Your Excellency, VOTERS REGISTRATION: MUSLIMS MASSIVELY DISENFRANCHISED
There is no gainsaying the fact that Lagos as a pace setter and a center of excellence needs peace for further development. Even the blind can see the good works that the Lagos State Government has done so far and which it still continues to do.
But only a peaceful atmosphere is conducive to such developmental efforts. It is in view of this that we call your kind attention to the overzealousness of officials handling the current voters registration in the state. Contrary to official INEC instructions, these officials single out Muslims for discrimination. Muslim women who wear hijab, those in purdah (with faces veiled) and Muslim males who wear ordinary caps are being denied registration. This is capable of discouraging Muslims from participating in the voters registration exercise. It is also tantamount to mass disenfranchisement of Muslims and a criminal denial of the Allah-given and fundamental human rights of tax-paying and law abiding citizens. We have persuaded Muslims to avoid violent reaction. We have issued appeals to INEC on radio, television and newspapers but the persecution continues. Muslims in the North are not being treated this way. This may give room for negative speculations, fears and lack of confidence in INEC. Worse still, this discrimination is creating tension, excitement and agitation. We need peace to conduct a successful voters registration exercise and the April 2011 polls. While we have confidence in the leadership of INEC, the ad hoc staff in the field have failed to appreciate the need for religious tolerance. A registration officer called Muslims on the queue 'the terrorist group'. Muslims are being embarrassed, intimidated and dehumanized. This is not acceptable. It is the height of religious intolerance and a manifestation of man's inhumanity to man. It is barbaric and Bohemian. Democracy is a sham if it is not participatory. We suspect a deliberate attempt to massively disenfranchise Muslims in the South for a hidden agenda, but it is only agents provocateur who can pursue such agenda. MURIC will use every legitimate means to protect the Allah-given and fundamental rights of its members. We are presently compiling data on persecution spots. As tax-payers and law abiding citizens, Muslims have the right to register. They must not be subjected to religious apartheid. We appreciate the efforts of INEC but wish to state that any exercise that does not take care of the needs of the various groups in the country is not objective enough. The peculiarities of the different religious groups must be properly taken care of. Those who refuse to recognize Muslims and give them their rights are promoting religious fanaticism. As a proactive and peace-loving human rights organization, we have suggested to INEC as follows: 1. that INEC Lagos and Ogun states in particular should issue fresh Instructions on this matter to those in the field (that Muslim women in hijab and other women who wish to cover their heads as well as Muslim males wearing caps or any other men who do not wish to remove their caps be allowed to register without any fuss) and 2. that INEC creates special centers handled by female officials (at least one in each local government) for Muslim women in purdah. It is this type of provocation which cause religious riots. We cannot afford that in the South-West. But the reality is that justice is the soul of peace. We therefore appeal very strongly to Your Excellency to please use the machineries of your government to intervene before it is too late. Already, Muslim youths demonstrated at INEC office yesterday. A stitch in time saves nine. True to our avowed motto, 'DIALOGUE, NOT VIOLENCE' our organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), will continue to work towards the maintenance of law and order. We have no doubt that this peaceful method is equally capable of promoting, projecting and protecting (our 3 Ps) the rights of Muslims in Nigeria and elsewhere. This is our pledge. Once again we appreciate the great works of the Lagos State Government and we ask you not to allow distractors to change your focus. Eko o ni Baje o ...O baje ti! Sincerely Yours, Dr. Is-haq Akintola, Mallam Abdul Yakeen Williams Director, Secretary General Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 08182119714 08033464974 Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog: muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter: twitter.com/muslimconcern Be just  Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other  Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace  |
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
MURIC PETITIONS LAGOS GOVERNMENT
MURIC PETITIONS INEC LAGOS & OGUN
The Honourable Commissioner, 25th January, 2011 Independent National Electoral Commission, 6, Birrel Avenue, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos State. Dear Sir, ADDRESS MASSIVE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF MUSLIMS We bring to your attention the possible breakdown of law and order in Lagos and Ogun States due to the illegal, overzealous and repressive attitude of registration officials in these two states towards Muslims. Muslim women who wear hijab, those in purdah and Muslim males who wear ordinary caps are being denied registration. This is capable of discouraging Muslims from participating in the voters registration exercise. It is also tantamount to mass disenfranchisement of Muslims and a criminal denial of the Allah-given and fundamental human rights of tax-paying and law abiding citizens. We have