HIJRAH HOLIDAY: FG MISSED GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY, FAILED TO ACT IN LOCO PARENTIS – MURIC

 

30^th June, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
HIJRAH HOLIDAY: FG MISSED GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY, FAILED TO ACT IN LOCO PARENTIS – MURIC

Nigerian Muslims joined the rest of the Muslim world in celebrating the beginning of the Islamic new year (hijrah) on Thursday, 26^th June, 2025. Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has lamented that whereas the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria did not declare the day as a public holiday, several Nigerian states, North and South, gave special recognition to the Muslim calendar by declaring the day as a public holiday.

 

By failing to declare the first day of hijrah as a holiday, MURIC added, FG not only missed the golden opportunity to be part of the day’s glamour, not only failed to manifest unreserved goodwill, but also failed to act in loco parentis by leading the declaration of the freedom day. The group also described the situation as the paradox of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

 

A statement signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday, 30^th June, 2025, reads:

“Nigerian Muslims joined the rest of Islamdom to mark the beginning of the Islamic new year (Hijrah 1447) on Thursday, 26^th June, 2025.

 

“Although the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria did not declare the day as a public holiday, several Nigerian states, North and South, gave special recognition to the Muslim calendar by declaring its first day as a public holiday.

 

“By failing to declare the first day of the Islamic calendar as a holiday, FG not only missed the golden opportunity to be part of the day’s glamour, not only failed to manifest unreserved goodwill, but also failed to act in loco parentis by leading the declaration of the freedom day.

 

“This strange situation is the paradox of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. It is paradoxical because we see FG as the parent of all the states and the states as its offsprings or children. While the blame for FG cascades down to successive administrations since independence in 1960, the current administration must take the lion share because of the high hopes and confidence reposed in it the Muslim electorate.

 

“Prominent among the states that declared hijrah holiday are the following in alphabetical order: Borno (Thursday), Jigawa (Friday), Kano (Thursday), Katsina (Friday), Kwara (Thursday), Kebbi (Friday), Niger (Friday), Osun (Friday), Oyo (Friday), Sokoto (Thursday) and Zamfara (Friday).

“Yet a disturbing phenomenon may be noticed in the choice of days picked for holidays in different states. While Borno, Kano, Kwara and Sokoto picked Thursday, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Osun, Oyo and Zamfara declared Friday.

“This disparity and lack of harmony can only be blamed on FG because as the centre and pilot of the nation’s air carrier, FG is expected to lead the states. Had FG made a declaration the states would have fallen behind it, pronto.

“But FG chose to sit on the fence and elected to do no more than issue an official statement merely admonishing Muslims but devoid of any real and concrete declaration capable of emancipating them from neo-colonial shackles FG as the parent body failed to act in loco parentis. It left Muslims scattered like wild oats as some went for Thursday while others elected to declare Friday.

“It is hard to understand a situation whereby an integral part of the Nigerian population, nay, the greater percentage, will engage in an important religious activity to which FG will turn its back and close its eyes but the same FG will somersault ten times over while dancing to the rhythm of the music of a minority religious group.

Is that fair? How can FG continue to treat the adherents of one religion like genuine children and the adherents of another like slaves? Interestingly, too, this has been repeated under two Muslims who occupy Aso Rock. It is the paradox of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“It is interesting to note that hijrah day is not a new development. Many states had recognized it in the past and on annual basis. The Aregbesola administration in Osun State was the first to recognize it down South. But this was after decades of agitations by Islamic organisations.

 

“Many Muslim groups demanded holiday for this year’s celebration but FG gave them the cold shoulder as usual. Agitating for the day last week, the Muslim Media Practioners Association (MMPA) through their National President, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, called on FG to give Muslims the hijrah holiday ‘in line with the principles of fairness and justice to millions of Muslims in Nigeria as it was granted to the Christian brethren on every January 1 of the Gregorian Calendar’. (https://muslimnews.com.ng/2025/06/28/mmpn/).

“Before dropping the anchor, MURIC deems it germane to express its deepest gratitude to those state governments that gave due recognition to Hijrah day 1447, especially Osun and Oyo in the South. Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti and Ondo failed to give the Muslim day due recognition. Ogun State governor allegedly refused to allow NACOMYO, an umbrella organization for Muslim youth, to use the state’s stadium for its programme slated for the day. By their fruits, thou shalt know them.

