TRAIN ATTACK: UNITE AGAINST TERRORISTS – MURIC

 

30^th March, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

TRAIN ATTACK: UNITE AGAINST TERRORISTS – MURIC

 

The Abuja-kaduna train was attacked by bandits on the evening of Monday, 28th March, 2022. The attack led to the killing and abduction of some passengers. Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Nigerians to unite against terrorists, bandits and saboteurs.

 

MURIC's input was contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday 30^th March, 2022 by its director and founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads :

"Bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train yesterday Monday, 28th March, 2022. The attack led to the killing and abduction of some passengers. We strongly condemn this attack. It was mindless, vicious, brutal and barbaric. This is also a major evidence of the extent to which unscrupulous elements can go to sabotage the good efforts of the government to provide comfort for the citizens.

"With hindsight, the latest attack may not have been too surprising particularly with the ominous signs presented by previous activities of bandits in the zone. It is obvious that Kaduna Airport was attacked last week because the bandits had become desperate since they could not find enough victims on the roads.

"Our security agencies should be more proactive. Intelligence Transport Systems (ITS) should be used in all our transportation networks starting with the modern railway line and critical national routes of our roads. They should all be linked with control rooms of the security agencies. We also need tactical surveillance teams at critical locations along the modern railway lines. Not only that, unmanned aircrafts and drones can be used to collect information during the trains’ working hours. This will prevent criminal elements from springing surprise attacks on innocent passengers.

“The citizenry must also be security conscious. They need to complement government’s efforts. Nobody should tell us that the present government did the wrong thing by introducing a modern rail system but the people benefiting from it must be prepared to pass information about suspicious moves at sabotage.

“We call on Nigerians to look beyond this mindless attack. It is the work of saboteurs, rebellious subjects and enemies of peace. Nigerians must not allow the tragic incident to test their will. Rather, we must unite against those who seek to destroy our fragile civilisation and our nascent democracy. We must speak with one voice targeted at the inhumanity of man to man. The criminals are not happy with the progress being made. They want to drag us back to the Stone Age. We must resist them.

“No single government, no matter how popular, or how powerful, can be competent enough to repel terrorists and saboteurs. The people must become partners with government. They must become eyes and ears of the security agencies. The modern trains on Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri should be enough to inspire patriotism.

“Patriots all over the world stand with their governments. That was what Americans did when the country was attacked by terrorists in 2001. That is what the Ukrainians are doing now against the invading ultra-Red communist war criminals. We must unite against those who are making it difficult for innocent citizens to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

“The media has a special role to play at this critical point. There is no professionalism in celebrating terror. Nobody is immune from terrorists’ attacks, not even journalists. That is why all hands must be on deck in the fight against insecurity. Terrorists are cowards who pick on soft targets to embarrass government and traumatise the citizenry, including journalists. That is why all media fora must mobilise themselves against marauding bandits and terrorists.

“The modern trains introduced by this administration are superb and they are reducing the sufferings of travellers but it is now time to leverage on the infotech facilities at our disposal to make the trips hitch-free. Nonetheless, the challenge of insecurity should not be seen as a mark of failure of the project. We must put saboteurs and enemies of the people to shame by forging ahead. We must not surrender to terrorists. Nigeria is on course.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

RESPECT ISLAMIC CITY C OF O: MURIC TELLS WORKS MINISTRY, OGSG

 

28^th March, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

RESPECT ISLAMIC CITY C OF O: MURIC TELLS WORKS MINISTRY, OGSG

The Federal Ministry of Works and the Ogun State Government have been told to respect the Certificate of Occupancy (‘C of O’) of the Islamic City located at the Pakuro-Lotto axis of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The settlement was built by the Zumratul Jamiu Mumin Society of Nigeria (ZJM) decades ago but there are plans by the Federal Ministry of Works to demolish the whole settlement in favour of a fly-over bridge.

