MURIC SLAMS BOKO HARAM FOR KILLING CLERIC

21^st January, 2020

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC SLAMS BOKO HARAM FOR KILLING CLERIC

The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi, has been killed by the Boko Haram terrorist group. The cleric was declared missing on 2^nd January, 2020 but was later discovered to have been kidnapped by Boko Haram. A video clip later confirmed that Rev. Andimi was kidnapped by the insurgents.

Meanwhile, an Islamic human rights body has expressed consternation and bewilderment at the killing. The group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) described the incident as horrendous, ungodly and barbaric. MURIC spoke through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Tuesday evening, 21^st January, 2020.

“We are at a loss for words. This killing is horrendous, ungodly and barbaric. We condemn it in the strongest terms possible.  We reiterate our earlier declaration that Boko Haram is not an Islamic group. Rather it is a group of misled zealots. Any group that kills at will and sheds the blood of innocent people cannot represent Islam.

“What is the crime of Rev. Andimi? Being a Christian is not a crime. There are thousands of honest, hardworking, law-abiding and God-fearing Christians in this country. Every individual is free to follow any faith of his or her choice because the Qur’an forbids compulsion in religion (Glorious Qur’an 2:256) while the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion in Section 38 (i) & (ii).

“It is crystal clear from the antics of Boko Haram that the group is keen on igniting a religious war. They are deliberately targeting Christians for attacks in order to provoke the Nigerian Christian community. But they have failed. They have failed because Nigerians understand what Boko Haram is doing. We will not fall into Boko Haram’s trap. We call on all Nigerians regardless of religious background to unite against Boko Haram. We must stand up together to fight the evil in our midst.   

“MURIC calls on the Federal Government to intensify and expedite action on uprooting the last vestiges of Boko Haram.  We charge the Nigerian military to leave no stone unturned in its efforts to eliminate the insurgents.

“Our hearts are heavy as we remember the bereaved family. But we are assured in the global reach of God’s divine umbrella. Only Him can console them. Only Him can heal. We pray that the Almighty God will give succour to members of the deceased’s family, his friends and associates.

“We commiserate with the leadership of CAN in particular and the Nigerian Christian community in general. In times like this, it is only patience, maturity and statesmanship that have kept Nigeria going. We must remember that both sides have lost key figures to Boko Haram attacks. Many Imams and high profile Shaykhs have been killed by these same insurgents. We are all losing our loved and respected clerics, friends and family members. We are all victims. Let us console ourselves and strengthen our position with prayers instead of resorting to blame game.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

      

MURIC APPEALS TO SOLDIERS: DON’T ABANDON MAIDUGURI – DAMATURU ROAD

21^st January 2020

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC APPEALS TO SOLDIERS:

DON’T ABANDON MAIDUGURI – DAMATURU ROAD  

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to soldiers in the North Eastern part of the country not to abandon Maiduguri – Damaturu road. There are reports that men of the Nigerian Army have abandoned the road since the state governor exposed the extortion going on in that axis. It will be recalled that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum last week cautioned soldiers against extorting motorists on the Maiduguri – Damaturu road.

The appeal was made in a statement circulated to pressmen on Tuesday, 21^st January, 2020 by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“Reports reaching our headquarters from our members in Borno State lend credence to the fear of Boko Haram returning to the roads to make life unbearable for road users. This is because soldiers have allegedly abandoned the check-points along the road. This is unethical, dangerous and counter-productive.

“While we appreciate the sacrifices being made day and night by soldiers, we find it necessary to affirm the need for soldiers to be professional in carrying out their duties. Under no circumstances should civilians be exposed to danger. These are the tax payers and revenue generators who make it possible for soldiers’ salaries to be paid and for military hardware to be purchased.

“We sincerely hope that Borno State is not one of the zones from where the military were asked to withdraw recently. We appeal to the Chief of Army Staff to ensure that the Maiduguri – Damaturu road is not abandoned. Though technically defeated, Boko Haram’s guerrilla tactics necessitate maintenance of military presence particularly on the state’s highways. It is not over until it is over.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

AMOTEKUN: WHO ORDERED REGISTRATION IN CHURCHES?

