WE RESOLVED SHAVING ISSUE WITH NYSC – MURIC

 

30^th April, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

WE RESOLVED SHAVING ISSUE WITH NYSC – MURIC   

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has confirmed that the misunderstanding over the shaving of beards by Muslim males in NYSC camp was amicably resolved last Thursday and no incident occurred after the resolution. The group therefore appealed to all stakeholders to allow peace to reign.

 

 

MURIC’s clarification came on Sunday, 30^th April, 2023 through a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

“Recent developments particularly an online story on the matter and a rejoinder issued by the NYSC make it mandatory that we explain the role played by our organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), in the shaving controversy of Muslim corpers in Ogun State NYSC orientation camp.

 

 

“MURIC headquarters received calls from the camp exactly at 6.25 pm on Thursday, 27^th April, 2023. We immediately sent a text message to NYSC headquarters requesting for intervention. Our message was sent out at exactly 6.30 pm. NYSC headquarters responded within minutes and promised that the matter would ‘be taken care of’.

 

 

“We received confirmation that ‘the issue has been resolved’ within a few minutes through another message from NYSC headquarters. It is noteworthy that we relayed this resolution to several social media platforms where Muslim leaders are prominent and active.

 

 

“We have no cause to doubt NYSC because many cases involving Muslim corpers have been settled in this manner without heating up the polity. In particular, we note with great interest that no further complaints emanated from the original complainants at the orientation camp after the intervention.

 

 

“Egged on by our avowed motto which is ‘Dialogue, No Violence’, MURIC has successfully explored this window of communication to resolve conflicts between Muslim corpers and NYSC authorities on several occasions. We regard the NYSC as our partner in progress in our efforts to reengineer the Nigerian mindset towards positivity. We can also testify that NYSC leadership has proved highly sensitive and responsible in the past few years.

 

 

 

“We appeal to all stakeholders to allow the status quo ante to prevail in order for peace to reign particularly since no incident occurred after the intervention of NYSC headquarters. We remind Muslims of the preference for dialogue as presented in the Glorious Qur’an 3:64. We therefore advice that this tradition should be sustained in the interest of the good name of Islam and Muslims in general.”

 

#DialogueNoViolence       #DialogueAndGoodFaith

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MAY 29 : DOUBLE GUARDS FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT - MURIC

 

28^th April, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MAY 29 : DOUBLE GUARDS FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT - MURIC 

 

One of Nigeria’s human rights organisations, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has demanded increased security measures for the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed and the Vice President-Elect, Kashim Shetima. MURIC based its demand on rising security threats and treasonable utterances coming from the opposition camp which bothered on desperation.

 

 

The group made the demand on Friday, 28^th April, 2023 via its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said :

 

“We find it necessary to alert the nation, particularly the security agencies, concerning ominous signs on the Nigerian political horizon. Too many threats have emerged over the approaching inauguration of the winner of the presidential election held on 25^th February, 2023.

 

 

“We have never had it so tense. The tension in the air is so thick that it can be cut with a knife. This is probably the first time open threats will be issued against a president-elect after he has been declared winner of the presidential election. Serious threats hang over our heads like the sword of Damocles. The signs are too open to be ignored.

 

 

“An Abuja-based pastor, Sarah Amaku had the effrontery to say publicly that Tinubu was not her president-elect. She said Tinubu was the president-elect for the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the ruling party (https://www.legit.ng/politics/1523641-tinubu-president-elect-fiery-abuja-preacher-unbelievable-statement-days-election/).

 

 

“Controversial Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, also declared yesterday that there was no president-elect (https://lagoscityreporters.com/theres-no-president-elect-adebanjo/).

 

 

“An indirect call for interim government and an undisguised attempt at derailing the swearing-in of the president-elect has also emanated from Chuks Ibegbu, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

 

 

“Ibegbu wants the National Assembly to extend President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration by three months, beyond May 29, 2023 (https://saharareporters.com/2023/04/26/ex-ohanaeze-ndigbo-national-publicity-secretary-ibegbu-calls-extension-buharis).