 

 

Making the plea on Monday 28^th March, 2022 was the director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said:

“The Federal Ministry of Works allegedly marked buildings located inside the Islamic City, a settlement of the Zumratul Jamiu Mumin Society of Nigeria (ZJM) located at the Pakuro-Lotto axis of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The marking exercise immediately produced fears of demolition particularly as it was followed by briefings from men of the ministry who revealed that it was for the purpose of an interchange and flyover.

“Although the ministry has not made another move since MURIC cried out against the proposed demolition in its 14^th October, 2022 press release, nobody can tell when bulldozers from the ministry will move into the settlement. Since to be forewarned is to be forearmed, we remind the Ministry of works that the whole settlement has a ‘C of O’ and this should be respected.

“Nigerian Muslims will not fold their arms and watch one of the products of its hard labour disappear in rubbles moreso since the Islamic City is situated between two Christian entities, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Camp and the Deeper Life Bible Church Camp. MURIC will ensure that Nigerian Muslims resist this with every legitimate means at their disposal.

“The Redeemed Church leadership has also been fingered as having an interest in evicting the Islamic City from its environs. Officials of the Islamic City confided in MURIC that RCCG clerics had approached them to sell off their priced property because the church was ‘not comfortable with an Islamic group nearby’.

“We are therefore constrained to warn the RCCG leadership to keep off the property. Islamic City is not for sale. It may be small in size. It is mighty in spirit. The residents may appear poor, they are rich in their souls. In the same vein, we advise the Federal Ministry of Works to respect the ‘C of O’ on the property. It is impunity, lawlessness and wickedness to subject owners of buildings to stress and fear after they have satisfied all righteousness on a property by obtaining the ‘C of O’.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

 

PICK REDEEMER CANDIDATE, KISS ASO ROCK GOODBYE – MURIC

 

25^th March, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

PICK REDEEMER CANDIDATE, KISS ASO ROCK GOODBYE – MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has warned that any political party that picks any member of the Redeemed Church of Christ Group (RCCG) will kiss the Aso Rock goodbye. 

 

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday, 25^th March, 2022 by the Chairman of MURIC, Bauchi State Chapter, Barrister Idrees Safiyanu Gambo. 

 

He said:

 

"Since the Redeemed Church of Christ Group (RCCG) has the effrontery to launch a national political structure, the rest of us have no option than to challenge this existential threat. We must work towards our survival before the RCCG tsunami threat sweeps Islam and other Christian denominations out of existence. 

 

"It is very clear that the plan of our Redeemer friends is to eliminate other religions or turn their faithfuls into political slaves. 

 

"The ugly experience of our Muslim brothers in Yorubaland where they are persecuted politically and marginalised economically despite their superior numerical strength is enough for us to know what is likely to happen if members of the RCCG take over the reins of power either in Aso Rock or in any state in the manner they are going about it at the moment. We in the North have been watching this ugly development with keen interest.

 

"In fact, it is unimaginable to expect the emergence of RCCG candidates as winners in Northern States and we will ensure that this does not happen now or any time in the future. We are not unaware of the 'winner-takes-all' mentality of the RCCG but Northern Muslims will never expose their land to such obnoxious cultural invasion, as what we want is a society where everyone is treated equally.

 

"The RCCG declaration of a directorate of political affairs was met with great annoyance by us in the North and it has destroyed any goodwill Christian politicians enjoy here in the North. It is so bad that any Muslim who queues behind a redeemer is now considered a traitor to the cause of Islam and this is not what we want at this critical point in our nation. 

 

Barrister Idrees Safiyanu Gambo also warned Islamic organizations and Muslim communities against hobnobbing with any RCCG candidate, whether presidential or gubernatorial.

 

He said, "Although MURIC will not support any political party against another during the coming general election, we warn Islamic organizations and Muslim communities against hobnobbing with any RCCG candidate, whether presidential or gubernatorial. 

