MURIC CONSOLES HON. ABDUL LATEEF ABDUL HAKEEM

15^th May, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONSOLES HON. ABDUL LATEEF ABDUL HAKEEM

The mother of the immediate past Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State, Hon. Dr. Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem, has passed away. Alhaja Risikat Balogun answered the call of Allah yesterday, Thursday, 14^th May, 2020 after a prolonged illness which was not related to any infectious disease. She was survived by seven children.    

Meanwhile an Islamic human rights association, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has sent a condolence message to the family of the deceased. In a press statement signed by the Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, 15^th May, 2020, MURIC described the deceased as a devoted Muslim and an exemplary Muslim mother.

“Alhaja Risikat Balogun was a devoted Muslim and an exemplary Muslim mother. Islam and service to Allah was Alhaja’s main focus while she was alive. She was gentle, loving and caring. A mother in a million, she mentored her children along the path of Islam, piety and dignity and made several sacrifices to ensure that they succeed in life.

“Alhaja Risikat Balogun lived a fulfilled life. Her first child, Hon. Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem, is an erudite Islamic scholar, popular preacher, televangelist and the Chief Imam of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He also holds a doctorate degree in law from the University of Lagos.  Few Nigerians can return to the pulpit after a long sojourn in the murky waters of politics but he did.

“One of his siblings, Dr. Idris, is also a medical doctor. The remaining five children who are females, Bidemi, Nafisat, Aminat, Muhibat and Ajoke are also successful in life. For a woman survived by seven children, Alhaja Risikat Balogun’s life can only be described as a huge success.

“MURIC consoles the family as a whole. We urge friends and members of the family to find solace in the tenets of Islam concerning the inevitability of death and source for strength in the depth of faith. We pray that Allah in His Infinite Mercy will also make her Hereafter a bigger success story by reposing her soul in the highest pedestal of Al-Jannah firdaus.

“Before we draw the curtain, we must commend Hon. Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem for leading by example, particularly for resisting the temptation to draw a mammoth crowd to his mother’s burial ceremony thereby exposing innocent people to the ravaging COVID-19. His facebook message spoke volumes. He said, ‘It is my turn to grieve! My darling mum has just died. Inna lilahi wa inna ilaehi rajiun. Please pray for her in your places. DO NOT COME FOR HER BURIAL. LET US COMPLY WITH GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVES! She lived well and died well. May Allah forgive her shortcomings and grant her Al jannah fridaus. Aamin.’”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: JOIN HUMANITY IN PRAYER & FASTING - MURIC

12^th May, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: JOIN HUMANITY IN PRAYER & FASTING - MURIC

As part of its efforts to realize the objectives of the Document on Human Fraternity, the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity has announced that Thursday May 14th, 2020, should be observed as a day for fasting, prayers, and supplications to overcome COVID-19 and for the good of all humanity.      

“In response to this call, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Nigerians from all walks of life to join the rest of the world in fasting and praying on Thursday, 14^th May, 2020. The call was made in a press statement issued by the Director of the human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday, 12^th May, 2020.

The statement reads:

“The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity has requested all mankind to engage in fasting and prayer on Thursday, 14^th May, 2020. The purpose is to find a spiritual platform for combating COVID-19. This is a spiritual exercise that cuts across all faiths.

“The document from the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity actually came through the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for further dissemination and we consider it our duty to give it maximum publicity for the benefit of our great country, Nigeria.

“Homo sapien is currently focused on finding a scientific solution to corona virus. The search has been going on for months but there is no solution in sight yet. Realising that man is body, soul and spirit, the need for bringing in the spiritual angle to complement science has become very germane.  

“Man may labour in vain looking for the way out of a problem if there is no divine inspiration. Prayer is useful as we can use it to seek refuge in the All-Powerful. Most importantly, prayer is capable of opening the gates of wisdom as mankind searches for the right medication for COVID-19. Therefore the call for resort to prayer is not tantamount to giving up on a scientific solution but a means of seeking guidance for our scientists.