 

 

“A few followers of one of the presidential candidates who lost the election, Peter Obi, have also converged in front of the Nigerian Army headquarters in Abuja, begging the military to take over power (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXsNa3L90k4).

 

 

“Such utterances and actions have emboldened at least one real and palpable threat as a member of the opposition, Obiajulu Uja, disrupted an Ibom flight from Abuja to Lagos on 1^st April, 2023. He reportedly delayed the flight for more than one hour (https://thenationonlineng.net/passenger-protesting-tinubu-inaugurationarrested-aboard-abuja-lagos-flight/). It is obvious that Obiajulu would do more than that if he has the chance.

 

 

“These are ominous signs and only the uninitiated will fail to read the handwriting on the wall. We therefore call on the security agencies to double guards for the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima. Nothing must happen to them.

 

 

“We remind those plotting to truncate the presidential inauguration billed for 29^th May of the dire consequences of their actions. The whole of Africa is enveloped in crises. Sudan cannot breathe. It is presently torn between government soldiers and the militia. M23 and the ADF are at war with government forces in DR Congo.

 

 

“Peace has eluded Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad. Anti-inauguration elements should remember Nigeria’s humongous population of 210 million which will have nowhere to go in case of a conflagration since all the countries surrounding us are already engulfed in one conflict or another.

 

 

“We therefore call on the opposition to exercise restraint in its conduct as it contests election results. Those who fight and run away live to fight another day. Those who did not win in 2023 have another chance in 2027. Remember the words of Paul Tibbets who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, ‘My God! What have we done?’ But it was too late. The damage had already been done. A word is enough for the wise.”

 

#MayDayMayDayDoubleGuards      #ProtectPresidentElect

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

DEFILED MUSLIM MINOR: MURIC DEMANDS JUSTICE

 

26^th April, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

DEFILED MUSLIM MINOR: MURIC DEMANDS JUSTICE  

 

The fourteen (14) year old daughter of an Igbo Muslim, Mallam Tahir Akpan, has been reportedly defiled. The suspect, Emeka Emmanuel, 29, has been remanded in Kirikiri Correction Centre.

 

 

But an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has raised the alarm concerning attempts being made by certain people to sweep the matter under the carpet. MURIC has insisted on justice for the family of the defiled Muslim girl.

 

 

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, 26^th April, 2023 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads :

 

“A fourteen (14) year old Muslim girl has been allegedly defiled by one Emeka Emmanuel, 29 of No. 2, Sam Onwudinjo Street, Igbo Elerin, Lagos State. The victim is the daughter of an Igbo Muslim, Mallam Tahir Akpan.  

 

 

“Although the suspect has been remanded in Kirikiri Correction Centre by the Family Magistrate Court, Agbo Malu, Ajegunle since 13^th April, 2023, we are raising the alarm today because of attempts being made by certain people to sweep the matter under the carpet.

 

 

“According to the victim’s father, Mallam Tahir Akpan, from Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, a highly placed individual in Igbo Elerin, Lagos State, has threatened to deal with him for refusing to soft-pedal on the matter. The father also alleged that the culprit’s lawyer also threatened to write a petition against him alleging child abuse.

 

 

“MURIC rejects this attempt to arm-twist Mr. Tahir Akpan. He is a well educated, highly enlightened, disciplined and fearless man. The threat to deal with him and to charge him for child abuse is sheer blackmail. How can a sexual abuse complainant be turned into an accused? What kind of justice is that?

 

 

“We suspect foul play. We warn that officials involved in this case should not allow themselves to be used in circumventing the law. Any attempt to turn the case upside down will be resisted with every legitimate means available. We want those involved to know that Akpan is not alone. MURIC and all conscious and freedom-loving Nigerians are with him.

 

 

“MURIC demands justice for the Akpan family on this case of sexual assault on their underaged daughter. Also, in view of threats issued against the victim’s father, Mr. Tahir Akpan, we warn that nothing should happen to him or any member of his family.

 

 

“MURIC is in possession of the medical report which confirms a case of penetration and defilement against the culprit. We therefore warn all those who are making attempts to interfere with the course of justice in this case to steer clear. The Akpan family is fully aware of their Allah-given and fundamental human rights and any attempt to encroach on any aspect of their rights will be rebuffed with the full force of the law.