persuaded Muslims to avoid violent reaction. We have issued appeals to INEC on radio, television and newspapers but the persecution continues. Muslims in the North are not being treated this way. This may give room for negative speculations, fears and lack of confidence in INEC. Worse still, this discrimination is creating tension, excitement and agitation. We need peace to conduct a successful voters registration exercise and the April 2011 polls. While we have confidence in the leadership of INEC, the ad hoc staff in the field have failed to appreciate the need for religious tolerance. A registration officer called Muslims on the queue 'the terrorist group'. Muslims are being embarrassed, intimidated and dehumanized. This is not acceptable. It is the height of religious intolerance and a manifestation of man's inhumanity to man. It is barbaric and Bohemian. Democracy is a sham if it is not participatory. We suspect a deliberate attempt to massively disenfranchise Muslims in the South for a hidden agenda, but it is only agents provocateur who can pursue such agenda. MURIC will use every legitimate means to protect the Allah-given and fundamental rights of its members. We are presently compiling data on persecution spots. As tax-payers and law abiding citizens, Muslims have the right to register. They must not be subjected to religious apartheid. We appreciate the efforts of INEC but wish to state that any exercise that does not take care of the needs of the various groups in the country is not objective enough. The peculiarities of the different religious groups must be properly taken care of. Those who refuse to recognize Muslims and give them their rights are promoting religious fanaticism. As a proactive and peace-loving human rights organization, we suggest as follows: 1. that INEC Lagos and Ogun states in particular should issue fresh Instructions on this matter to those in the field (that Muslim women in hijab and other women who wish to cover their heads as well as Muslim males wearing caps or any other men who do not wish to remove their caps be allowed to register without any fuss) and 2. that INEC creates special centers handled by female officials (at least one in each local government) for Muslim women in purdah. Allah bless Nigeria. Sincerely Yours, Dr. Is-haq Akintola, Mallam Abdul Yakeen Williams Director, Secretary General Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 08182119714 Cc 1. The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) 2. Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) 3. Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) 4. INEC Headquaters, Abuja 5. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State 6. The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State 7. His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State 8. His Excellency, Governor of Ogun State 9. The Director of State Security Service (SSS) Lagos State 10. The Director of State Security Service (SSS) Ogun State 11. SSS Officer, Ojo Local Government 12. SSS Officer, Iba Area Development Council 13. Chairman, Ojo Local Government 14. Chairman, Iba Area Development Council
Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog: muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter: twitter.com/muslimconcern Be just Justice is the soul of peaceNo one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace |
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
MURIC WRITES INEC
Salaam All,
Please find below a copy of the letter sent by MURIC to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Dear Sir, We bring to your attention the possible breakdown of law and order in Lagos and Ogun States due to the repressive attitude of registration officials in these two states. Muslim women who wear hijab and Muslim males who wear ordinary caps are being denied registration. This is capable of discouraging Muslims from participating in the voters registration exercise. It is also tantamount to mass disenfranchisement of Muslims and a criminal denial of the Allah-given and fundamental human rights of tax-paying and law abiding citizens. We have persuaded Muslims to avoid violent reaction. We have issued appeals to INEC on radio, television and newspapers but the persecution continues. Muslims in the North are not being treated this way. Why the double standard? MURIC is compiling data on persecution spots. A public pronouncement on this issue is necessary to educate your officials as well as the general public. We will lay the blame squarely on the doors of INEC Lagos and Ogun should there be any disturbance of public peace. Please treat as an emergency. Dr. Is-haq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 08182119714 Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog: muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter: twitter.com/muslimconcern Be just Justice is the soul of peaceNo one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace |
MURIC WRITES INEC