“In keeping with our tradition of pacific dispensation as well as staying in consonance with the avowed motto of our organization from inception (Dialogue, No Violence), we urge Nigerian Muslims to remain good ambassadors of Islam by embracing non-violence like MURIC in the pursuit of all their lofty goals, particularly Hijrah holiday. We will not give up because it is not over until it is over. Aluta continua, Victoria Ascerta. No retreat, No Surrender.”

#HijrahHoliday

#JusticeForNigerianMuslims

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

SCHOOLS HANDOVER: MURIC ACCUSES GOV OKPEBHOLO OF ABDICATING RESPONSIBILITIES

 

25^th June, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
SCHOOLS HANDOVER: MURIC ACCUSES GOV OKPEBHOLO OF ABDICATING RESPONSIBILITIES

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State of abdicating his responsibilities. The allegation came after the governor approved the handing over of 8 schools in Auchi, Edo North, a Muslim dominated area as well as 28 other schools in other places, to Christian missionaries.

 

The Islamic human rights group demanded a reversal of the policy which it described as obnoxious, archaic, myopic, anachronistic and a tragic return to colonial days.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, 25^th June, 2025 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The full statement reads:

 

“Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Monday, June 16, 2025, approved the return of eight secondary and primary schools in Edo North, after meeting with the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Bishop Gabriel Dunia.

 

“But barely one week later, on Tuesday, 24^th June, 2025, the governor again approved 28 additional schools in Edo Central and South Senatorial districts to missionary organizations (https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2025/06/24/okpebholo-hands-over-more-school-to-missionary-organizations/).

 

“This policy is archaic, myopic, anachronistic and a tragic return to colonial days. It is an abdication of responsibilities. It is also pernicious, escapist and naive.

 

“MURIC frowns at the return of schools to missionaries for four main reasons. Firstly, both the federal and state governments have responsibilities to discharge in the area of education. Now, returning schools to missionaries is a stylish way of dodging responsibilities in this regard.

 

“Secondly, there is the likelihood of fall in qualities both among the teaching staff and equipment if schools are returned to missionaries. Can Edo State government beat its chest on this after returning schools?

 

“Edo State labelled its 2024 budget a ‘Budget of Finishing Strong’, but is this kind of abdication anywhere close to finishing strong? N32.2 billion was allocated to education out of the total budget of N325.3 billion representing 10%. This budget was later revised upward to N485.6 billion by the state’s House of Assembly. How does a state get more money yet drops its responsibilities to the electorate?

 

“Thirdly, Christian missionaries running schools in predominantly Muslim areas are known for their neo-colonial tendencies and the enslavement of Muslim students. They have been accused of forceful conversion, intimidation and coercion of Muslim students. Already, the edo State Council For Islamic Affairs have protested against this obnoxious policy (https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/islamic-council-urges-okpebholo-to-reconsider-returning-schools-to-missionaries/).

 

“Muslim students are most likely to be denied admission as conversion carrots are dangled before them as condition for entry. This was the case when schools were under Christian missionaries.

 

“Fourthly, return of schools to missionaries will rob students in missionary schools of the free education policy which is currently being provided by the Edo State government. This further cements our allegation that the state government is seeking to escape from its earlier committed responsibilities.

 

“We therefore urge Governor Monday Okpebholo to do a rethink over the issue of return of schools to missionaries.”

 

#GovMondayOkphebolo

#NoToReturnOfSchools

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

KILLING OF 8 MUSLIM PASSENGERS: MURIC SLAMS PLATEAU GOVERNOR FOR HIS UNAPOLOGETIC ‘APOLOGY’

 

23^rd June, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
KILLING OF 8 MUSLIM TRAVELLERS: MURIC SLAMS PLATEAU GOVERNOR FOR HIS UNAPOLOGETIC ‘APOLOGY’

A bus carrying twenty-eight (28) Muslim passengers, mostly Hausas, was ambushed by suspected youths from Mangun village, Mangu Local Government Area on Friday, 20^th June, 2025. Eight (8) Muslims were brutally murdered, six sustained various degrees of injuries, one very critical while four others are still missing.

Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the killings. The group also slammed the Plateau State Governor for seeking to trivialize the attack on Muslim travellers by his kinsmen.

In a statement issued on Monday, 23^rd June, 2025, the group described the attack as most horrendous, totally egregious and categorically preposterous. It also referred to the governor’s statement after the attack as an unapologetic ‘apology’. The statement was signed by the Executive Director of the faith-based non-governmental organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The full statement reads:

“A bus carrying twenty-eight (28) Muslim passengers, mostly Hausas traveling from Zaria to Qua'an-Pan in Plateau State, was ambushed by suspected youths from Mangun Village, Mangu Local Government Area on Friday, 20^th June, 2025. Eight (8) Muslims were brutally murdered, six sustained various degrees of injuries, one very critical while four others are still missing.