17^th January 2020

PRESS RELEASE:

AMOTEKUN: WHO ORDERED REGISTRATION IN CHURCHES?

Governors of the South West sub-region recently established a security outfit called ‘Amotekun’ (the leopard). However, an Islamic organization has raised the alarm over what it described as the attempt of the handlers of the new security outfit to accept birth certificates registered only in churches as one of the pre-requisites for eligibility for recruitment into the outfit.  

This was the view expressed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in a statement issued early on Friday, 17^th January, 2020.

“Let us make our stand on Amotekun clear from the beginning. MURIC is not allergic to any state or region taking steps aimed at rubber-cushioning the effect of the security challenges currently facing Nigeria. But the approach must be transparent, assuring and all-embracing. There must be evidence of good intention. The legitimacy or otherwise of Amotekun is not our focus. We leave that to the relevant federal authorities.

“We have no objection to Amotekun. But ‘good intention’ appears lacking in the preparations for it as a security unit that will complement the work of the conventional security agencies. It appears shrouded in secrecy while attempts are being made to marginalize Muslims in the recruitment exercise.

“Or how does one describe the social media advertisement in which applicants are being requested to bring birth certificates from the church. This is most outrageous. Amotekun has not started, but we are already seeing symptoms of Christianisation and Islamophobia. This does not look good enough. It is hard to believe but tell us sincerely: is this advertisement from the Amotekun handlers? Who ordered registration in churches and why?

“Are the job vacancies which Amotekun is certain to open meant for Christians only? Are the South West states declaring their state as Christian states? Are they joining Nyesome Wike of Rivers in a Christian enclave? Is Amotekun a secret Christian army? Only one out of the five governors in the region is a Muslim. Are the Christian governors ganging up to form a crusader militia?

“Why then must applicants bring birth certificates from churches? Are we sure that this will not be followed by a request for applicants to bring referral letters from pastors?  Handlers of Amotekun owe us an explanation. It is after the explanation that we will also declare our next line of action. But right now all we can say is that there are trepidations among Muslims in the region.

“While we await the response of the organisers, we remind them that no security arrangement can succeed in any society without the active support of the people. To get the support of Muslims in the region, we need assurances. The Muslims must be carried along while recruitments being made must not result in lopsided appointments. Both Christians and Muslims must be palpably visible as officers and other ranks. Nobody should tell us that there are no capable Muslims to join those handling the recruitment exercise. There are more than enough retired military and police officers who are Muslims.

“Apart from the issue of Christianisation of Amotekun, we are strongly of the opinion that the security outfit will perform better if it avoids stereotyping any particular people. Governors in the sub-region have the task of deradicalisation on their hands. Amotekun operatives must not be seen targeting non-indigenes of the area. Amotekun must not be turned into a tool of intimidation. Igbo, Itsekiri, Igbira, Hausa, Fulani, etc who reside in the sub-region must not be stigmatized in any form. The operatives must remember that the Yoruba are also spread all over Nigeria. They must not trigger any tit-for-tat scenario.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

HANAN BUHARI: WE STAND BY OUR STATEMENT - MURIC

16^th January 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

HANAN BUHARI: WE STAND BY OUR STATEMENT - MURIC

An Islamic human rights group has once again reaffirmed its support for the use of the presidential jet by Hanan Buhari, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement circulated on by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday, 16^th January, 2020, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) cemented its position.

MURIC wonders why Nigerians fail to appreciate the fact that the father of a Northern girl-child has not been given out in early marriage contrary to the common practice in the region but has been encouraged to pursue Western education. The group therefore accused critics of insincerity and ethnic bias.

