BAN ON ORO CURFEW IN ILE-IFE: MURIC THANKS OONI, IG, CP

 

28^th March, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

BAN ON ORO CURFEW IN ILE-IFE: MURIC THANKS OONI, IG, CP

 

The curfew imposed on Ile-Ife by Oro worshippers yesterday, Wednesday, 27th March, 2024 failed to take place due to the intervention of the Ooni of Ife and the security agencies. Consequently, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which spearheaded the cry against the proposed curfew, has expressed gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, the state Commissioner of Police and the Ooni of Ife. 

 

The appreciation was expressed in a press statement issued on Thursday, 28th March, 2024 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said:

 

"Reports reaching us from our situation room in Ile-Ife indicate the total failure of the curfew declared by Oro worshippers in Ile-Ife yesterday, 27th March, 2024.

 

"From Arubidi through Ehindi, Enuwa, Oriyangi, Igbotapa, Ilare, Moore, etc, the city bubbled with activities as citizens went about their daily works without fear. 

 

"Though the Oro worshippers came out in a procession, their outing took place parri pasu with the Ramadan tafsir programmes going on in Enuwa Central Mosque as well as other mosques situated in Ilare, Arubidi, Itakogun, Igbotapa, Ilode, Sabo and other mosques. 

 

"MURIC is also in possession of a strong evidence of a peaceful atmosphere in form of a video showing Muslims as they assembled in front of their mosque listening to the Ramadan tafsir while at the same time a procession of Oro worshippers passed by peacefully. The video also showed a good number of policemen in uniform who accompanied the Oro worshippers to maintain law and order. 

 

"MURIC thanks the Inspector General of Police, the state Commissioner of Police and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. We commend the professional conduct of men of the Nigeria Police in Ile-Ife. In particular, the Ooni must be singled out for the mature and fatherly role which he played in the issue. 

 

"We have reports that the Ooni invited leaders of the Oro worshippers and the Muslims and directed that both groups should go about their affairs without disturbing each other or engaging in any act of violence. This is leadership par excellence and we appreciate his Royal Majesty for this. An earlier video clip which is available on YouTube showed the Ooni advising Oro worshippers to stop daytime curfews.

 

"Before we draw the curtain, we wish to put our policy on interfaith in proper perspective, particularly our relationship with followers of African Traditional Religion (Oro worshippers and adherents of masquerades, Osun, Obatala, etc). MURIC embraces people of other faiths in dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect. Our motto is 'Dialogue, No Violence'. 

 

"In our own view, Oro worshippers, masquerades, Obatala, Osun adherents and others are free to observe their festivals and worship the way they like so long as they do not stop us from worshipping the way we like.

 

"Our policy on interreligious coexistence is based on the guideline laid down by the Glorious Qur'an that 'For you is your religion and for us our religion' (Qur'an 109:6). It is only those who are bent on spreading falsehood who call MURIC an extremist group that does not want to see traditionalists and Christians."

 

#KudosHouseOfRepresentatives

#WidowsWidowersLeave

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

SOS TO IG, OSUN CP: STOP ILLEGAL CURFEW DECLARED BY ORO WORSHIPPERS IN ILE-IFE - MURIC

 

26^th March, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

SOS TO IG, OSUN CP: STOP ILLEGAL CURFEW DECLARED BY ORO WORSHIPPERS IN ILE-IFE - MURIC

 

Oro worshippers declared a five-hour curfew in Ile-Ife yesterday, Monday 25th March, 2024 to take effect tomorrow, Wednesday, 27th March, 2024 from 2 pm to 7 pm. 

 

However, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described the curfew as illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional. The human rights organization therefore sent an SOS to both the IG of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state to disallow the curfew and uphold the rule of law.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, 26th March, 2024 by the Executive Director of the Islamic advocacy group, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

 

The full statement reads: 

 

"Oro worshippers of the Traditional African Religion (ATR) declared a five-hour curfew in Ile Ife yesterday, Monday 25th March, 2024. The curfew will take effect tomorrow Wednesday, 27th March, 2024 from 2 pm to 7 pm. 

 

"In a statement circulated on social media in Ile Ife by O.O Dada, the Oba Isoro and Arole Obatala, Obalesu Obatala Agbaiye, the Oro worshippers announced the commencement of the Oro Owa Ilare festival. They warned all 'dwellers of Ile-Ife to stay indoors' in more than half of the ancient city and cradle of Yorubaland including Igbotapa, Ajamopo, Gbodo, Ita olopo, Oja-Ife, etc. 

 

"This curfew is illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional particularly because it was declared by those who have no authority to do so. Leaders of Oron worshippers have no locus standi as official authorities or an arm of government. The curfew announcement is therefore ultra vires, null and void. 

