EASTER MESSAGE: LET’S UNITE AGAINST OUR COMMON ENEMIES – MURIC

13^th April, 2020

               

EASTER MESSAGE:

LET’S UNITE AGAINST OUR COMMON ENEMIES – MURIC  

As Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Nigerian Christians to forge a common front with their Muslim compatriots in the fight against disease, insecurity, illiteracy, ethnic bigotry and religious extremism which are the common enemies of humanity.

This was stated by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director and Founder of MURIC in the group’s Easter message dispatched on Monday, 13^th April 2020. 

“We felicitate with Nigerian Christians on the occasion of the Easter season. We urge the body of Christ in Nigeria to recall the lessons of forbearance, tolerance and love which are embedded in Easter.

“Today’s events are particularly didactic as the whole of mankind faces a common enemy, viz, COVID-19. All the scientists of the world have not been able to come up with a solution to stop the massive deaths. It has defied our atomic and nuclear weapons, killing us in our thousands on a daily basis.

“This common enemy has shown that it does not discriminate between religions. Muslims have been forced to desert the mosques on Friday. The Ka’abah has been locked up for weeks. Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) was suspended. Like the sword of Damocles, the fear of this same Corona virus hangs above hajj 2020. Muslims may not congregate as usual during this fast-approaching Ramadan.

“For the first time in a very long period, Christians marked Easter without procession. Palm Sunday was streamed live and people had to watch and listen from their homes. Sunday services in church have been without the faithful for weeks.

“Can we now see clearly that we have been insulating ourselves against the wrong targets? The streets of the Vatican are empty, those of Makkah and Madinah are deserted. COVID-19 reigns supreme. Can we all see now? Diseases are our enemy, not the Christians or the Muslims. Ignorance, criminals, ethnic jingoists and religious fanatics are our common foes. These are the enemies we must fight, not one another.  

“MURIC charges Nigerians of different religious leanings to eschew bitterness and rancor. We urge religious leaders to sink their differences. We must come together willy-nilly in recognition of the fact that we need one another to face our common enemies, namely, disease, insecurity, illiteracy, ethnic bigotry and religious extremism.

“Before we take a break, we call attention to the way forward. We must investigate genuine complaints of marginalization, stigmatization, oppression and persecution with every sincerity. Thereafter, we must redress all wrongs and resolve to deal justly among ourselves, to love, to tolerate and to forgive ourselves. Only thus can we jointly find the means to fight and defeat our real enemies. COVID-19 is winning because the house built by homo sapiens is divided against itself. Let’s unite against our common enemies.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON: INCLUDE 54 SOLDIERS AMONG BENEFICIARIES – MURIC

10^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON: INCLUDE 54 SOLDIERS AMONG BENEFICIARIES – MURIC

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday Thursday, 9^th April, 2020, ordered the release of 2,600 inmates of Nigeria’s correctional centres. This move has already been hailed by an Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). The commendation came on Friday, 10^th April, 2020 in a press release issued by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola who described the president’s action as timely and humane.

However, MURIC reminded those who are to implement the presidential pardon to include the 54 soldiers of the Nigerian Army who are currently serving a 10-year jail term for requesting for better weapons to fight Boko Haram.

“Some of the 54 soldiers are in Kirikiri and Ikoyi correctional centres. We urge the presidential team to visit those places. The war against terror will remain shady until the authorities give justice its prime of place. Funds meant for the purchase of weapons were being diverted to private pockets while our soldiers were stinted of vital equipment. Nobody knew about this fraud until the 54 soldiers cried out. It led to the exposure of the $2.1 billion armsgate. But instead of hailing the 54 soldiers as heroes of the land, they were clamped in jail. We hereby appeal to the committee handling the implementation of the presidential amnesty to consider them.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

RIGHT OF REPLY: MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS: MURIC TELLS CRA

4^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

RIGHT OF REPLY:

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS: MURIC TELLS CRA

The Christian Rights Agenda (CRA) yesterday challenged the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) to emulate Christian organisations which have donated cash and materials towards the fight against the spread of COVID-19. But MURIC has reacted by accusing CRA of seeking relevance and meddling in the affairs of Muslims.      

MURIC’s reaction was contained in a press statement signed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, director of the Islamic human rights organization, on Saturday, 4^th April, 2020.

“The Christian Rights Agenda (CRA) has overstepped its bounds. It has no business prying into what Islamic organisations are doing about COVID-19. Cook your own soup. Let us cook whatever we have capacity for. Why peep into your neighbour’s kitchen or asking what he is cooking? Peeping Toms hardly have good intentions. CRA’s reference to what Islamic organisations are doing on COVID-19 smirks of self-righteousness.