 

 

“Finally, we commend the police in Iba for playing their role professionally and fearlessly. By taking the case to court, the police have proved that they have no skeleton in their cupboard.

 

 

“However, it is not over until it is over. There is one more thing the police needs to do. We demand full protection for the family and the onus falls on the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Iba Police Station, Iba, to ensure this for Mr. Tahir Akpan and all members of his family. MURIC will continue to monitor the situation until justice prevails.”

 

#JusticeForAkpanFamily

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

SALAH MESSAGE: MAKE GOVT HOUSES & MARKETS PEOPLE FRIENDLY – MURIC

 

22^nd April, 2023

SALAH MESSAGE:

MAKE GOVT HOUSES & MARKETS  PEOPLE FRIENDLY – MURIC  

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to governments at all levels to make their houses and markets people-friendly. MURIC argued that poor workers can hardly afford the price tag of the so-called low cost housing estates while ordinary market women who are driven out of their stalls could not pay for the shops built by governments.

 

 

The appeal was contained in a Salah message issued by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 22^nd April, 2023.

 

He said :

 

“Nigerian Muslims yesterday joined fellow faithfuls around the globe to mark the end of 2023 (1444 AH) Ramadan fasting. Prayers were held all over the country.

 

 

“MURIC felicitates with President Muhammadu Buhari, President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abu Bakr bin Ibrahim Al-Kanemi and all Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Id al-Fitr.

 

 

“In view of the fact that Ramadan is designed to evoke pity and sympathy for the poor in every society, we call attention to the plight of the Nigerian proletariat who toil day and night for our country but who are overworked, underpaid and over-taxed. We direct special focus to the unfortunate phenomenon of redundant low cost houses purportedly built for workers by the federal and state governments but whose prices are well above what the poor workers can afford.

 

 

“Some of such buildings still remain unoccupied to date. They have become habitats for rodents, reptiles and cockroaches. They are symbols of bad government policies which need to be quickly reviewed.

 

 

“More saddening is the plight of poor and vulnerable market women who are driven out of their shops by governments. The shops are pulled down and ultramodern structures are built in their places. Yet governments always put crazy price tags that are unaffordable for the poor market women who were displaced for the new and modern shops.

 

 

“This constitutes deliberate dispossession and calculated economic disempowerment. It is sheer impoverishment as well as direct and deliberate attack on vulnerable women. Millions of such women have been rendered poor and driven into lives of slavery, hunger and disease.

 

 

“It should be noted that many of these poor market women are bread winners for their husbands and children. They are responsible not only for the feeding and accommodation of their families but also for the education of their children.

 

 

“This obnoxious policy forces the grownup children and sometimes the mothers to go into crime, prostitution and other evil practices like ritual killing and human trafficking. It is inexplicable, self-defeating and counter-productive for a government that is fighting criminality.

 

 

“MURIC singles out the Lagos State Government (LASG) in this hateful policy in its drive for increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Poor market women have been chased away from Igando, Iyana Iba, Okokomaiko, Ikotun, Oshodi, Mushin, and very recently, the Fruits Market at Ketu Garage in Lagos State.

 

 

“Ultramodern shops have been built in those former markets. The result is the massive displacement of poor, vulnerable market women as LASG placed high price tags on the new shops. Where does LASG expect poor market women who are selling pepper, onion, tomatoes, local herbs and other insignificant wares locally called ‘wosiwosi’ to get millions of naira to buy shops?

 

 

“The ultramodern shops have been taken over by modern day capitalist comprador bourgeoisie with easy access to bank loans, connection in the corridor of power and a sinister motive to drive poor market women who are indigenes out of their land for eventual and total takeover of ‘a land without people’ by a people all out for total control of land belonging to others. We warn that these are ingredients for anarchy in the nearest future.

 

“MURIC advises the federal and state governments to make their houses and markets people-friendly. Governments at all levels should reduce their greed for immediate recovery of capital invested in housing projects. The practice of selling houses and shops at skyrocket prices should stop. It only succeeds in strangulating the poor in society.