 

"Only the state governor and the chairman of the local government have the power to impose a curfew after a negative security report. The curfew imposed by Oro worshippers in Ile-Ife is therefore illegal.

 

“We are therefore sending this staterment as an SOS to both the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state to disallow the curfew and uphold the rule of law.

 

"Besides, no religious group has the right to stop other religious groups and citizens of this country from moving around freely or from using their places of worship. 

 

"The notice issued by the Oro worshippers of Ile-Ife is therefore arbitrary, irrational and provocative. It contravenes Chapter 4 Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended 2011) which stipulates that every Nigerian has the right to move freely in any part of the country or any city. 

 

“The curfew notice also stands in contradistinction to Section 38 (i) & (ii) which affirms freedom of worship. It says, ‘every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance’. This curfew, if allowed to take place, will obstruct Muslims in Ile-Ife from worshipping and partaking in Ramadan activities.

 

"The notice issued yesterday by the Oro worshippers of Ile-Ife was essentially directed at Muslims in particular as indicated in its title which reads, 'Special Announcement From the House of Obatala to All Muslims and Dwellers in Ile-Ife'. 

 

"This is aggravated confrontation. It smirks of a deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims in the city to a confrontation. This is apart from placing an illegal curfew during the sacred month of Ramadan which the whole world knows is a special period of high level spiritual activities among Muslims. It is clear that by attempting to ban movement during Ramadan, Oro worshippers in Ile-Ife simply wish to stop Muslims from worshipping. It is a premeditated hostile act.

 

"Apart from religious consideration, this daytime imposition of curfew from 2 pm to 7 pm constitutes a clog in the wheel of socio-economic progress for Ile-Ife and a threat to educational advancement. For example, school children and their male and female teachers are expected to return home around 2 pm. The same goes for civil servants, judiciary staff, etc. It is an invitation to chaos.

 

"This announcement by Oro worshippers has created terror in the hearts of all. Without mincing words, it is domestic terrorism. It is impunity of the highest order. It is also a deliberate challenge to the security agencies. The traditional worshippers have been enmeshed in lawlessness, recklessness and acts of violence all over Yorubaland in the past and the police have not stopped them. Will the police and DSS abdicate their responsibilities this time around? 

 

"A good example of past tramadolised excesses of traditional worshippers is the attack launched by Oro worshippers last year on Muslims who were praying inside Idi Omo Mosque, Ilare, Ile-Ife on Thursday, 30th March, 2023. Four Muslims sustained serious injuries in that attack (https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2023/04/01/how-oro-worshippers-attacked-muslims-inside-mosque-in-ile-ife/). 

 

"Also, one Muslim was killed while 9 other Muslims were injured in Osogbo when masquerade worshippers attacked Muslims holding a programme in front of their mosque situated at Oluode Aranyin compound, Osogbo on 28^th June, 2021  (https://www-vanguardngr-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/1-killed-as-masquerade-group-clashes-with-worshipers-in-osun/amp/). 

 

"Again, five Muslims were hospitalized after a vicious attack by masquerades who invaded their mosque at Ikun Ekiti in Moba Local Government of Ekiti State on Sunday, 39th May, 2017 (https://dailytrust.com/masquerades-attack-muslims-in-ekiti-destroy-mosque-properties/). The list of such attacks is endless.

 

"We are sending an SOS to the Inspector General of Police, the Osun State Commissioner of Police and the Director of DSS in the state. The security agencies owe it a duty to disallow the curfew announced by Oro worshippers against tomorrow in Ile-Ife. The rule of law must be upheld.

 

"As the traditional ruler and father of all in Ile-Ife, we appeal to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to call the Oro worshippers to order. It is part of the law of nature that groups pushed to the wall have the tendency to push back their oppressor. 

 

"Just like the rest of the country, Ile-Ife needs peace to develop and to take its rightful place as the cradle of Yorubaland. This may remain a dream where a group is allowed to impose acrobatic, gymnastic and articulated impunity on other sections of the city. Muslims of Ile-Ife remain oppressed until illegal curfews are banned."

 

#IGofPolice

#CPOsun

#SOSStopOroIllegalCurfewIleIfe

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

 

DON'T OVER-CHARGE INTENDING PILGRIMS - MURIC

 

25^th March, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

DON'T OVER-CHARGE INTENDING PILGRIMS - MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned hajj operators not to charge intending pilgrims higher than the current exchange rate of between N1,476.247 and N1,480 per dollar. Doing so will cause more hardship to 2024 pilgrims.