The statement reads:

“A Tsunami of criticisms trailed our statement of Monday, 13^th January, 2019 in which we expressed solidarity with Hanan Buhari, one of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari. Though mainly motivated by political prejudice, the criticism cut across religions. Our organisation was taken to the cleaners simply because we refused to support wailers in bashing a honest man. But the point is that there is always two sides to a coin. Unfortunately wailers will not bother to look at the other side. Why must we all reason along one direction? We can take the bashing. We don’t mind so long as we are convinced that we are on the right path. Truth is constant.

“One particular aspect has jogged our mind again: the fact that Hanan Buhari is from a region which is considered to be conservative and educationally backward. This is a region where millions of male children roam the streets in almajiri fashion while parents keep the girl-child at home, marry them off at tender age and declare Western education as taboo.

“Those who are crying foul today are part of those shedding crocodile tears over the neglect of the girl-child. Well, something phenomenal happened in the Hanan Buhari narrative. A girl-child from this same conservative, education-shy region bagged a first class in a London university where education has genuine quality and first class actually means first class. Isn’t that alone worth celebrating? Isn’t that alone capable of inspiring other girls in the region?

“This was exactly what MURIC referred to when it said in its first statement that Hanan Buhari was an inspiration. We repeat it once again without any fear of contradiction that she is, indeed, an inspiration and a model. Nigerians from a section of the country have for long been lampooning Northerners for giving out their daughters in marriage at tender age. We now have a father who did not do that but took his time to allow his daughter to get the best education available. Lo and behold! Nigerians went for his jugular. Who did this to Nigeria? It is now clear that those making noise over early marriage and neglect of Western education in the North had never been sincere. They were more interested in deriding a whole region and reviling others in self-righteousness.

“Mischief led a section of the media to twist our statement by giving it a wrong caption in order to mislead the general public and also to cast aspersion on MURIC. The mischievous caption read, “MURIC Says Hanan Buhari is an Inspiration While Flying in Presidential Jet”. Of course that was far from our intention. We were called all sorts of unprintable names. That should not worry us anyway. Any organization or individual who wants to change society must be prepared to stomach criticism, both fair and unfair.

“We made it clear in our statement that the issue of the presidential jet was not major. We insisted that the lessons inherent in a president’s daughter studying photography and working so hard at her studies as to bag a first class degree was more important to us. We said it was capable of inspiring the youth, particularly girls in the region, to imbibe hard work. She was likely to create an indelible impression on the Northern girl-child. We said we were proud of Hanan. We still are till tomorrow. We stand by this statement. We have no apologies for that. No retreat, no surrender.

“Some even alleged that our statement was too pro-North and that our stand was capable of hurting the Yoruba agenda. We consider this as a gross misunderstanding of MURIC’s mission. The fact that our headquarters is in Lagos does not make us a Yoruba group. Far from that. We are a completely detribalised group. Our membership spreads to all tribes, including the South-East and the South-South. Our mission is to unite Nigeria. This is why we have consistently stood by the truth and the truth alone no matter whose ox is gored. We will not promote any sectional agenda.

“What manner of people are we in this country? We hail loafers and loath workers. We idolize thieves and demonise honest people. What crime has the president’s daughter committed? A young lady went for studies as the daughter of the Number One citizen in our land. She had all the reason in the world to indulge in self-glorification but she elected to work hard and she excelled. She came back with the highest laurel from a British university where you cannot buy grades with either your look or your cash. She came back home believing that she has neither disappointed her parents nor her compatriots. But we chose to pour invectives on her instead of encomiums. Who cursed Nigeria?

“Our message to Hanan is very simple: ignore the wailers. They are in the ‘bad belle’ camp. But they cannot undo what Allah has done. Continue to do your parents proud and stay focused. You are not alone. Millions of Nigerians North and South of the Niger are with you. Honest and hardworking Nigerians appreciate you. It is your moment of glory. Savour it. Glow and shine in its euphoria.

“We laid little emphasis on the presidential jet. People will continue to play politics with it and that is what has happened. What has Hanan’s father done wrong? Why wouldn’t the father be happy with a daughter who did him proud in a foreign land? We do not see why a biological daughter of the Nigerian president cannot, once in a while, have access to it for an important purpose like Hanan has done.