Salaam All, The letter below was dispatched to INEC Lagos and Ogun offices today. It is our hope that the officials, Dr. A. L. Ogunmola (Lagos) and Elder Martins Okunfolami (Ogun) will do their duties. Dear Sir, We bring to your attention the possible breakdown of law and order in Lagos and Ogun States due to the repressive attitude of registration officials in these two states. Muslim women who wear hijab and Muslim males who wear ordinary caps are being denied registration. This is capable of discouraging Muslims from participating in the voters registration exercise. It is also tantamount to mass disenfranchisement of Muslims and a criminal denial of the Allah-given and fundamental human rights of tax-paying and law abiding citizens. We have persuaded Muslims to avoid violent reaction. We have issued appeals to INEC on radio, television and newspapers but the persecution continues. Muslims in the North are not being treated this way. Why the double standard? MURIC is compiling data on persecution spots. A public pronouncement on this issue is necessary to educate your officials as well as the general public. We will lay the blame squarely on the doors of INEC Lagos and Ogun should there be any disturbance of public peace. Please treat as an emergency. Dr. Is-haq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 08182119714 Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog: muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter: twitter.com/muslimconcern Be just Justice is the soul of peaceNo one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace |
Sunday, January 23, 2011
OGSG INTERVENES POSITIVELY IN VOTERS' HIJAB SAGA
Salaam All, Brother M. A. O. Tijani, MURIC Coordinator in Remo Unit and President Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in Remo today reported that sisters in the area were being asked to remove their hijab while brothers were asked to remove their caps. This incident, according to him, occurred in Ward 4, Orubo, Oja Ale Square, St. John area, Ona Ogere, Wesley School, all in Iperu Remo. The Muslims in the area were warming up for a showdown. He also added in his text message, "Please save our faith now or violence may be the option". His message came at 1.09 pm. I immediately appealed to him that there should be no violent confrontation no matter the extent of provocation. I called FOMWAN Ameerah, Ogun State and the Ameerah of Lagos State, Hajia Gawat. They promised to act immediately. I also contacted the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (OGSSG) and Mr. Wale Yusuf who is in the Ogun State Governor's office. Fortunately both of them were in the same place together. They waded in. FOMWAN Ameerah Ogun Chapter reported that she got both the INEC and SSS officers for the Local Government and together they all visited the affected areas where the erring officials were warned to desist from the abominable practice. The SSG called back at 4.07 while Mr. Wale Yusuf called at 4.08. Both assured me that they had met the INEC Executive Secretary for Ogun State who has taken action on the issue. The sisters have since been registered. Indeed if all government officials react speedily to issues the way these two gentlemen reacted, there will always be peace in our dear country, Nigeria. We hereby appeal to Muslims both in the North and South to always adopt peaceful methods in all matters. Aggrieved Muslims are urged to call MURIC lines: 08182119714 08033464974 We know what to do. We have the training in conflict resolution. We have the passion to defend the Allah-given and fundamental rights of Muslims. In addition, objectivity is our watchword. Is-haq Akintola (Ph. D) Director, MURIC Be just Justice is the soul of peaceNo one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace |
Sunday, January 16, 2011
VOTERS REGISTRATION: NIGERIAN MUSLIM WOMEN DENIED ACCESS
Muslim women in the South are being asked to remove their hijab (head-scarf) before they can take registration pictures. Those who refuse to do so are sent away without being registered. Those who compromise their religious identity by removing their hijab are the only ones allowed to register.
MURIC denounces this discriminatory practice in the strongest terms. It contradicts the spirit of democracy. We are not in Soweto. Southern Nigeria is fast becoming another apartheid South Africa for Muslims. Forcing Muslim women to remove their hijab before participating in registration or before engaging in any legitimate exercise constitutes an infringement on their Allah-given and fundamental human rights. It violates the letter and spirit of Section 38 (i) and (ii) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees freedom of religion, its practice and manifestation.
We alert the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the satanic manipulations of agents of chaos. None but a fanatic will compel a Muslim woman to remove her hijab before registering as a bona fide Nigerian. We warn that millions of Muslim women are being disenfranchised through this illegal, unconstitutional and parochial method.
We suspect that this is a design to provoke Muslims into civil disobedience capable of aborting the registration exercise in this part of the country. If it is true that we are all one, if it is true that there is religious tolerance, if we all must coexist peacefully, why are Southern Muslims always marginalised and oppressed? It is this kind of hatred and intolerance which is responsible for the violence in Jos.
We charge INEC to quickly make a statement to clarify the situation before it degenerates into an unpalatable development. Muslims in the South have been subjected to similar embarrassments and dehumanisation in the past. They have bourne the brunt with great patience. This is going too far. Religious apartheid in Southern Nigeria must stop. Nigerians must be allowed to enjoy the dividends of democracy anywhere in the country. Democracy is a sham without equal right, equal access and equal participation.
MURIC appeals to Muslim youths to remain calm and alert while they await further directives. Dialogue is more civilised than violence: one builds, the other destroys. The reaction or inaction of the authorities will determine our next line of action.