“We condemn the killings in the strongest terms. It is most horrendous, totally egregious and categorically preposterous.

“This zone has become a killing ground particularly for Muslim travellers. Unfortunately the rampaging youth have also become unrepentant in their killing sprees going by other attacks on Muslims carried out by them in the past. Christians in Plateau State have become slaves of their own perception. To them, every Muslim is a legitimate killing target.

“But the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, did not help matters as he attempted to obfuscate the gravity of the offence under atmospheric volatility. He said the brutal killings occurred because the Muslim travellers ‘lost their way and inadvertently ran into a tense and volatile situation in Mangun, a community grappling with sustained terrorist attacks.’

“Since when did losing one’s way become an excuse for his being killed? How can a whole governor, a learned barrister at law, rationalise criminal and barbaric killing with a volatile and tense situation? Plateau State leaders and elders are complicit.

“We are therefore constrained to conclude that Governor Muftwang has not encouraged the youth under him to manifest remorse, rather he has sought to trivialise the odious and odoriferous crime. He has also given them kudos for a job well done. That statement is best described as an unapologetic ‘apology’.

“MURIC finds this disturbing considering several massacres and killings of Muslim travellers along the same axis which have ended in no punishment for the culprits but with the governors apologizing on behalf of the youth only for the same youth to go back to the roads seeking more Muslim travellers to ambush, kill, dismember and cannibalise (we have the records).

“We call the attention of the Federal Government, Nigerians of goodwill and the international community, particularly the gullible West and its asymmetrical media team to the terror zone of Plateau State where Muslims have become easy preys.

“The Divisional Police Officer in Mangun, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) must tell Nigerians how many suspects have been arrested over this horrible killings otherwise Nigerians can be assured that these blood thirsty youths will pounce on the next Muslim travellers who ply their route. Muslims have become endangered species in Plateau State.

“We commiserate with the bereaved families, the government of Kaduna State, the Emir of Zaria and the good people of Kaduna State. We also pray that the dead among the victims be granted al-jannah Firdaus.”

#28MuslimTravellers

#MutfwangUnapologeticApology

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MASQUERADE ATTACK: ALLOW ONDO POLICE TO DO ITS WORK – MURIC

 

22^nd June, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
MASQUERADE ATTACK: ALLOW ONDO POLICE TO DO ITS WORK – MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has alleged that traditionalists are trying to frustrate police efforts to bring to book the brains behind the masquerade attack on Muslim women in Oke Agbe.

The Islamic human rights organization said the culprits must be arrested first before diplomatic moves can start. The group insisted that meetings convened by traditionalists at this time are designed to extenuate the offence.      

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, 22^nd June, 2025 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The full statement reads:

“Traditionalists are trying to frustrate police efforts to bring to book the brains behind the masquerade attack on Muslim women in Oke Agbe. It will be recalled that some masquerades invaded the mosque and house of Imam Muhammed Hussain Jegede Taqweem at Oke Agbe, Akoko, Ondo State on Thursday, 12^th June, 2025. His wives and children were brutalized in the attack.

“Although the victims were reportedly invited to the Ondo State Police command on Wednesday to state their side of the story, there has been no arrest up till now. This is partly due to attempts being made by traditionalists in the town to organize meetings between the attackers and the victims.

“We frown at the delay in arresting the culprits. The suspects must be arrested first before diplomatic moves can start. Meetings convened by traditionalists at this time are designed to extenuate the offence. They want to mull police action as if they are above the law. It is sheer impunity.    

“The King of Oke Agbe and his King-In-Council are complicit by virtue of the position they took ab initio. This is very clear from the toxic judgement they gave when they asked the Imam to bring nine goats, seven sheep and 200 pieces of kolanuts as fine after his mosque and house had been invaded and his family had been severely beaten. We declare any meeting convened by the same group as an attempt at covering up the crime.

“MURIC calls for the immediate arrest of Ajayi Odunayo Smart (a.k.a. Ijoba). He was the first to start flogging the Imam’s son before the other attackers started beating them. Other suspects include Balogun Adewale (Chief Olisa), Adeosun Leke (a.k.a. C Leke).

“The law must take its due course. Neither the king nor the Oba-in-Council is addressing the issue of justice and we are certain that the attack will be repeated again unless they are taught a lesson.