“The United States is a great democracy. Yet we have seen pictures of President Trump’s daughter, her husband and their little son as they boarded Air Force One for a trip. It is a pity that Nigeria’s democracy leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. We need to grow up. From the daughters of George Bush to those of Lincoln and Obama, White House kids had broken the rules. Ex-President Obama’s daughter, Malia, was filmed smoking pot. The Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara were drunkards. They were also caught using fake identity cards in 2001. Patty Davis was notorious for sexual recklessness bothering on nymphomania. Luci Johnson almost burnt down the White House.

“Compared to the White House daughters, Hanan is a pleasure to behold and a treasure to possess. Unfortunately Nigerians will not appreciate what they have in the daughter, just as they do not cherish the father who sits on their wealth and has refused to steal one kobo. When will Nigerians know the difference between pure gold and ordinary sand?

“To cap the edifice, we wish to correct the wrong impression created that we said Hanan flying in the presidential jet was an inspiration. What we actually said was that Hanan’s educational feat was an inspiration to the Northern girl-child and that there was nothing wrong with her using the jet for that particular assignment which we, in good conscience, cannot consider as private. We reaffirm our pride in Hanan and we concretise our faith and vote of confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari as an exemplary father and president of our great country, Nigeria.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

PRESIDENTIAL JET: HANAN BUHARI IS AN INSPIRATION

13^th January 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

PRESIDENTIAL JET: HANAN BUHARI IS AN INSPIRATION

Critics of President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday went hysterical over the use of the presidential jet by Hanan Buhari, the president's daughter. The latter had used the jet on her trip to Bauchi where she had been invited by the emir to showcase her talent in photography.

But a human rights organisation has defended the president's action. According to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), critics are just making a mountain out of a mole hill. This was revealed in a statement circulated to the media by the director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday 13th January, 2020. 

"An emirate has shown keen interest in the uncommon skill of the president's daughter. The emirate therefore invited her to demonstrate the skill at a public function. So how private is a private function? Those who described the occasion as personal to Hanan are petty, mean and most uncharitable. 

“How private is private? Are we saying that the traditional institution is inconsequential? What happened to our respect for our norms and values? Are we to assume that our system no longer recognises the traditional institution? If so, why do governors still appoint emirs, obis and obas? If the law of the land still recognises traditional rulers, Hanan’s invitation to Bauchi cannot be rightly described as a private affair.

"Besides, that function passed a strong message to Nigerian youths, especially the Nigerian girl-child. It poses a challenge to them to eschew laziness. More importantly, it underlines the significance and relevance of every aspect of human knowledge. This is a very important message wailers missed.

"An intelligent and objective observer will see beyond the use of a presidential jet. Well, only the deep can call to the deep. We all know that Nigerians will give their right eyes to secure admission for their children to read choice courses like medicine, law, accounting, banking and finance, etc. They pay little attention and give complex to those reading what they regard as ‘low profile’ courses like theater arts, education, religion, photography, etc.  

“Hanan Buhari has challenged the status quo. She read photography and made first class. We salute her. She has done the Nigerian girl-child proud. She elevated a ‘low profile’ course thus raising the spirit of those poor students reading similar courses. 

"We have chosen to address the tangential, not the peripheral. What's in a presidential jet when the dreams of thousands of Nigerian students have been rekindled? Hanan Buhari is saying, 'Stop looking down on those who read less glamorous courses. Stop despising artists. They are the gem of the collection'. Therefore, Hanan Buhari symbolises courage, hope and success. Instead of criminalising her action, wailers should realise that she has elected to inspire Nigerian youths to be hopeful and hardworking.