“It is clear from all indications that CRA is seeking relevance. Ordinarily, we would not have dignified it with a response because Proverbs 26:4 says, 'Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him’. But again Proverbs 26:5 avers, 'Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.'

“How dare CRA ask Islamic organisations to emulate Christian groups? There is nothing for us to emulate in Christian organisations. Don’t insult us. Our ways are different. Islamic organisations do not make noise with their gestures of kindness. Neither are we in the tithe league, the prosperity gospel camp or the fake miracles confederation.

“Every Islamic group has been on its toes helping the government as well as individuals since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) has mobilized wealthy Muslims in the country and many of them have responded to government’s request for support from the private sector. They have also donated various sums of money to Islamic groups to share among the underpriviledged. We are aware of similar activities being embarked upon by other Islamic groups like the Companion, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), etc.

“On our part and unknown to many, MURIC has mobilized its members and encouraged them to donate generously in order to assist vulnerable members of the society in particular and those affected by the lockdown in general. We tagged the operation MURIC COVID-19 Relief Fund. There has been good response and the proceeds have been shared to various states in the country through the chairmen of MURIC branches in those states (Kaduna, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, etc).

“Amounts donated are being announced on a daily basis and those chairmen have also been reporting back to the groups for transparency and accountability. The exercise is a continuous one and the campaign is being pursued on MURIC’s social media platforms (23 whatshap groups, facebook, linkedin, etc). The press has not been brought in because it is not necessary to make noise about our humanitarian pursuits. It is meant for the needy in society in general. It is not a jamboree. The world is facing a huge humanitarian calamity and we are expressing solidarity by giving out to victims. How does that call for a circus show?

“CRA’s unsolicited inquiry is therefore audacious, loquacious and repugnant. Paddle your own canoe, let us paddle our own boat. This interference is aimed at scoring a cheap evangelical point but it has failed. These are people who look down on Muslims. There is no cause for comparison between you and us. We do not preach prosperity. We fly no jets. MURIC is not a business concern. We are a human rights ‘concern’ group. Leave us out of your comparison parameter.

“CRA’s statement asking what Islamic organisations are contributing to the fight against the spread of corona virus came at the wrong time. We call the attention of Nigerians to our neighbour’s attitude. We want Nigerians to compare the statement of CRA to the one issued by MURIC last week, dated 27^th March, 2020 and entitled ‘Corona Virus: Time To Come Together’ (https://www.herald.ng/coronavirus-time-to-come-together-muric/ https://emporiumreporters.com.ng/covid-19-time-to-come-together-muric/ http://muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com/2020/03/corona-virus-time-to-come-together.html; https://www.muricnigeria.com/corona-virus-time-come-together/ ).

“In that statement, we called for unity among the various religious leaders in the country. We said it was time for all of us to come together. We spoke about the need for us to think first of humanity and not about Islam or Christianity. We laid emphasis on the fact that Corona virus does not discriminate between a Muslim and a Christian, a black man or a white.

“Anybody can see now who is being combatant. Let the records speak for themselves. CRA’s statement is tainted with pride and arrogance. It must be made clear that no Islamic organization is responsible to CRA or any Christian group for that matter. So why are you issuing us a quarry? Who made you Corona Virus police? You cannot teach us what to do. Mind your own business.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: MURIC COMMENDS HEALTH WORKERS

3^rd April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: MURIC COMMENDS HEALTH WORKERS

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended Nigeria’s health workers for their sacrifice, courage and professionalism in the wake of the novel COVID-19. The Islamic human rights advocacy group made this known in a press statement issued on Friday by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We appreciate the role of Nigeria’s health workers in the battle against COVID-19. We commend them for their sacrifice, courage and professionalism. They put their lives on the line to save the rest of us. They are always out there staring death in the face, daring corona virus, so that Nigeria can defeat the dreaded virus. We doff our hats to them.

“Often times they fall victims of the same virus which they are trying to protect Nigerians from. In this regard, we congratulate Professor Jesse Otegbayo, the Chief Medical Director at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, who tested positive for the virus a week ago but became negative yesterday. In the same vein, we pay tribute to the medical doctor and two nurses who contracted the virus from a patient who was rushed to an Abuja hospital a few weeks ago. We wish them full and speedy recovery.

“By the same token, we hail the Lagos state medical team handling the treatment of people infected by COVID-19 for the successes recorded so far in the treatment of infected persons since the outbreak of the dreaded disease. It is on record that apart from the six that were declared free of the virus last week, eleven (11) others were yesterday discharged from the Yaba facility. The Lagos State Government deserves a medal for this feat.