“Though Muslims are already in the Ramadan fasting period, the rest of humanity is urged to join in this quest. It is an interfaith exercise that has nothing to do with Ramadan. Muslims who are already fasting are therefore urged to dedicate the day to praying for the panacea for the corona pandemic.

“Our major prayer point should be that Allah, God, Ubangiji, Chineke, Ebube Dike, Olorun Olodumare, Osanobwa, Soko or whatever name we call Him in our various creeds should guide scientists all over the world to find a lasting solution to the current scourge. Also that the Almighty, the All-Knowing who knows the origin of COVID-19, who Himself is the font et origo of all knowledge and from whom the sorce of COVID-19 cannot be hidden, should in His Infinite Wisdom and Inconprehensible Compassion, forgive humanity its iniquities and evacuate the pandemic from the earth in no distant time.

“In a nutshell, we enjoin Nigerians to sink their differences and join hands in fasting and praying together on Thursday, 14^th May, 2020, for a solution to COVID-19 and the safety of humanity. We charge all religious leaders and the Nigerian people to hearken to the call of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity to beseech God Almighty together, in the words of the Committee ‘to safeguard the entire world, to help us overcome this pandemic, to restore security, stability, healthiness, and prosperity, so that, after this pandemic is over, our world will become a better place for humanity and fraternity than ever before.’”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

ALMAJIRIS’ EXPULSION ILL-CONCEIVED - MURIC

8^th May, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

ALMAJIRIS’ EXPULSION ILL-CONCEIVED - MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized the current trend of expulsion of almajiris from various Northern states to their states of origin. This is because this mass expulsion has inadvertently aided the spread of, and increased the caseload of COVID-19 in the receiving states.

This was the position of MURIC in a press release issued by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, 8^th May, 2020.

The statement reads: “Many states of the North have been expelling large numbers of almajiris back to their states of origin in recent times. For example, on April 21^st, 2020, Kano expelled 432 almajiris to Katsina, 63 to Yobe, 198 to Kaduna, etc. Expectedly, the Northern states are beginning to take responsibility and there is every reason to believe that plans are already on ground to take good care of those almajiris on arrival in their home states. The motive behind it is commendable.

“However, the expulsions have coincided with the COVID-19 outbreak and this is our first concern. The children are being exposed to great danger. To make matters worse, significant numbers of these almajiris are testing positive to Corona virus thereby swelling the COVID-19 caseloads of their receiving states and making the management of this global pandemic more difficult for Nigerian authorities. Unfortunately, some of these almajiris are also escaping to southern states, potentially spreading COVID-19 to every nook and crany of Nigeria. 

“It is clear that the concerned Northern states appeared to have acted without consulting Islamic scholars who are at their beck and call. Islam opposes the idea of leaving a city under plague attack. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned that, ‘If a plague breaks out in a city and you are living there, do not leave it. And if you are about to enter a city and there is a plague there, do not enter there’

“The reported expulsions and arrangement of caravan-like trips for the expulsion of almajiris from some Northern states is therefore ill-advised and badly timed. The exercise is already being abused as some of the almajiris are allegedly escaping southwards. Worse still is the fact that some of them have already tested positive for COVID-19.

“Nigeria would have fared better if we had strictly followed the Islamic teaching on remaining in one place during a plague. Even the world would have been safer today but the phobia for anything Islamic did not allow world powers to take advantage of the wisdom in Islamdom for managing pandemics.

“We appeal to the security agencies to strictly enforce the ban on interstate travels, including stemming the tide of interstate almajiri ‘exports’. Many of the index cases in some states have been traced to people who came in from outside such states. The police have a case to answer, particularly concerning trailers caught with human and animal cargoes in the south during the week. How did they ply the roads that lead to the south with several roadblocks along the line?

“As we round off, we enjoin Northern governors to postpone the expulsion of almajiris until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Instead, the Federal Government, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the NCDC should collaborate with the concerned Northern states to gather all those almajiris in a few central locations, test them for the Corona virus, isolate the infected and treat them promptly. That way, this scourge will be nipped in the bud among them and we would have prevented the spread of COVID-19 via infected almajiris to the whole of the country.