“Muslims have always been victims of masquerade attacks in Yorubaland. There is no record of a single attack initiated by Muslims on people of other faith in Yorubaland. Muslims have always been the victims. These attacks became frequent because the attackers have always gone free. We want to see a change this time. Enough is enough.

“Masquerades and their sponsors are not above the law. This attack must not be treated with levity. We must therefore allow the law to take its full course so that we can have an official record of the ugly incident. Arresting and prosecuting the suspects will act as a deterrent.

“This is how to curb crime in society. People have the propensity to grow wings if the full wrath of the law is not visited on them after committing crime. This is why both the king and his King-In-Council must allow the police to do its work. They should stop interfering.”

#MasqueradeAttack

#JusticeForOkeAgbeMuslimVictims

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

2027 WITHOUT VP SHETTIMA IS ILL-ADVISED – MURIC

 

19^th June, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
2027 WITHOUT VP SHETTIMA IS ILL-ADVISED – MURIC

Amidst controversies surrounding the 2027 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the likelihood of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu picking another running mate, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed displeasure with the idea of replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The Islamic human rights group argued that such replacement will be ill-advised. It therefore advised the president and the ruling party to consult widely before taking a decision on the matter.

The group spoke on Thursday, 19^th June, 2025 via a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

#2027PresidentialElection

#RetainVPKashimShettima

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MASQUERADES BEAT WOMEN INSIDE MOSQUE - MURIC KICKS

 

16^th June, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
MASQUERADES BEAT WOMEN INSIDE MOSQUE - MURIC KICKS

Masquerades have invaded Imam's house and mosque in Oke Agbe, Akoko, Akoko North Local Government, Ondo State. They beat up the Imam's wives and children. Meanwhile the attack has been condemned by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). 

The Islamic human rights organization described the attack as another evidence of increased anti-Muslim proclivities which Muslims now face in Yorubaland. MURIC called for the arrest and prosecution of the culprits.

MURIC's reaction was contained in a statement issued on Monday, 16^th June, 2025 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

The group spoke further:

"Scores of masquerade traditionalists invaded the house and mosque of the Chief Imam of Oke Agbe, Akoko, Akoko North Local Government, Ondo State. They beat up the Imam's wives and children. The unprovoked attack occurred on Thursday, 12^th June, 2025 in Oke Agbe Akoko,Akoko North Local Government, Ondo State. 

"We strongly condemn this attack. It is weird, irrational and barbaric. This attack is another evidence of increased anti-Muslim proclivities which Muslims now face in Yorubaland.

"To add salt to injury, the king of the town imposed fines on the Muslim victimsafter the attack allegedly because the Muslim women 'screamed and cursed the masquerades while they were being beaten instead of crying and begging'. 

"The Imam and his wives were therefore ordered to bring nine goats, seven sheep and 200 pieces of kolanuts as fines not later than Monday 16^th June, 2025 (today) or they would all be banished from the city while no one should practice Islam in the area henceforth. Nothing was said about the masquerades who attacked the women!

"MURIC regards this as a miscarriage of justice. The king's judgement stands in contradistinction to the principles of natural justice. This is 21st century Nigeria and we are supposed to be in a democracy for crying out loud. It is crude, archaic, parochial and draconian. This fine must not stand.

"We demand justice for the Muslim victims. We urge the Ondo State Government to curb the excesses of the king of Oke Agbe Akoko. Nothing must happen to the Imam, his wives and children. That banishment order must be rescinded. 

"Besides, a case of assault occasioning harm has been established. We urge the Ondo State Police Command to arrest and prosecute the attackers. They are neither anonymous nor ghosts because their leaders are well known.

"We commend the police in Oke Agbe for making it possible for the Muslims to observe the Friday prayer the next day even when there were attempts to stop them. 

"We implore the police to ensure that this case is not swept under the carpet. Injustice anywhere is an invitation to injustice everywhere and the culprits in the valley today may become the helpless victims on the hills tomorrow. That is the paradoxical cycle of injustice.

"The masquerades of Oke Agbe have just confirmed our fears about the fate of Muslims in the South West. Yorubaland has become another Siberia for Yoruba Muslims. It is persecution galore. The number of cases reported to MURIC on a daily basis is alarming.

"Yoruba Muslims face political marginalisation via deprivation of political appointments at both federal and state levels. They are impoverished with economic strangulation through denial of jobs. A robust curriculum vitae coupled with a Muslim name is a sure way to join the army of unemployed youths in Yorubaland. The statistics are staggering.

"Yoruba Muslim students are traumatized with educational repression by denying them admission to study attractive courses like medicine, engineering, accountancy, etc. They are downpressed with social ostracisation by treating them with contempt and constantly violating their Allah-given fundamental human rights. 