 

The warning was handed down on Monday, 24th March, 2024 by the Executive Director of the Islamic advocacy group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said:

 

"As time draws closer for the 2024 hajj season and intending Nigerian pilgrims are struggling to meet the deadline set by hajj authorities to register for the spiritual exercise, we are constrained to cry out on behalf of intending pilgrims against the astronomical exchange rate being demanded by hajj operators. 

 

"MURIC has it on good authority that intending pilgrims are told to pay an exchange rate of N1,625 per dollar whereas the current official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rate as at yesterday 24th March, 2024 is N1,476.247 (selling) and N1,477.247 (buying). Unconfirmed reports say CBN is actually selling to Bureau de Change (BDC) at N1,300. 

 

"Data from the federal government trading portal showed that as from Saturday, 23rd March, 2024, importers will be charged N1,448.386 per dollar for import duty. The new rate represents a 7.89% reduction from the previous rate of N1,572.507 per dollar.

 

"Just as the Federal Government (FG) has adjusted its own import and export rates to conform with the current exchange rate, hajj operators owe it a duty to the poor pilgrims to scale down its own rate as well. 

 

"We find the rate given to intending Muslim pilgrims discriminatory, irrational and unjustifiable. We are therefore constrained to demand a reasonable reduction in the exchange rate to be paid by 2024 prospective pilgrims. Charges being demanded by hajj operators must have a human face because hajj exercise is not necessarily a commercial enterprise and those engaging in it must manifest the fear of Allah (taqwah)."

 

"We are not unaware of the difficulties faced by operators in the face of fluctuation in the value of currencies. Nonetheless, we urge hajj operators not to charge intending pilgrims higher than the current exchange rate as at the time of payment while differences and undue charges are promptly returned. 

 

"There must also be a way of working out the difference in view of the instability of the exchange rate with a view to refunding any excess charges to the pilgrims at the end of the exercise. Doing otherwise will cause more hardship to 2024 pilgrims.

 

"It should be noted that we are not asking FG to reduce the cost of hajj for us or to subsidise hajj. The days of Father Christmas syndrome are gone. All we are asking for is a just and equitable treatment. We are not asking for any favour for Muslim pilgrims. No preferential treatment. We are simply demanding that their Allah-given fundamental human rights are duly respected.

 

“If importers can be charged N1,448 per dollar for import duty, why should Muslim pilgrims be asked to pay N1,625? Folding our arms and pretending to be ordinary onlookers when the rights of Muslims are being abridged is not in our character. We are asking hajj operators to respect the rights of Muslim pilgrims. No more, no less. 

 

"MURIC calls the attention of hajj operators to the warnings contained in Surat al-Mutafifiin (the Glorious Qur'an chapter 83 verses 1 - 36) against those who collect full payment but give less than required in measures, quantity or service. The ensuing verses paint gory pictures of the eschatological and punitive implications of this abominable attitude."

 

#HajjOperators

#FairExchangeRateForMuslimPilgrims

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

 

KUDOS TO REPS FOR BILL ON WIDOWS LEAVE – MURIC

 

21^st March, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

KUDOS TO REPS FOR BILL ON WIDOWS LEAVE – MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has commended members of the House of Representatives for allowing a bill seeking to grant widows and widowers five months and one month bereavement leaves respectively to pass through its second reading. The bill scaled through the second reading yesterday, Tuesday, 20^th March, 2024.

 

MURIC’s commendation for the House of Representatives was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, 21^st March, 2024. The statement was signed by the Founder and Executive Director of the advocacy group for Allah-given fundamental human rights, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The full statement reads:

 

“A bill seeking to grant widows and widowers five months and one month bereavement leaves respectively scaled through the second reading in the House of Representatives yesterday, Tuesday, 20^th March, 2024. The bill was sponsored by the member representing Bida/Katcha/Gbako Federal Constituency, Niger State, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi (https://punchng.com/reps-propose-five-month-bereavement-leave-for-widows/).

 

“It will be recalled that MURIC issued a statement captioned ‘Give Widows 4 and Half Months Leave – MURIC’ on 11^th January, 2024 (https://guardian.ng/news/muric-advocates-four-and-half-months-leave-for-widows/; https://championnews.com.ng/give-widows-4-and-half-months-leave-muricgive-widows-4-and-half-months-leave-muric/; https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2024/01/12/give-widows-four-and-half-months-leave-muric/)

 

“The fact that the Nigerian House of Representatives took up the matter to make the advocacy a fait accompli demonstrates how lawmakers and non-governmental organisations can collaborate for the betterment of society.

 

“We give kudos to the leadership and all members of the House for allowing this bill to pass through its second reading. In particular, we commend the honourable member representing Bida/Katcha/Gbako Federal Constituency, Niger State, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, popularly known as SMA, for his commitment to the upliftment of the welfare of his constituents in particular and Nigerians in general.