“Those in charge of the repatriation of almajiris must also ensure that the latter do not successfully escape down south where nobody understands their culture. We charge Nigerians to exercise patience by refraining from travels around this period and, better still, by staying at home, maintaining social distancing, using facemasks and washing their hands regularly or using sanitisers.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC COMMENDS OONI FOR COVID-19 FUMIGATOR

1^st May, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC COMMENDS OONI FOR COVID-19 FUMIGATOR

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, yesterday Thursday, 30^th April, 2020 donated two locally-fabricated fumigators and drones to the Ondo State government as part of his contributions to the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has commended the traditional ruler for the initiative. The group spoke through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who circulated a press statement to pressmen on Friday, 1^st May, 2020.

He said, “Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s initiative is highly impressive. It should be commended by all Nigerians regardless of tribe. He is a shining example of a proactive monarch who should be emulated by other traditional rulers in the country. He has broken the myth of the redundancy of the traditional institution not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole.

“The traditional ruler of Ile-Ife has also given a practical example of how traditional rulers can join hands with the government in providing solutions to problems arising in our society. In particular, he has shown vividly how Nigerians and, indeed Africans, can look inwards for remedies to tackle their problems instead of waiting for Europe and America for panacea that may never come. MURIC is very proud of Oba Ogunwusi.

“We note with interest that the gift of motorized fumigators is not limited to Ondo State alone. Oba Ogunwusi had earlier presented the same motorised fumigator and drones to other states in the region. This implies that Ogunwusi has expended humongous amount of money probably running into billions of naira.

“It is probably the first time a traditional ruler is embarking on wide range philanthropy of this kind. Oba Ogunwusi comes across as a humanist of no small measure and a patriot of great treasure. It should be noted that the monarch single-handedly enthroned peace and stability between the ancient city of Ile-Ife and its next door neighbor, Modakeke, thereby bringing to a halt a conflict that had consumed hundreds of lives while properties worth billions of naira had been destroyed. He attained this feat within months of his installation. This places the traditional ruler on the pedestal of peace-makers and lovers of progress.

“Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has interrogated the status quo. His clear message is that we must not leave the fate of Africans in the hands of the West. The colonial master will never teach us what will benefit us. They are mainly interested in promoting their country’s national interest. They will continue to condition our minds towards dependency and docility. This is why we must agree that Oba Ogunwusi is a trail blazer. His initiative is a challenge to both Nigerian and African scientists.

“We call on the Federal Government (FG) and the governments of Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti to seek more ways of tapping from the rich mind of Oba Ogunwusi. We enjoin the people of Ile-Ife to continue to cooperate with their amiable, peace-loving and progress-inclined king.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC TASKS OBIANO ON MUSLIMS IN ANAMBRA

29^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TASKS OBIANO ON MUSLIMS IN ANAMBRA

The governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on Sunday 26^th April, 2020, gave guidelines to the state’s residents regarding the relaxation of lockdown in the state. However, an Islamic human rights association has criticized the governor for focusing on Christians and church attendance protocol during lockdown in the state to the detriment of his Muslim subjects.

This was contained in a press statement circulated on Wednesday 29^th April, 2020 by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We are bemused by the one-sided statement accredited to the governor of Anambra State on his advisory to residents of the state on easing the lockdown. He kept referring to churches and church leaders thereby giving the impression that he only recognizes Christianity in his state.

“Obiano said and we quote, ‘With regards to religious groups, leaders of the church should ensure that worshippers comply with the standard protocols of COVID-19 which includes wearing of face masks to church, use of hand sanitisers, social distancing and regular washing of hands.

“Church leaders should decide how best to conduct mass and service in strict adherence to the principles of social distancing to ensure that worshippers are not endangered. Please note that there should be no crusades and vigils for the time being.’ (http://saharareporters.com/2020/04/26/jubilation-anambra-governor-obiano-relaxes-lockdown-churches-markets-open)

“Political office holders should understand the complex nature of our communities. They should allow liberalism to flow in their speeches and actions. This particular speech of Obiano gives the impression of a governor who will not recognize the presence of Muslims in his state, talk less of granting them their Allah-given fundamental human rights.  