“Besides, President Buhari should not be guillotined for permitting her daughter's use of the jet. Afterall, it was not for any frivolous jamboree like shopping in Dubai. We may want to ignore the excesses of past landlords of Aso Rock to justify PMB's action. But it is on record that some first ladies actually excelled Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI in extravagance. Whereas PMB exhibited prudence each time he attended the United Nations' events, we know those who went with about 150 in tow, brandishing pomp and pageantry on the streets of Washingon DC to the consternation of other delegates. We know past presidents who gave out presidential jets to their cronies and praise-singers, their aourt jesters and bootlickers. But we will not descent to that petty level.

“It amounts to overzealouness on the part of critics to grab every little straw and make mountains out of mole hills. They are simply trying to draw the attention of Nigerians away from PMB's monumental achievements simply because they were merely looking for the president's faults.

“We appeal to politicians to change from politics of negativity, retardation and destruction to positivism, patriotism and constructive engagement. It is not everything that political opponents do that we must sensationalise and demonise. It raises true democrats above the herd to appreciate good things in the opponent.

"As we drop the anchor, we appeal to Nigerians to ignore the razzmatazz in the presidential jet furore. Rather, attention should be given to the lessons inherent in Hanan Buhari's outing. We call on Nigerian youth to see light at the end of the tunnel. There is a bright future for those who face their studies and vocations no matter what field. Politicians should desist from politics of negativism."

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC KICKS AS ONDO GOVT COMMANDEERS MUSLIM SCHOOL

7^th January 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC KICKS AS ONDO GOVT COMMANDEERS MUSLIM SCHOOL

The governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, has commandeered the only Islamic school in Oke-Agbe, Akoko in Ondo State. The Muslim community has cried foul and complained of threat to their lives and harassment by Christians in the town. An attempted peaceful demonstration by the Muslims was also foiled by heavily armed policemen drafted to the town yesterday, Monday, 6^th January, 2020.           

This was disclosed by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in a press statement issued on Tuesday, 7^th January, 2020. In the statement issued by the director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the human rights organization described the action of the Ondo State government as arbitrary, intolerant and provocative.

The statement reads:

“MURIC received an S.O.S. from the Muslim community of Oke-Agbe Akoko yesterday. The whole town was taken over by heavily armed policemen. Properties belonging to the Ansar-Ud-Deen (AUD) Primary School were forcefully packed out of the school. We strongly condemn this action. It is arbitrary, intolerant and provocative.

“A letter dated 16^th December, 2019 was received by the school a few days ago. The letter with reference SUBEB/PRS/766 was addressed to the headmaster of the school. The letter under the heading ‘Re: Request For Transfer of Oke-Agbe Mega Primary School to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko’ reads inter alia:

“Following the directives given by Mr. Governor that the school, A.U.D. Mega Primary School, Oke-Agbe, should be handed over to Adekunle Ajasin University, the Education Secretary is hereby directed to: The pupils of AUD Mega Primary School, Oke-Agbe will be relocated to St. Georges Primary School, Oke-Agbe, pending the time a permanent place is given to the school by the community. The board will thereafter construct new classroom building for the school. The Acting Education Secretary should liaise with the three communities (Oyin, Oke-Agbe and Afin) to get a suitable land to site the school (AUD Mega Primary School, Oke-Agbe).

“This letter depicts Islamophobia and tyranny. It is a manifestation of totalitarian dictatorship. There are five primary schools within the town: St Georges, Catholic, Local Authority (L. A.), Christ Apostolic Church (C. A. C) Orimolade and Ansarud-Deen (A.U.D). Why didn’t the state government pick any of those four? Why must it be the only Islamic school in the vicinity that Akeredolu will take over? Afterall that land belongs to the Ansar-Ud-Deen. It is unfair to just seize it like that.

“It is a grand plan to uproot AUD Primary School, Oke-Agbo Akoko. This is a school founded since 1975. It is also an attempt to intimidate the Ondo State branch of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society and an undisguised attempt to embarrass the organization at the national level. This is unacceptable. Akeredolu’s action runs counter to civilized norms and the principles of dialogue and religious tolerance.

