DON’T DESECRATE MUSLIM PRAYER GROUND : MURIC WARNS OSUN POLITICIANS

 

29^th June, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

DON’T DESECRATE MUSLIM PRAYER GROUND : MURIC WARNS OSUN POLITICIANS

 

The Muslim Rights Concern ((MURIC) has warned politicians in Osun State against desecrating the Muslim prayer ground. The warning came after the clash between the state governor, Ademola Adeleke and Senator Ajibola Bashiru at the Oshogbo Muslim prayer ground yesterday, Wednesday, 28^th June, 2023.

 

 

The Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who spoke on Thursday, 29^th June, 2023, described the incident as a show of shame.

 

He said:

 

“A clash occurred at the Muslim prayer ground, Oshogbo, yesterday, Wednesday, 28^th June, 2023 between Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and a prominent senator, Ajibola Bashiru.

 

 

“Senator Ajibola Bashiru allegedly arrived at the Muslim prayer ground, Osogbo, earlier than the governor. Reports say he sat on the reserved front-row seat but a protocol of Adeleke approached to inform him it was the seat kept for the Governor. 

 

 

He changed his seat to another front row seat, which the protocol still opposed. In our opinion, that was the first wrong step and it was taken by the governor’s protocol.  

 

 

“We strongly believe that a senator is also a distinguished personality who should not be disgraced at such a public function. Therefore the governor’s protocol should have allowed him to use the second seat occupied by him. Our sincere position is that the senator had respected the governor by leaving the seat which the protocol claimed was reserved for the governor.

 

 

“There was no need for the governor’s protocol to insist that the senator should leave the front row completely. The governor’s protocol was overzealous and he threw diplomacy to the winds. It was at that point that the wrong step was taken. A senator is not a Mr. Nobody. He should have been accorded his own respect as well particularly since he had respected the office of the governor by leaving his (the governor’s) seat.

 

 

“Unlike in other places of worship, no front rows are reserved for any individual inside mosques because all are equal in Islam. The Glorious Qur’an 49:13 says, ‘Oh mankind, We created you from a single male and female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other. The most honoured among you in the sight of Allah are the most righteous and Allah has full knowledge of what you do.’  

 

 

“Even Prophet Muhammad asserted clearly, emphatically and authoritatively that all men are equal. ‘You are all equal’, he said, ‘like the teeth of a comb. There is no difference between an Arab and a non-Arab except by righteousness (taqwah)…’

 

 

“Therefore there is nothing wrong if both the governor and the senator are on the front row. In fact there is nothing like entitlement to front row seats in Islam. The president, the governors, senators, etc may be given the front rows just for security reasons. Neither does Islam entertain imperial mentality inside the mosque or on Muslim prayer ground.

 

 

“What happened yesterday at the Muslim prayer ground in Oshogbo was a show of shame. It is also a security lapse because the state security apparel should have foreseen that ugly development and made adequate provision for it. There would not have been a clash if the governor’s protocol and the state’s security apparatus had worked together on the arrangements and taken strategic positions before the arrival of worshippers.

 

 

“MURIC condemns this manifestation of political Islam in negative form. Governor Adeleke should not have left the prayer ground if he was there to worship Allah, no matter what happened. Adeleke should tell us loud and clear where he belongs. All politicians should drop their political garbs in their party secretariat. They are brothers and sisters once they enter the prayer ground as Muslims, if indeed they truly belong to the Islamic faith.   

 

 

“Politicians in Osun State should not desecrate the Muslim prayer ground again. They should not use political differences to permeate and consequently rupture the fabrics of the Muslim community.”

 

#StopDesecratingMuslimPrayerGround

#EqualityInWorshipPlaces

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

SOKOTO KILLING: STOP JUNGLE JUSTICE – MURIC

 

Monday 26^th June, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

SOKOTO KILLING: STOP JUNGLE JUSTICE – MURIC

 

On Sunday 25^th day of June, 2023, the good people of Sokoto woke up and learnt about the murder of one butcher called Usman Buda over an alleged blasphemous comment against our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Sources revealed that some of the victim’s closest business associates at Sokoto abattoir made frantic efforts to rescue him but they equally sustained injuries and have been admitted to the hospital, sequel to the attack.