“There are implications in such utterances. They come from the subconscious. They reflect the belief and attitude of the speaker. The question that comes to mind naturally after reading the governor’s speech is whether Anambra is also a Christian state. Is it like Wike, like Obiano? We are therefore constrained to ask the governor, ‘Is Anambra State also a Christian state? Do you recognize the existence of Muslims in the state? Who will guide the Muslims in Anambra concerning COVID-19 religious culture now that you have refused to address them? Are Muslims in the state safe under you?’

“We remind Governor Obiano that apart from the large number of Northerners in the state, there are thousands of Anambra indigenes who are Muslims. These people also yearn for his attention, guidance and care in this difficult period. A governor in the Nigerian context cannot afford to be governor of the Christians or that of the Muslims alone. Once you are governor you are governor over the adherents of all faiths. Obiano is the father of all in Anambra State. He should be impartial and his guidance and assurances should go to all, not to Christians alone.

“We therefore call for the governor’s understanding of the fears of Muslims in his state and across the country. He should clarify his statement. If a governor mentions the church in an official statement, he is expected to mention the mosque also. Obiano is not a church leader. Nigerians know him as a political leader and a sitting governor for that matter.

“For the avoidance of doubts, MURIC has no apology for making statements like this. Leaders must be interrogated. Democracy bestows the power of interrogation to every citizen and even more so civil society. We have the right to raise questions. It is democracy in action. Unfortunately what we have these days is parochial democratic practices. The Nigerian society has been compartmentalized into a ‘four legs good, two legs better’ environment a la Animal Farm. George Orwell must be laughing his head off in the grave. Otherwise why is it business as usual when some individuals and groups make sweeping statements and even threaten the peace of the land but Muslims (particularly MURIC) must not even ask ordinary questions without any hullabaloo?

                                                 

“The aim of our detractors is to portray us as extremists and terrorists. But they have failed woefully because MURIC has never issued threats against anyone. We have never incited anybody to violence. We have always promoted dialogue in keeping with the motto of our organization which is ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’.

“Only a section of the country can talk without being shouted down even by those who should know better. The common dogma these days is that Muslims must keep their mouths shut. Muslims must not challenge the status quo. MURIC must not ask questions. We refuse to be intimidated. We will never succumb to the whims and caprices of agents of neo-colonialism, political shenanigans and religious demagogues.

“Imagine if the governor of any of the Northern states had said half of what Obiano said or if President Buhari mentions mosques without adding churches immediately after, all hell would have been let loose. But nobody said anything about Obiano’s parochial utterances. They regard it as normal. We challenge this lopsidedness. It is not democracy. It is neither helping civilisation nor promoting the cause of humanity.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: MURIC SENDS SOS TO FG ON KANO

27^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: MURIC SENDS SOS TO FG ON KANO

The rampaging COVID-19 pandemic has rocked Kano to its foundations in the past few days with prominent citizens in academics and business circles falling victims. While only the names of prominent citizens among the victims are made public, hundreds of ordinary citizens are buried without any noise.

Although the state government has denied any connection between the strange deaths and corona virus, an Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sent a Save Our Soul message (S.O.S) to the Federal Government (FG) urging it to intervene immediately.

This was revealed in a press statement circulated to the media on Monday 27^th April, 2020 by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“Too many people are dying in Kano these days. It is too unusual. We suspect COVID-19. We need help in Kano very urgently. This is an S.O.S. The Federal Government must act with dispatch. We cannot afford to play the waiting game in this matter. We may not overwhelm COVID-19 even if we succeed in containing it in the rest of the country. This is because Kano is strategically positioned. The virus can easily spread to the North West, North East and then down South.

“Records have shown that the advent of the virus in some Northern states is not unconnected with the ancient city of Kano. The index cases in Adamawa, Plateau, and Jigawa are from Kano. Even two of the index cases in Kaduna are from Kano. That is an indication that the virus is very active in Kano State. Kano already has 77 cases of Corona virus at the last count but even that figure is debatable.