“By the way, was the Ansar-Ud-Deen consulted? Akeredolu cannot pretend that he does not know about the Ansar-Ud-Deen and its educational activities in Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria as a whole. It is administrative ineptitude to have failed to consult the original owners of the school. It is true that the past administration of Olusegun Mimiko had rebuilt the school but that was done in the spirit of public service. At least eighteen other schools were also rebuilt at the same time and they all retained their original names. So what is the big deal? Islam is simply being victimized by the Akeredolu administration.

Where is Donald Trump? Where are the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)? These are people who always make false claims that it is Christians who are being persecuted in Nigeria. Here is another palpable and indubitable evidence of the persecution of Muslims by a Christian governor.

“It is noteworthy that the state government has no land ready for the Ansar-Ud-Deen school it is evicting. The government is leaving that issue to three distant and unfriendly communities to decide the fate of an Islamic school. These are the same communities who have been threatening Muslims in their domain? Akeredolu is deceiving us.

“This move is part of a grand plan to eliminate Islam and Islamic education from Ondo State. Otherwise why move pupils of a Muslim school to a Christian school? Can Akeredolu claim ignorance of the ideological differences? Can he assure us that those Muslim pupils will continue to enjoy their religious freedom? Will St. George allow those Muslim children to observe Salat within its premises? Will the headmaster of St. George school allow the female Muslim children to use hijab? How will the morning assembly be conducted: in Christian fashion or in Islamic pattern? Hasn’t the governor himself ignited bitter religious rivalry between Christian and Muslim children and even the teachers? Is this not another attempt to subject Muslim children to Christian domination and way of life?

“Already, there has been a potent threat against Islam and Muslims in Oke-Agbe Akoko for some time now. In fact, it was the intervention of the security agencies that foiled the planned attack on Muslims at the Id praying ground after the 2017 Ramadan. Muslims in the city have been living in fear since then. They complain of intimidation and harassment and this has led to the conversion of many of them to Christianity, including a biological son of the Imam.

“Here lies another concrete example of the persecution of Muslims in the South West. Those who claim that Yoruba Christians and Muslims enjoy cordial relations need to take a second look at the real situation in Yorubaland. The so called religious tolerance in Yorubaland exists only among members of the same family who belong to different faiths, tenants living in the same house who practice different faith and people working in the same establishment. No more, no less.

“Religious tolerance in Yorubaland exists only at micro level. It is a horse of another colour at the macro. A Muslim is welcome as a person among members of his family, in the house where he lives and in his workplace. But not his religion, not Islam. Non-Muslims in Yorubaland abhor Islam as an institution. We can authoritatively affirm that many Yoruba critics and writers refer to Muslim activists as agents of the caliphate and treat them like lepers. That is the bitter truth.

“There is no tolerance for the religion of Islam in Yorubaland. That is why it is only in Yorubaland that the use of hijab in schools is disallowed. That is why a socio-cultural organization like Afenifere arrogates to itself the role of protecting the interest of Christianity and opposing anything that dons the toga of Islam. That is why some governors demolish mosques at will (or threaten to demolish them). That is why Islamic schools like the Ansar-Ud-Deen school, Oke Agbo Akoko has been commandeered. Religious tolerance in Yorubaland is therefore a myth, peaceful coexistence is a mirage and the principle of live and let live is a phantom.

“Akeredolu has elected to uproot Islam in Akokoland by using a popular neo-imperialist gimmick called ‘elimination by substitution’. It is a wicked concoction from the bottom of hell. How can you take over a primary school building for a university faculty? How can you advance the cause of education by destroying its root? Can you climb a tree from the top? Must primary schools be dislocated just to locate the faculty of a university? What kind of logic is that? Who did this to Ondo State? What is Akeredolu doing in the state house if he cannot protect primary education? Akeredolu has abdicated his responsibility to the citizens of Ondo State.