 

 

“Worse still, it compartmentalizes society into poor people filled with hate and rich people who are mere targets of revolutions. It is a tragedy waiting to happen. It is a badly planned, diabolically executed, anti-people, heartless, bohemian and barbaric disempowerment programme.”

 

#StopDisplacingMarketWomen   #NoToCapitalistHousingProgrammes

#ThePoorDeserveMercy  

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

 

MURIC TO OBI : IS ‘CHRISTIANS TAKE BACK YOUR COUNTRY’ ALSO FAKE?

 

12^th April, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO OBI : IS ‘CHRISTIANS TAKE BACK YOUR COUNTRY’ ALSO FAKE?

 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has denied the authenticity of the leaked ‘Yes Daddy’ audio tape. In response, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked him if another video clip in which Obi told Christian clerics to ‘take back your country’ is also fake.       

 

 

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, 12^th April, 2023 by the Executive Director of the Islamic human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said :

 

“The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has denied the authenticity of the leaked ‘Yes Daddy’ audio tape (https://dailytrust.com/breaking-im-under-pressure-to-go-on-exile-obi/; https://www.thecable.ng/audio-call-featuring-me-and-oyedepo-is-fake-says-obi; https://punchng.com/just-in-leaked-audio-conversation-with-oyedepo-fake-doctored-obi/.

 

 

“It will be recalled that MURIC on 5^th April, 2023 asked Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel to confirm or deny the authenticity of the audio tape in which Peter Obi was heard saying, ‘Yes Daddy’ to every remark made by the bishop. The LP presidential candidate called the election a ‘religious war’ to which the bishop replied ‘I believe that’. Peter Obi also told the bishop, ‘Like I keep saying if this works, you people will never regret the support.’

 

 

“Although MURIC gave Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo three days, the former came up with a denial within twenty-four hours while the latter has kept mum to date.

 

“MURIC contends that the silence of Bishop David Oyedepo connotes confirmation while the denial by Peter Obi has been substantially diminished by the bishop’s silence.

 

 

“This is a matter that involved two people who have been accused of doing the same thing: one is vehemently denying the incident while the other party is mum. Even if silence does not necessarily mean consent in all cases, we are certain that Nigerians are not fools.

 

 

“Perhaps the bishop is being guided by warnings against lying as contained in the Bible, such as ‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. (But she died, Genesis 3:4) and ‘Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.’ (Leveticus 19:11).

 

 

“Interestingly enough, MURIC is also in possession of a video clip in which Peter Obi spoke with an assembly of Christian clerics and concluded with the words, ‘Christians take back your country’. Perhaps we should quickly ask the LP presidential candidate another question before we start interrogating the contents of both the audio and video tapes.

 

 

“This is our question: ‘Mr. Peter Obi, Sir, is this video clip also fake, doctored or counterfeited?’

 

#NoToReligiousWar    #NoToPoliticalShenanigans    #NoToReligiousDemagogues

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

APOLOGY: MURIC ACCUSES JAMB OF PAMPERING CHRISTIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

 

8^th April, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

APOLOGY: MURIC ACCUSES JAMB OF PAMPERING CHRISTIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) yesterday apologized to Muslim candidates who were disallowed from entering Covenant University and Canaanland JAMB centres to sit for the mock examination which took place on Thursday 30^th March, 2023.

 

 

But while accepting JAMB’s apology, an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), accused the examination body of pampering Christian private universities who witch-hunt Muslims. The group insists that JAMB should take action on the petitions written against Covenant University and Canaanland.

 

 

This was revealed in the organisation’s reaction circulated to the media by its  

Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 8^th April, 2023.

The statement reads :

 

“The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) yesterday apologized to Muslim candidates who were disallowed from entering Covenant University and Canaanland JAMB centres to sit for the mock examination which took place on Thursday 30^th March, 2023 (https://saharareporters.com/2023/04/04/nigerian-agency-jamb-apologises-fix-another-exam-muslim-students-delayed-covenant/).