 

Sokoto State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the murder and urged the Muslim Ummah to stop taking the law into their hands each time there is an alleged blasphemy.

 

We assert that Islam abhors jungle justice, because it will lead to the taking of innocent lives and destruction of the properties of innocent persons. Islam does not allow people to do what they like or take laws into their hands as they deem fit. It is only the courts (Shariah and common law courts) that have powers to execute offenders after proving them guilty through fair trial, this position can be found in many Qur’anic verses such as Qur’an 4:65, 6:57, 12:40 and 43:10 etc.

 

It is not in dispute that Islamic law provides death sentence against anybody who insults, defames or brings disrepute to the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him). However, Islamic law does not leave the killing open in the hands of private individuals as it happened in the case of Usman Buda.

 

In fact, Islamic law stipulates that the offence of blasphemy like other offences should be established through evidence by witnesses before a court of law and the Court shall pronounce such person guilty of the blasphemy before execution could be carried out by the authorities.

 

Finally, while we condemn the murder of Usman Buda, we also in the strongest term urge Muslims to stop jungle justice and allow the law to take its course whenever issues of such nature arise. May the peace and blessings of Allah continue to be upon the noble prophet Muhammad (SAW).  

 

Muhammad Mansur Aliyu Esq.

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

Sokoto Branch.

 

MURIC LAGOS CHAPTER CONGRATULATES AMINAT YUSUF: LASU 5.0 CGPA

 

Sunday 25^th June, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC LAGOS CHAPTER CONGRATULATES AMINAT YUSUF: LASU 5.0 CGPA 

 

 

It was an uncommon news conference on Thursday 15th June, 2023  when the Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Prof Ibiyemi Ọlatunji-Bello announced to the whole world the extraordinary feat of perfect 5.0 CGPA achieved by a Muslim hijab activist and promising lawyer, Yusuf Aminat Imoitesemeh during the International news conference to  kick-start the 26th Convocation Ceremony of the University. According to Prof Ibiyemi, Aminat's record is the best graduating student CGPA in the history of the forty years old  University

 

The announcement which has echoed round the academic and legal spheres in Nigeria and beyond has been greeted with encomiums, prayers, gifts and encouragement  for Aminat Yusuf.

 

With great pleasure and immense happiness with the unfolding episodes of this great achievement, the Lagos State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated the lady for her academic brilliance and exceptionism. 

 

The congratulatory message according to the chairman of the State Chapter, Dr Busari Jamiu Muhammad Ademola, reads:

 

"The Muslim world especially the Muslims living in Lagos and indeed Nigeria are overjoyed with the extraordinary feat recorded by Aminat Yusuf in the history of Lagos State University. We are extremely happy and proud of her achievement in the Faculty of Law with a perfect 5.0 CGPA. What an unblemish grade and performance!

 

"We congratulate Aminat for making herself, her parents, Lagos State University, women folk and indeed Nigerian Muslims proud. She has demonstrated that adorning hijab constitutes no hinderance to success if there is  determination. 

 

"We equally congratulate her parents, Mr and Mrs Yusuf for raising a golden child. For gifting unto the world a coteous and hardworking  girl who combines beauty with academic brilliance.

 

"MURIC advises Nigerian youth to follow the trail of Aminat. We are all living witnesses of what is happening to her right now. She has brought honour to herself and her family. She is being celebrated by all and sundry in many ways. Nigerian youths must shun all social vices and emulate Aminat's academic and moral performance.

 

"Lastly, we urge the Lagos State Government and the Management of the Lagos State University to immortalize Aminat's name. 

 

"We appreciate what the University and various individuals have done for her, more is still expected in order to serve as reference point for all Nigerian girls and youths. We must celebrate our children who excel in academics to curtail the avalanche of moral decadence being displayed by our youths in the society. By doing this, Lagos State and indeed Nigeria shall be great while hundreds and thousands of Aminats shall emerge in various sectors of our national endeavors.

 

#AllHailAminatTheGenius

 

Dr. Busari Jamiu Muhammad Ademola.

 Chairman, MURIC,

Lagos State Chapter.