 

"While our interest lies in credible candidates who are most likely to benefit their states or the country as a whole we frown upon attempts by the RCCG to turn the whole country into Redeemers territory. It had better not be. The RCCG plot is dangerous, provocative and contemptuous. Our warning to all political parties is: pick redeemer candidate, kiss Aso Rock goodbye."

 

Barrister Idrees Safiyanu Gambo,

Chairman,

Bauchi State Chapter,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

REDEEMED CHURCH SIMPLIFIED OUR S/W AGENDA – MURIC

 

21^st March, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

REDEEMED CHURCH SIMPLIFIED OUR S/W AGENDA – MURIC  

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has declared that the Redeemed Church has simplified its South West agenda with its foray into politics. The group made the declaration in a press release issued on Monday, 21^st March, 2022. The statement was signed by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

The statement reads :

 

“The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) recently created a Directorate For Politics and Governance ahead of the 2023 presidential election. (https://thenationonlineng.net/2023-rccg-sets-up-directorate-for-politics/) Although the implication is not lost on MURIC, we are amused by the needless furore generated by the group’s foray into politics.

 

 

“Why should that decision surprise anyone? Is there any Christian group that is not deep in politics? Only the naïve will agree that the Christian Association of Nigeria is not into politics. So, if CAN is in politics, how can the RCCG be outside politics? They have all been there all the time. The only exception may be the highly respected clergyman, Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper Life.

 

 

“The declaration of RCCG did not surprise MURIC at all. We knew they had been working on it all along. Neither does MURIC need to engage RCCG in a race for political awareness and relevance. Political consciousness is in MURIC’s Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA).

 

 

“This explains why our statements are often pregnant with political permutations. It was for this reason MURIC fought against the military junta. We rallied support for the actualisation of MKO Abiola’s June 12 mandate for the same reason. We are always on the lookout for good Muslim materials for politics: experience, followership, spread, etc.

 

 

“It explains why we stood solidly behind President Muhammadu Buhari. We refused to look for his faults because even wailing wailers refuse to see anything good in all he has done. So why should it be MURIC that will join his blind critics? This is called strategic political alignment.

 

“It will be recalled that MURIC made no secret of its agenda for the South West. We made a clear demand for a Yoruba Muslim presidential candidate from all parties that zone their candidates to the South West and we gave good reason for that.

 

 

“South West Muslims are sick and tired of Yoruba Christians heading this country because they always use that position to further terrorise, traumatise, oppress and pauperise Yoruba Muslims. Any Christian president or vice president can come from the East or Middle Belt. We don’t mind. Even former President Goodluck Jonathan is welcome back as far as MURIC is concerned.  

 

 

“RCCG disappointed us anyway. We expected a group with such a big name to be more careful, more strategic. Why go to town with the loud music? RCCG has been too clever by half. It has even helped MURIC to cross a big hurdle. This is because some Muslims who had earlier been reluctant to buy our ‘Yoruba Muslim President’ idea grew wiser the moment RCCG made its unguarded declaration. In fact, RCCG just simplified MURIC’s South West agenda for us.

 

 

“We are not losing any sleep over RCCG’s establishment of its political directorate. It has only helped to wake up a sleeping giant. It has pinched Nigerian Muslims who have numerical strength but has never used it to its advantage, except in Kaduna where Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the fox of Northern politics, taught Southern Kaduna a big lesson in how humility can humble self-righteousness.

 

 

“RCCG needed to have borrowed a leaf from Southern Kaduna before making its boastful declaration. The group has just ignited Muslim passion for politics particularly as regards using Muslims’ numerical strength to good advantage. Every Muslim is now aware that a vote for any candidate who is a member of the Redeemed Church is a vote for the Redeemed Church.

 

 

“MURIC since its establishment in 1994 has always encouraged Muslims to go into politics. Although most Muslims disagreed at the time and social critics called us names, we stood our ground.