“MURIC calls for a special package for health workers involved in the fight against COVID-19. They are the heroes of the time and they should not make all these sacrifices for nothing. Both the federal and state governments should show appreciation for their performance. It should not just be about civil service rules. This is about life and death and a class of people taking all the risks to make others safe. They need motivation in order to register government’s goodwill.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC BLASTS MUSLIMS WHO DARED COVID-19

31^st March, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC BLASTS MUSLIMS WHO DARED COVID-19

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned Muslim groups who defied government’s directives and admonitions from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) concerning social distancing until COVID-19 comes to an end. This was sequel to reports of lack of compliance in some parts of the country, particularly in Kusada, Katsina State, Kaduna and Abeokuta, Ogun State.  

A statement circulated to the media by the director of the human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the action as grossly irresponsible, highly despicable and certainly unIslamic. The statement was dated Monday, 31^st March, 2020.  

“We have received reports that on Friday, 28^th March, 2020, Muslims observed Jumu’ah prayer in large numbers in three places around the country: Kusada, Kusada Local Government of Katsina State, Kaduna in Kaduna State and in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“In the Kusada episode, the Imam who led the prayer, Mallam Hassan, was arrested. This sparked a riot the next day. One person was killed. Kusada police station was burnt down and the official quarters of the Divisional Police Officer was razed down along with seven vehicles and ten motorcycles (https://www.kanyidaily.com/2020/03/coronavirus-muslim-youths-burn-police-station-in-katsina-for-stopping-their-prayer.html). We strongly condemn this act of brigandage and we demand that the leaders of the uprising be brought to book. Islam is about justice. People should be held accountable for their actions otherwise there will be no peace in the society.

“In Kaduna, two Imams were arrested for flouting the state’s public health preventive measures. Mallam Aminu Umar Usman and Mallam Umar Shangel led Jumu‘ah prayers in Malali and Ungwan Kanawa in Kaduna North Local Government Area (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/03/covid-19-el-rufai-arrests-2-imams-for-conducting-jumaat-prayers/).

“In Abeokuta, Ogun State, a mosque belonging to the National Joint Muslim Organisations (NAJOMO) situated at Car Wash, Adatan, was raided by security agents for conducting Jumu’ah prayer last Friday. Although the Imam, Barrister Moshood Taiwo, was not detained, the jumu’ah prayer was disrupted.

“We strongly condemn the actions of these groups. Their actions are grossly irresponsible, highly reprehensible and certainly unIslamic. It is a manifestation of acrobatic religiousity, gymnastic spirituality, articulated piety and tramadolised God-consciousness. These groups are misled. They are simply giving credence to the words of Karl Marx who described religion as the opium of the people. But it can only be so among those who fail to follow the true tenets of Islam.

“Our reaction is based on the fact that those Muslims cannot claim to be unaware of the massive information outlets used by the various state governments to sensitize the citizens on the danger in crowding during this COVID-19 pandemic.

“Worse still, their action showed gross disobedience, recalcitrance, rebellion and irredentism in the face of the declaration of the NSCIA which is the recognized umbrella organization for all Islamic groups in the country. We are particularly disappointed by the attitude of the NAJOMO group in Ogun State because NAJOMO was founded by Late Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite who was the former secretary general of the NSCIA.

“The energetic and dynamic former secretary general demonstrated total commitment to the unity of all Nigerian Muslims. It is a disservice to the memory of the late NSCIA scribe for NAJOMO group to disobey NSCIA’s assembly advisory. We advise the group to apologise to the Ogun State branch of the NSCIA for embarrassing the state’s Muslim Ummah and the entire Muslim community of Nigeria.

“In the same vein, the Muslim dissident groups in Katsina, Kaduna and Ogun states should apologise to their respective state governors for endangering the lives of residents of the state through their effrontery in organizing jumu’ah prayers which is capable of aiding the spread of the dreaded Corona virus. In addition, the three Imams should submit themselves for testing. The state governments should test them to know their COVID-19 status as soon as possible. If any of them tests positive, all those who prayed behind them should be traced and quarantined with members of their families in order to curtail further spread. Unless this is done, Nigeria is still playing Jekyll and Hyde with COVID-19 pandemic.

“MURIC will stand by the course of justice without bias or sentiment. We will not condone extremism. Neither shall we pat Muslims who do wrong on the back. We will defend Muslims against stigmatization, oppression and persecution, but we will not support Muslims who do wrong.

“Our stand is based on the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in which he said, ‘Help your brother whether he is the oppressor or he is the oppressed. The Prophet was asked, ‘But how can we help him when he is the wrong-doer?’ He replied, ‘Hold his hand (to prevent him from committing wrong).’ Therefore, we have a duty to discourage fellow Muslims from doing wrong and we will not abdicate this responsibility. If we make noise when non-Muslims wrong us, we must not keep quiet when fellow Muslims wrong the rest of society. That, to us, is justice and fairplay.