 

10 CHRISTIANS, 4 MUSLIMS : CAN WILL NOT PROTEST – MURIC

 

23^rd June, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

10 CHRISTIANS, 4 MUSLIMS : CAN WILL NOT PROTEST – MURIC

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has berated the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for remaining silent more than 72 hours after the appointment of five Christians and two Muslims as service chiefs by a Muslim president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The group argued that the Nigerian media as well as cyberspace would have been awash with protests from CAN had it been the other way round.

 

This was contained in a statement released from MURIC’s headquarters by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, 23^rd June, 2023.

 

His statement in full :

“Five out of the seven service chiefs appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, 20^th June, 2023 are Christians and only two are Muslims. The same numbers were repeated last week when special advisers were appointed. The latest appointments brings the ratio to 10:4.

 

 

“It is now more than 72 hours after the appointments were announced and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has not made any comment. It is unusual for the umbrella body of all Christians in Nigeria to remain quiet for so long particularly after such a momentous development.

 

 

“The usual cry of Islamisation has not rented the air. A Muslim president has made appointments heavily tilted against Muslims and instead of CAN to commend him the Christian body which is known for its gymnastic criticism and acrobatic intolerance towards Muslim leaders has maintained dead silence.

 

 

“Our deduction from this is that CAN is not really after fairness and equity. The Christian umbrella organisation is only interested in getting everything for Christians while Muslims get nothing. CAN just wants all and will employ any means, both fair and foul, but the latter more often than not.

 

 

“Islamisation, fulanisation, northern oligarchy and caliphate hegemony are mere tools of a well-crafted, false and malicious propaganda employed to armtwist Muslim leaders and Muslim politicians in general. But it is now clear that Islamisation is a sham. Fulanisation is a charade. Northern oligarchy is a phantom. Those who brandish them are articulated, demagogic and tramadolised blackmailers.

 

 

“MURIC calls out CAN to speak up. It is on record that several well-meaning groups have commended the latest steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the appointment of new service chiefs but we are yet to hear a word from CAN.

 

 

“It must also be put on record that a Muslim president that goes by the name Ahmed Tinubu has elected to appoint five Christians and only two Muslims as service chiefs even after picking another five Christians (Uwajumogu, Adedeji, Edun, Alake and Verheijen) and two Muslims (Darazo and Salma) as special advisers last week.

 

 

“We do not need mathematicians before arriving at ten Christians against four Muslims only in the present lineup. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu cannot be counted twice. Statisticians will call that duplication and they will be right. But we do know for certain that CAN will not protest over this.

 

 

“However, we reiterate the position taken by us two days ago, namely, that Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah, should wait until all appointments have been made before judging the Tinubu administration.

 

 

“Nonetheless, non-judgemental analysis like the one above is inevitable while we all wait to see the numbers of Muslim ministers that will emerge from the South West and if any Muslim minister will come from Taraba, Nasarawa and Adamawa States.”

 

#Ratio10:4

#CANMustSpeakUp

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

APPOINTMENT OF SERVICE CHIEFS: MURIC URGES PATIENCE

 

21^st June, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

APPOINTMENT OF SERVICE CHIEFS: MURIC URGES PATIENCE  

A call has been made to Nigerians to wait until ministerial and board positions are filled before passing judgement on the Tinubu administration. The appeal came on the heel of the appointment of service chiefs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, 19^th June, 2023.

Making the call on Wednesday, 21^st June, 2023 was the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). According to the Executive Director of the human rights organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola, no informed opinion about the new appointments can be given until Nigerians have a full picture of the appointments.

His full statement :

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday appointed his service chiefs. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (National Security Adviser), Maj. Gen. C. G. Musa (Chief of Defence Staff), Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla (Chief of Naval Staff), AVM H.B Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff), DIG Kayode Egbetokun (Acting Inspector-General of Police) and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye (Chief of Defense Intelligence).

“We note with great concern that a lot of speculations have been going on especially on social media about the appointments. These pontifications have centred on the faith of the newly appointed individuals.

“MURIC calls on Nigerians to wait until ministerial and board positions are filled before passing judgement on the Tinubu administration. People should not judge the micro. They should wait for the macro. A woman’s cooking skill is not judged while the pot is still on fire. We must wait patiently until she serves the food.

“Meanwhile we appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider the genuine concerns of ethnic and religious groups when making his appointments into ministries, parastatals, boards and agencies to minimise outcries at the end of the exercise.”

#FairnessAndEquitability

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).