 

 

“Today we are vindicated. We warned long ago that Muslims who avoid politics will be governed by non-Muslims who love politics but hate the Muslims. They will be governed by non-Muslims who will rob Muslims of their civic liberties. They will be governed by non-Muslims who will deprive Muslims of all means of economic survival. They will be governed by non-Muslims who will humiliate Muslims, dehumanise Muslims, harass their mothers and their wives and snatch the hijab from their daughters’ heads.

 

 

“RCCG just fell into MURIC’s trap without us lifting a finger. The group has done our assignment for us. Muslims in the South West who used to say we are one with Yoruba Christians are now singing a different song. RCCG has helped us to change their orientation.

 

 

“Like the old school American artiste, the song on the lips of every Yoruba Muslim now is, ‘I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that kept me blind. It’s going bright, bright, sunshining day…’

 

 

“For the avoidance of all doubts, MURIC remains committed to its South West agenda of a Yoruba Muslim president. We started the campaign for this with a press release in February 2021 long before any religious group commented on 2023 candidates and we have issued more than six statements since then. We are consistent and we are committed to this goal.

 

 

“Incidentally no member of the RCCG who is a candidate today fits into that shoe. We therefore advise Yoruba Christians who are still in the safety of the RCCG camp to remain where they are without exposing their weaknesses. We assert clearly, unequivocally and emphatically that Yoruba Muslims will not vote for them, neither will Northern Muslims. It is much ado about nothing.

 

 

“The wind has blown. We have seen the ruff of the hen. That RCCG declaration was a gross misadventure in political strategy. It changed the mindset of Muslims who have now realised that an RCCG president for Nigeria is an existential threat to Nigerian Muslims.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

PROBE JUTH OVER ANTI-HAUSA-FULANI ACTIVITIES – MURIC

 

20^th March, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

PROBE JUTH OVER ANTI-HAUSA-FULANI ACTIVITIES – MURIC 

 

An influential newspaper, the Daily Trust, yesterday published a damning report on discrimination against Hausa-Fulani Muslims resident in Jos, Plateau State, who are being forced by record officers at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to change their states of origin and local government areas before they can register to see a doctor.

 

 

Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has waded into the matter. The organisation described the forceful change of states of origin as ethnic cleansing and unlawful de-indigenisation. MURIC demanded a probe into the allegation.

 

 

This was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday, 20^th March, 2022 by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

The statement reads :

 

“An influential newspaper, the Daily Trust, yesterday published a damning report on discrimination against Hausa-Fulani Muslims resident in Jos, Plateau State, who are being forced by record officers at the General Out-Patient Department (GOPD) of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to change their states of origin and local government areas before they can register to see a doctor (https://dailytrust.com/investigation-how-juth-denies-hausa-fulani-treatment-for-claiming-plateau-state).

 

 

 

“This, indubitably, is ethnic cleansing and unlawful de-indigenisation. It is horrendous, detestable and despicable. It is the most odious and insidious marginalization and encroachment on Allah-given fundamental human rights of any tribe that ever happened on Nigerian soil. It is unlawful, illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional. We therefore demand full investigation which should start with immediate effect.

 

 

“It is highly appalling. We cannot imagine such inhuman practice happening to Nigerian citizens in a Nigerian state. Such audacity is criminal. There must be consequences for such temerity for the culprits, their sponsors and those who are encouraging them.

 

 

“The probe should unearth the identities of all the victims from the time the evil practice started with a view to reversing the wicked acts and restoring the states of origin and local governments of the victims.

 

 

“We are shocked that such a discriminatory practice is being allowed in a federally funded hospital where people’s state of origin should not matter at all, particularly for health care delivery. It points to the likelihood of more egregious and horrifying things happening in hospitals belonging to the Plateau state government.

 

 

“There is no doubt that the state government is complicit and should be held responsible. It is impossible that this highly reprehensible practice is happening without the knowledge and tacit approval of the state government. It is a big shame that this kind of illegality is being promoted by a state governor who swore to uphold the constitution and to provide welfare services to people of the state. Conscienceless power is subjugating powerless conscience.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).