“Leaders of the Ansar-Ud-Deen in Oke Agbo Akoko had assured the state government that they are not opposed to educational advancement but Akeredolu will not listen. They suggested that since their school compound is very big and since it has 21 classrooms, the state government should demarcate their compound. They said they were ready to concede as much as 15 classrooms to the university project while they continue to manage six (6) only. Yet Akeredolu turned deaf ears. It is curious that the state government has rejected this noble idea. It insists on ejecting the Ansar-Ud-Deen from the premises. This is mean, callous and belligerent. The buck stops on Akeredolu’s table.

“We assure Governor Akeredolu that Nigerians are watching, in particular, the Nigerian Muslim community is keenly watching Akeredolu’s overzealous and fanatical desire to inflict pain on Muslims in Ondo State. Akeredolu has killed tolerance. He should not preach the gospel of ‘being our brothers’ keepers’ to us no more. We reject the eviction of Ansar-Ud-Deen School from its original location. The government of Ondo State should look for another location for the faculty.  

“Before we turn off the ignition key, we call on Nigerians to hold Governor Akeredolu responsible for anything that happens to the Muslims in Oke Agbo Akoko in particular and Ondo State in general. We urge the Commissioner of Police and the heads of other security agencies in the state to give adequate protection to all Muslims in Ondo State, both indigenes and non-indigenes, as we have no confidence in the interest of the state governor to protect the lives and properties of anyone who is not a Christian in his state.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

GIVE MUSLIMS THEIR OWN 1ST JANUARY

3^rd January 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

GIVE MUSLIMS THEIR OWN 1^ST JANUARY

As Nigerian Christians joined their counterparts throughout the world to celebrate the New Year on Wednesday, 1^st January, 2020, an Islamic human rights organization has alleged lopsidedness, partiality and persecution of Muslims in the manner the Nigerian government dishes out its holidays.

Rising from an emergency meeting where it deliberated on the latest allegation of persecution by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has insisted that the last public holiday which was declared by the Federal Government on 1^st January, 2020, has exposed CAN as a body which enjoys shedding crocodile tears. This was contained in a press statement circulated on Friday, 3^rd January, 2020, by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

MURIC said in the statement, “CAN claims it is being persecuted but fails to substantiate its allegation in concrete terms. However, the last holiday of Wednesday, 1^st January, 2020 which is an annual event has exposed CAN. Nigerian Christians enjoy the New Year holiday on the 1^st of January every year even without asking for it because that was the arrangement made by the British colonial master. But CAN still claims ‘persecution’ even though it is placed at an advantaged position.

“Nigerian Christians have 1^st January to enjoy their first day of the year. Nobody can deny that this happened two days ago. But when the Muslims’ first day of the year comes (1^st Muharram), there will be no holiday. When will CAN put itself in the Muslims’ shoes? Or rather when, indeed, will the Nigerian government give the Muslims what the colonial master denied them but gave the Christians? When will the Muslims get justice in this country? Here is persecution of Muslims that even CAN cannot deny. It happened just two days ago and we all saw it? Or is the granting of holiday for a Christian occasion and the denial of same to Muslims another form of persecution of CAN?

“Christians have five out of the eight holidays enjoyed by Nigerians. Muslims have three only. Yet CAN claims persecution. Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year Day, Easter Monday and Good Friday are all for Christians. We dare CAN to deny it. Are these not concrete priviledges enjoyed by Christians? Are the five holidays we mention here mere fallacies? Muslims only have three, namely, Id al-Kabiir, Id al-Fitr and Maulud an-Nabiyy. Is there any mathematical inexactitude in our calculation? Should CAN be complaining at all with this kind of setting?  

“We make bold to say that CAN knows what it is doing. The Christian body knows that it has an edge over the Muslims as it enjoys everything it needs and even more. CAN knows that it is the Muslims who are denied certain fundamental human rights but it is determined to maintain the status quo.  The modus operandi adopted by CAN to ensure that Muslims never get their rights is to perpetually cry out with claims of persecution and also to oppose every attempt to give Muslims their rights.   

