own country? Following the same logic, is it not moral bankruptcy that can make anyone report Nigeria to America, least of all to Trump?

 

“This development helps to buttress the belief that tyranny, oppression and persecution reign supreme in our world today. But it hurts to find the Nigerian press oiling this machinery of falsehood.

 

“MURIC will be doing gross injustice to itself if it fails to speak on the partiality and lopsidedness of the Nigerian media, except for very few. We have watched in consternation in the past few weeks as Christian radio and television anchors demonised Muslims and the faith of Islam while they idolized Christianity. Only Christian guests and commentators were invited to their studios. To them, Muslims are persona non grata. They lambasted Muslims over the so-called Christian genocide.

“Why were Muslims not invited to narrate their own side of the story? What happened to the press principle of audi alteram partem (i.e. hear from the other side)? Is this professional? Some sections of the Nigerian press may not have passed the integrity test, particularly in the Christian genocide controversy.

“We declare that all this story about Christian genocide is an attempt to railroad the Nigerian government into doubling the pampering of its Christian population and further distance itself from the Muslims who are already marginalized, oppressed and persecuted. It is about unhealthy religious rivalry and total domination.

 

“It has become the habit of Nigerian Christian leaders to rush to America to report the Nigerian government over phantom killings and mirage persecutions. We strongly contend that Nigerian Christians are brandishing US power in our faces to blackmail the Nigerian government and also to bully the Muslims into silence and total submission.

 

“Nigerian Christian leaders are adept at playing the victim card. But one thing is striking here: They have never lodged such reports at the secretariat of the African Union or the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS). Their reports always go to the US.

 

“It should not be too difficult for analysts to decipher the handwriting here. Their aim is to get the sympathy of the most powerful Christian nation in the world, perhaps to launch a modern crusade against Nigerian Muslims so that their age-long avowed aim of ‘Nigeria For Christ’ which they could not realise at the straight can become fait accompli at the bend. A people that makes no distinction between fair and foul cannot stand up to be counted in the hall of conscience.

 

“Meanwhile it is an open secret that the US is the leader of the Muslim-hating axis of the world. The trajectory of its economic sanctions and military attacks and invasions around the world speaks volumes in this regard and the objective has always been the retardation and debilitation of Muslim nations politically, economically and militarily.  

 

“It is a dangerous power game because the besieged Muslims of Nigeria may be left with no other option than to distance themselves from both the government and the terrorists.

 

“It is now very obvious that Nigerian Muslims have been turned into pawns in a chess game and mere eggs in a ping-pong match. The terrorists are killing Muslims from the left, the government is marginalizing them from the right while powerful Christian nations intend to massacre them from the centre, all courtesy of Nigerian Christian neo-imperialists.      

 

“Before we take an underwater dive, we call on FG not to succumb to Christian blackmail gimmicks nor turn Nigerian Muslims into guinea pigs in this ugly experiment. Permit us to also warn that this false allegation that it is only Christians that are being killed in Nigeria may make the dream of making our dear country a land of peaceful coexistence a sham, a mirage, a phantom.”

 

#KillingsInNigeria

#FGDontSuccumbToChristianBlackmail   

#StopBullyingMuslims

#StopRushingReportsToChristianNations

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).