"All the noise about religious tolerance in the South West are mere political statements, sheer rhetorics and empty propaganda. Yoruba Muslims have never been integrated into the mainstream Yoruba society. These are the issues Yoruba nation activists and some South West governments are trying to run away from."

#OndoStateGovernment

#MasqueradesInvadeMosque

#SouthWestMuslimsUnderThreat

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

FREE TRAIN: FG, NRC UNFAIR TO MUSLIMS

 

5th June, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
FREE TRAIN: FG, NRC UNFAIR TO MUSLIMS

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused both the Federal Government (FG) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation of being unfair to Muslims particularly regarding the way and manner free train rides are declared during religious festivals.

MURIC interrogated the gross disparity and astounding imbalance in the manner free train rides are declared for Christmas whereas Salah attracts no such dividend of democracy. 

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, 5th June, 2025 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

"A strange scenario is currently playing out in the Nigerian socio-cultural landscape. Whereas the Federal Government (FG) offered free train rides during Christmas (https://www.thecable.ng/just-in-fg-announces-two-weeks-free-train-trips-from-december-20/l), it has maintained a pregnant silence on whether the same handout will be offered during this Salah.

Interestingly enough, FG also extended the period of free train rides beyond two weeks in the early days of January 2025. (https://nairametrics.com/2024/01/04/fg-extends-free-commuter-train-rides-to-jan-7-2024/).

However, the chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced an extension of train services during the Salah period (https://theeagleonline.com.ng/sallah-nrc-adds-extra-trip-to-lagos-ibadan-services/). Yes, extension of train services for which commuters have to pay, not free train ride, is what Nigerian Muslims deserve.

This extension cannot even scratch the surface. Neither is it comparable to the over-pampering luxury of the Christmas period.

As part of its corporate social responsibility to Nigerians, MURIC has a duty to interrogate the performance of government in this area. We note that there is gross disparity and astounding imbalance in the manner free train rides are declared for Christmas whereas Salah attracts no dividends of democracy.

We are therefore constrained to ask, 'Is free train meant for Christians alone? Who is in control of this government? Are Muslims really being carried along? Are we on a wild goose chase?

Just as we learnt in George Orwell's Animal Farm that 'All animals are equal but some are more equal than others. Four legs good, two legs better', FG appears to be drumming it into the ears of Nigerian Muslims that equal rights in Nigeria is an illusion, a myth, a mirage. It appears that all religions are equal in Nigeria, but Christianity is more equal than any other faith. 

We have been politically marginalized, economically shortchanged and socially ostracized. We have a Muslim president in a Muslim-Muslim ticket yet we cannot enjoy the same social infrastructural facility that Christians are given on a platter of gold. We are constrained to ask who is in control of this government? If a Muslim is in control, why are Muslims being treated like lepers?

We cannot even enjoy simple privileges and common dividends of democracy. Ordinary free train ride which FG begged Christians to take is not even being offered to Muslims. We have been treated like third class citizens in our own country. We have been marooned. We have been orphaned. We have been oppressed.

If this is an oversight, we demand an apology from FG. If it is deliberate and official arrogance and an exhibition of executive impunity, we will assume that government is merely flexing its muscles. 

We are not unaware of the extensive powers of government which it can decide to wield as it craves. But you can drag a Muslim to the mosque, at dawn, by noon or after sunset to join the congregational Salat but his special prayer point after Salat can only be determined by him. 

 

The lopsidedness of the Nigerian system is becoming more and more glaring by the day making the need for an overhauling of the old asymmetrical colonial heritage more compelling, albeit through rational and constitutional means. We believe that two wrongs cannot make a right. 

We therefore demand a total and categorical overhauling of all religious matters like our weekend system, seasonal holidays, etc that were fixed and skewed pro-Christian by the colonial master. We should have reviewed all these immediately after independence in 1960. This neoimperialist system cannot sustain itself talk less of perpetuating an enduring, just and balanced ecosystem. All neocolonial vestiges must go.

MURIC congratulates Nigerian Muslims on the occasion of the 2025 'Id al-Kabir. We charge all followers of the Prophet (SAW) to follow his painstaking patience and exemplary endurance. Despite the fact that neither FG nor NRC has been fair to Muslims, we will hold our peace since we have no iota of doubt that Almighty Allah is forever constant, ever watchful.

#FreeTrain

#ChristmasFreeTrain

#WhitherSalahFreeTrain

#OverhaulNeocolonialHeritage

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)