Dr. Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-818-211-9714
Sunday, January 9, 2011
MURIC DENOUNCES POSTPONEMENT OF SCHOOLS' RESUMPTION
The Federal Government on Friday announced the postponement of school resumption from holidays till February 4, 2011. The postponement affects all nursery, primary and secondary schools in the country. Government rationalized the postponement by stressing the need for a successful registration exercise for the coming April elections.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) finds this decision parochial, myopic and pernicious. We have no doubt that stakeholders were not carried along before this decision was made. The country’s education system has suffered so many setbacks and this is one delay too many. The woeful performance of students in the final examinations results in recent times is enough to dissuade the Federal Government from taking this type of decision.
If the targets are the school teachers who are to act as registration officials, government should have looked for alternatives. There is an army of unemployed graduates in every Nigerian city. These job seekers would have been too willing to partake in the registration exercise.
It is grossly irresponsible to play games with the future of our young and innocent children. This decision smacks of insensitivity, arrogance and callousness. It does not make sense at all. It is, at best, pennywise, pound foolish. If we delay the resumption of our school children for one month just because of the coming voters’ registration exercise, what should we expect during the elections proper? Wouldn’t the schools close for six months? By the way, is the whole country in a state of emergency?
Government is treating the issue of education with levity and this is very sad. By taking this unwise decision, our leaders have confirmed their priority, namely, to win the next election. They have never been interested in the education of the youth. This is the tragedy of Nigeria. MURIC denounces this lackadaisical attitude to education, the indubitable bedrock of progress.
MURIC calls on the Federal Government to quickly reverse its decision and allow school children to learn and build their own future. Let the current generation of politicians carry their own cross. Leave the children alone. We charge the Parents’ Teachers Association, labour unions, the rest of civil society and all men of goodwill to wade into this matter before the future of our children is mortgaged for a pot of porridge.
Dr. Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-818-211-9714
Saturday, January 8, 2011
EXTRAVAGANCE IN THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENCY
PRESS RELEASE:
Details of the 2011 budget proposal have started emerging. One aspect of the revelations concern the amount to be spent on food this year in the presidency alone which has been put at N574m. Spread over the 365 days of the year, the presidency will be spending about N1.57m per day in 2011.
In a country where an army of unemployed youths roam the streets, where hunger and starvation are the lot of the masses, where the average Nigerian survives on less than $1 per day and the per capita income is less than $300, the presidency cannot rationalize its plan to spend this colossal amount on food.
Compared to last year’s presidency food budget of N405.3m, the present increase is inexplicable. What has changed in the presidency within the last one year to warrant the increment? Does this not mean that Nigerians should expect another increment of over N100m in 2012? Is this not the same executive which grudgingly approved N18,000.00 minimum wage for workers and is yet to pay same? What kind of leaders do we have in this country for Allah’s sake?
The Glorious Qur’an commands that people should be given their fair share of resources. It warns against squandering and describes people who are extravagant as brothers of Shaytan (Satan). The Qur’an concludes that Shaytan is ungrateful to Allah. It says inter alia, “Render to the kindred and those in want their due rights as well as the wayfarer. But do not waste your wealth. Verily indeed spendthrifts are brothers of Shaytan and Shaytan is to his Lord ungrateful” (Qur’an 17: 26 – 27).
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) rejects this gluttonous food budget particularly on grounds of its ungodliness. Nigerian leaders lack the fear of God. We call on the National Assembly to throw the budget back to the presidency until a prudent food budget is returned. This is the budget of a spendthrift. It is outrageous, ungodly and provocative. It is insensitive to the plight of the average Nigerian. It is an exercise in executive extravagance. It is therefore unacceptable.
This reckless food budget further confirms our fear that the poverty in Nigeria is self-imposed. There is a persistent push from people in power to permanently enslave the proletariat by impoverishing the citizenry. This explains why a few powerful individuals often allocate to themselves resources that should go round. Nigerians were not created to suffer hunger, nakedness or homelessness. The Glorious Qur’an confirms that Allah made enough provision for all (Qur’an 20: 118 – 119). The problem is that those in power in this country have always taken more than their fair share.
MURIC calls on those in power to let Nigerians go! The Nigerian government has no moral right to punish petty thieves and armed robbers pushed into crime by hunger when they themselves lack discipline.
We charge the Federal Government to show concern for millions of Nigerians who battle hunger on a daily basis. We call on civil society to rise against the current trend of the manifestation of greed, avarice and selfishness in the executive arm of government.
Dr. Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-818-211-9714
Saturday, January 1, 2011
NEW YEAR EVE BOMBING IN ABUJA, NIGERIA
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-818-211-9714