 

“We urge Nigerians from all walks of life to support the bill particularly during its public hearing. It should be noted that it is not necessarily an issue for Muslims alone but a case of special public interest from which all of us stand to benefit immensely. This bill is not designed for Muslim women and men alone but for Muslims, Christians, traditionalists and all. We all stand to gain from this.

 

Any woman, whether she is a Muslim, Christian or traditionalist, whose husband dies will enjoy the leave for five months. This will enable her to overcome the psychological trauma and prepare her to face her post-widowhood challenges.

 

“The bill is also a launching pad for bringing Nigeria into international limelight in the area of legislation. For whereas Australia and Brazil allow two days only for bereavement, US, Canada, France and Spain give just three days while widows are entitled to 15 days in India and 60 days in the Philippines, Nigeria is going to emerge as a most human rights compliant country that gives full recognition to Allah-given fundamental human rights of its bereaved citizens.

“It is equally noteworthy that the Nigerian Labour Act 2004 said nothing about bereavement leave. Based on the Public Sector Rules which says, ‘An officer may be allowed special leave from duty on full pay on compassionate ground for a period up to two weeks for the burial of spouse/child/parents/parents of spouse’, public sector employers give 14 days leave to their bereaved workers. Therefore there is an obvious lacuna in our laws yawning to be filled. There is no scintilla of doubt that the proposed bill will serve this purpose.

“It is also necessary to consider the Nigerian cultural context because the way people mourn is deeply rooted in their culture. In many parts of Nigeria, the burial of the deceased usually takes place after a few weeks or months and the traditional mourning period for widows is between three months and one year, depending on the area. Giving the widow and widower five and one months respectively will improve their health condition and boost productivity on their resumption of duty.”

#KudosHouseOfRepresentatives

#WidowsWidowersLeave

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

KILLING OF 16 SOLDIERS: IT IS A STAB IN THE BACK - MURIC

 

19^th March, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

KILLING OF 16 SOLDIERS: IT IS A STAB IN THE BACK - MURIC

 

16 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army 181 Amphibious Battalion comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers were brutally killed while on a peace mission in Okuama Community of Delta State on Thursday, 14^th March, 2024. Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the attack. The group described the act as cowardly, criminal, barbaric and unpatriotic.

 

The human rights organization spoke on Tuesday, 19th March, 2024 through its founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

 

The full statement reads:

 

"Criminal elements in Okuama Community of Delta State attacked and killed 16 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army 181 Amphibious Battalion comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers. The troops were killed while on a peace mission in the community on Thursday, 14^th March, 2024. 

 

"This unprovoked attack is unjustifiable by any parameter and we strongly condemn it. It is cowardly, criminal, barbaric and unpatriotic. The fact that there was no prior confrontation or act of aggression on the part of the soldiers before the attack makes the killings premeditated, inhuman and heartless.

 

"It is only criminals and unscrupulous elements who hate and kill security agents. It is also only such hoodlums and social miscreants who burn and destroy buildings and vehicles belonging to security agents and the government. 

 

"MURIC advises community leaders in Okuama to expose those behind the heinous crime. We also advise the suspects to turn themselves in with immediate effect in order to preserve the good name of the community.

 

"We call on Nigerians to evolve the culture of cherishing their heroes. Our security agencies including the army, police and the Department of State Services (DSS) deserve our respect and cooperation. They are at the forefront of all security challenges. The army in particular is our first line of defence. That is why we are deeply hurt that men of the Nigerian Army were killed in this callous manner by the same people whom they were protecting. It is a stab in the back.

 

"The security agencies stay awake so that we can sleep. They are in the trenches under rain and burning sun so that we can enjoy the comfort of our homes. They leave their families for months so that we can be among our loved ones. It amounts to articulated ingratitude to attack those who give so much to us. 

 

“We appeal to Nigerians to continue to support security agents and to report crimes and criminals to them promptly without fear. The army, police and DSS alone cannot do the work effectively. They need us and it is part of our civic responsibility to cooperate with them.

 

"MURIC assures the leadership and men of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies that millions of Nigerians are with them in their efforts to fight criminality and restore normalcy in the country. The few criminals in Okuama are just a drop in the ocean. The rest of us should not be judged by a handful who are shameless saboteurs. We therefore urge the army to put this sad incident behind it.

 

"We urge the Federal Government to institute a special Medal of Okuama to be given post humously to the 12 heroes and subsequently to be reserved for soldiers slain in like manner in future.

 

“As we mourn the fallen patriots and heroes, we condole with the army leadership and pray that Allah will give their respective families the fortitude to bear this irrepairable loss.”

 

#16Soldiers

#SupportSecurityAgents

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).