 

 

“We accept JAMB’s apology in good faith and we express appreciation for rescheduling the examination for those maltreated at the centres. JAMB is being charitable and humble by tendering apology and we commend the examination body for doing that.

 

 

“Nonetheless, we are constrained to ask what next apart from the examination rescheduled for the poor, innocent female Muslim candidates who were persecuted, traumatized and derided yet their only crime was wearing hijab and being Muslims?

 

 

“How will JAMB lift their lowly spirit and remove their excruciating agony and sorrow? Also, how will JAMB douse tension among millions of Muslims who have suffered agonising pain on account of the maltreatment of their fellow Muslims?

 

 

“We contend that JAMB is treating the Christian private universities with kid’s gloves. Rescheduling the examination cannot be the only consequence for the oppression, dehumanisation, and stigmatization which Covenant University and Canaanland wilfully and maliciously visited upon our daughters as if the latter are less homo sapien compos mentis.

 

 

“The fact that JAMB alone is the one apologising, perhaps accepting responsibility for inviting the candidates, while the culprits themselves wear the toga of recalcitrance, arrogance and lack of remorse, is enough to tell Nigerians that there have been no consequences and there will never be if care is not taken.

 

 

“The implication of such a situation is that there will be repetitions time and time again. Hijabophobia will occur again so long as there is no punitive action for what happened at Covenant University on 30^th March, 2023. Others who have not seen any deterrence will also do it. They will do it again and again as long as they are treated like sacred cows.

 

 

“MURIC demands justice for those poor innocent Muslim girls. We are not convinced by Covenant’s excuse that it was not aware of what was happening to Muslim candidates at its gate. We prefer to be human beings dissatisfied than pigs satisfied. We will rather be free men in our graves than live like puppets and slaves in our own land.

 

 

“We therefore call attention to a petition written by us and addressed to the JAMB Registrar. The petition which was dated 3^rd April 2023, left Lagos by courier on the same day. We are also aware of another petition on the same matter written by another Islamic organization.

 

 

“In our petition, we demanded that:

 

1.  JAMB should delist Canaanland and Covenant University as well as all other centres where such ugly incidents occurred;

2.  JAMB should repeatedly issue instructions to its examination centres with warnings against discrimination and stigmatization of any religious group and

3.  Such warnings should be made available to the general public.

4.  JAMB should make arrangements for reparations for victims of such persecution in form of a repeat exercise with full time as allotted to other candidates at any other time convenient for the examination body.

 

“It is clear from the relief announced by JAMB that it has only attended to the last demand, namely, a rescheduled examination with full time. We reject the plea of ignorance about the ill-treatment of the Muslim candidates coming from Covenant University and Canaanland. They are both vicariously liable for actions taken by their staff. It is either vicarious liability or negligence and ineptitude. They must admit one and accept culpability.

 

 

“The only thing that can change our position is a public apology from both Covenant University and Canaanland. If JAMB can tender public apology on a matter which it did not order directly, what stops the culprits from doing the same? A public apology will mean they are likely to desist from a repetition. Refusal to apologise will mean total and absolute desertification of any sense of remorse and a flamboyant exhibition of l’etat cest moi proclivity.

 

 

“We remind JAMB that it is responsible for sending candidates to centres. To that extent, therefore, JAMB is duty bound to protect the candidates’ interest and welfare, including the dignity of their human persons.

 

 

“JAMB has no business sending candidates to centres where they will be harassed and humiliated or where the examination body cannot guarantee safe and peaceful conduct as well as respect for human dignity.

 

 

“JAMB should not pamper any Christian private university. It will further expose Muslim candidates to ridicule. JAMB’s apology does not cover the crimes of Covenant and Canaanland. It cannot extenuate their offence. Apologising on their behalf is not even enough. Let them apologise by themselves for failing to respect their fellow human beings. Anyone who dehumanizes a single Muslim has offended more than two billion Muslims who live on earth today.  

 

 

“This is why no single candidate should be posted to Covenant University and Canaanland for future examinations until they apologise publicly. Nigerians are waiting.”

 

#DelistCovenantUniversity     #DelistCanaanland      #HijabIsDignity

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)