“We must admit that government has been fair to all in this matter. Mosques are not the only target. Security agents stormed churches in Ogun State last Sunday 22^nd March, 2020 (https://thenationonlineng.net/police-storms-churches-in-ogun-disperse-worshippers/). If any Muslim complains that Imams are being arrested, he should be reminded that pastors have also been arrested for holding church services during this Corona virus crisis.

“Police last week invaded the Apostolic Faith Church in Shagamu, Ogun State and arrested the pastor (https://www.today.ng/coronavirus/police-storm-ogun-church-defying-restriction-order-287273). Pastor U Uden, overseer of the Apo-based Jesus Reigns Family Church was also arrested in Abuja for conducting church service on Sunday, 29^th March, 2020 (https://punchng.com/covid-19-abuja-pastor-arrested-for-holding-sunday-service/).

“To cut a long story short, we denounce the defiance of government’s no- assemblies directive by some mosques and commend the large majority of Imams who complied with the instruction. We affirm that MURIC will not compromise Islamic ethical standards. We urge erring Imams to retrace their steps and apologise to the authorities.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC SUPPORTS BUHARI’S BAN ON MOVEMENT

30^th March, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC SUPPORTS BUHARI’S BAN ON MOVEMENT

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind the ban on movement in Abuja FCT, Lagos and Ogun states. President Muhammadu Buhari in a nationwide broadcast yesterday ordered residents of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states to stay at home for fourteen days from Monday 30^th March, 2020. While some Nigerians have criticized the directive, MURIC has described it as the wisest decision in the present circumstances.

“Restriction of movement in Abuja FCT, Lagos and Ogun has become sine qua non in the battle against further spread of Covid-19. The president made the wisest decision in the present circumstances. We wonder what those who criticized the announcement really want for Nigeria. These are the same people who claimed that the president had been infected with the Corona virus and challenged him to show his face. They demanded action but when action was eventually taken, they have taken offence again. We urge Nigerians to ignore hypocrites and parasites whose pathological hatred for Buhari and what he stands for have beclouded their sense of judgement.   

“The death toll in Italy for yesterday alone rose to 890 because the citizens did not take stay-at-home advice seriously when they were told to do so. Corona virus cases in Italy was only 21 by 21^st February, 2020. But it rose sharply to 86,498 on 27^th March, 2020. It could not have become so bad if they had hearkened to advice.

“It is the same story for many other countries currently facing shocking rise in corona tolls. America had just 16 cases of corona by 21^st February but it rose to 100,037 by 27^th March. From 18 cases on 26^th February, France rose to 32,964 on 27^th March. Within the same period, Spain skyrocketed from 25 cases to 64,059 while Iran snowballed from 5 cases to 32,332.

“These are advanced countries with state of the art medical facilities. What chance do we have? Is there still any Nigerian who doubts the capacity of the average Nigerian to tow the path of indiscipline without enforcement? We know ourselves. It is only those who want to see more bodybags on the streets who are trying to mislead the public. Therefore, this ban is in order.

“MURIC advises residents of Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states to comply with the restriction. It is only for a limited period of two weeks and it is all in our own interest. In addition, we urge people in other states to self-isolate and resist the urge to mingle. Avoid social events and meetings. Postpone earlier schedules and appointments. What is important for now is your life. Keep a safe distance of at least one meter (3 feet) from one another, wash your hands frequently and obey other instructions from health officials and the authorities.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CORONA VIRUS: PRAY FOR ABBA KYARI, EL-RUFAI

29^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

CORONA VIRUS: PRAY FOR ABBA KYARI, EL-RUFAI

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Nigerians to pray for Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Buhari and the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. It will be recalled that Abba Kyari reportedly tested positive to the novel corona virus two days ago while Mallam El-Rufai announced his status yesterday evening.

The appeal was contained in a statement distributed to the media on Sunday, 29^th March, 2020 by Professor Ishaq Akintola, director of the human rights organization.    

MURIC said, “Both Abba Kyari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai deserve prayers from Nigerians. They are both tested and trusted. Both of them are the embodiments of loyalty, trust, dedication and service to humanity. Abba Kyari has served Nigeria with all his strength. He proved a most loyal and dedicated aide to President Muhammadu Buhari particularly during the latter’s prolonged illness. El-Rufai has exhibited exemplary leadership, uncommon courage and immense love for the citizens of Kaduna State.

“We call on Nigerians to pray for their quick recovery. Let us remember them in our supplications every hour of the day. To the duo of Abba Kyari and El-Rufai, we say, ‘Though you are in isolation we are with you in spirit. You are not alone. The good people of Kaduna and Nigerians in general are with you. We are confident that Almighty Allah, the great healer, will heal you and you will emerge from isolation to continue your good work.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)