“This game played itself out when Shariah was introduced in some Northern states from 1979 onwards. They claimed it was an attempt to Islamise Nigeria. Shariah was introduced and nobody changed the country’s nomenclature to ‘Islamic Republic of Nigeria’. CAN did the same thing when Islamic banking was about to be introduced. Cries of Islamisation rented the air. Islamic banking arrived but we are yet to see how it has Islamised anyone. This was repeated on the issue of sukuk (Islamic bonds) and both Christians and Muslims are benefiting from the Islamic sukuk today.

“MURIC will not be deterred from pursuing Islamic liberation theology to a logical conclusion in Nigeria. We assert clearly, categorically and unequivocally that Muslims are in bondage in this country. Why should one group get all the honey in the land while the other is ignored? We demand equal rights and justice. We demand parity, particularly on the issue of holidays. Christian 1^st January is just 24 hours and the Muslim 1^st Muharram is no less. Why should the Federal Government recognize one and deny the other?

“Just two days ago, we joined other Nigerians in sending goodwill messages to our Christian neighbours. Governments at federal and state levels felicitated with Nigerians on that occasion. Parastatals and important dignitaries also congratulated Nigerians. MURIC also issued a statement greeting Christians in Nigeria. We do this every year despite the fact that our own 1^st Muharram is not recognized. But nobody will remember Muslims on 1^st Muharram. Is this fair?

“‘When beggars die, there are no comets seen. The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes…’ William Shakespeare was right when he put those words on the lips of Calpunia, the wife of Julius Caeser as she begged her husband not to venture out on the ides of March. Isn’t this very germane to the issue on ground? The drums are rolled out by government on 1^st January. But they are conspiratorially silent on 1^st Muharram. Is this justice? Are we really working for enduring peace in this country? What have the Muslims done to deserve this treatment?

“It is important to note that even the three holidays enjoyed by Muslims were reluctantly given after several years of post-independence. There were no holidays for Islamic festivals in colonial days. It was that bad.

“To add salt to injury, the Federal Government has never responded in spite of a deluge of petitions received from Muslims. MURIC has been demanding 1^st Muharram holiday since its formation in 1994 (26 years). It is highly provocative. It is dereliction of duty on the part of government. A father who gives preferential treatment to its children is not uniting the family. Is government waiting until the demand snowballs into another struggle? MURIC will not partake in that. But what does it cost government to take a bold stand on this matter? It is not about the Buhari government per se. Successive administrations have failed to address the issue.   

“Already, some state governments have recognized 1^st Muharram, mostly from the North. Osun under Rauf Aregbesola (current Minister of Internal Affairs) and Oyo under Isiaka Ajimobi also did and heaven did not fall. So what stops the Federal Government from taking the cue? By the way, Muslims in those two states of the South West have written the names of those two former governors in letters of gold.

“The question now is: how does President Muhammadu Buhari want to be remembered by Nigerian Muslims? Can the declaration of 1^st Muharram as a public holiday be a drift towards Islamisation? Predictably, yes, particularly by CAN. But we can take the wind out of their sail by placing 1^st January and 1^st Muharram parri passu. The public no longer takes CAN serious anyway.

“MURIC wishes to put the Federal Government on notice. The next 1^st Muharram will fall on Thursday, 20^th August, 2020. The government has a whole eight months to plan and prepare its mind. It also has an extra three days in the third week in August to declare Thursday a holiday in recognition of 1^st Muharram. To be or not to be? That is the question. MURIC does not issue ultimatum. Neither is threat in our character. We are a dialogue-loving body. But the government’s body language will tell Nigerian Muslims what to do and whoever thinks the Muslims of Nigeria are still the same as they were five years ago will be making a gross miscalculation.

“As we sign out, we remind the Federal Government that it is high time it listened to the Muslims’ demand for the declaration of 1^st Muharram as a public holiday in parity with 1^st January public holiday. CAN has no moral right to claim persecution as Nigerian Christians enjoy five holidays while their Muslim counterparts have three only. FG should promote unity and patriotism by treating all equally. Neither should government allow one group to lord it over the other.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)