“More disturbing is the rumour that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the state has locked up its offices and its officials are not responding to distress calls. The only testing centre in Kano which is situated at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital has also been allegedly locked up. So where did NCDC get its figure on Kano? Something is fishy here. We are surprised that testing centres are almost nonexistent in the North. Is this a deliberate attempt at debilitating Northern population with its attendant impact on Muslim majority population in the country?

“We therefore demand an inquiry into circumstances surrounding the alleged closure of NCDC office in Kano State as well as the paucity of testing centres in the whole North.

“We advise Kano citizens in particular and the rest of Nigerians in general to take half a tea-spoonfull of habat as-sauda (black seed) with honey every morning to boost their immunity. Warm water should be added thereafter. During his lifetime, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recommended habat as-sauda as remedy for all diseases. Some COVID-19 patients have also testified to the effectiveness of habat as-sauda.

“Apart from this, we must be frank with ourselves. We should stop disobeying health officials and the authorities. FG advised against crowding. The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) also warned us to stop holding congregational prayers. We in MURIC also warned that Nigerian Muslims should not try to be more Muslim than Muhammad (peace be upon him). But some of us did not listen. We insisted on attending Jumu’ah prayers. We must go back and read Qur’an 4:59 and pay attention to what the Qur’an says on obedience to constituted authorities. Where are those scholars who misled you now? Where are they?

“Nigerian Muslims are currently enjoying a majority status in the area of demography. We must avoid anything capable of decimating our population. We urge Kano citizens to strictly obey rules set by health officials, particularly social distancing, washing hands regularly with soap, using sanitizers and staying at home. You must break the cycle of this killer virus. Above all, the government must be vicious to be triumphant. Violators of lockdown rules must be dealt with according to the law while the lockdown on Kano must not be lifted until the rate of death slows down to a reasonable level.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

RAMADAN MESSAGE: COVID-19 RAMADAN: EXTEND CHARITY TO ALL

24^th April, 2020

               

RAMADAN MESSAGE:

COVID-19 RAMADAN: EXTEND CHARITY TO ALL

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday announced the sighting of the moon signaling the commencement of this year 2020 (1441AH) Ramadan.      

In its Ramadan message, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sent fraternal greetings to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto and all Muslims in the country on the occasion of the beginning of Ramadan. The Islamic human rights organization said there was every reason for Nigerians to thank Allah for being alive at this trying period. It appealed to Muslims to extend its Ramadan feeding and other charity programmes to people of all faiths.

This was revealed in a Ramadan message circulated to pressmen on Friday, 24^th April, 2020 by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The director said, “We felicitate with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto and all Muslims in Nigeria on the advent of 2020 Ramadan and we pray that we will witness many more on earth. We call on all Nigerians to show gratitude to Allah for being alive at this trying period.

“Ramadan 2020 has coincided with COVID-19 which is a global health challenge that has defied all solutions. It has heralded death in its thousands and has rendered the global economy asunder. Hunger and starvation stare mankind in the face. Therefore, Nigerian Muslims have the responsibility to extend their feeding and other charity programmes to Christians, traditionalists and people of all faiths. COVID-19 is a leveler. It has equated fasting Muslims with hungry non-Muslims. Nigerians are battling with two viruses: Corona virus and hunger virus.  

“We are all fasting. We are all in the Ramadan season, a season of hope, mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, nurse no malice towards any human being no matter his religious or tribal background so that your fasts may be accepted. Extend charity to all.

“We must raise the banner of love and kindness as proclaimed by the Prophet of Mercy, Muhammad the son of Abdullahi when he said, “Show mercy to those on earth so that those in heaven will show mercy to you.”

“In particular, we charge Muslims who are used to travelling out to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) every year and wealthy Muslims who used to sponsor large number of Muslims for the same exercise to channel their riches towards the feeding of fasting Muslims and hungry Nigerians. The hadith affirms the huge reward accruing to those who feed people who are fasting without prejudice to the reward of those who are fed.

“We call on Muslims who are engaged in this holy exercise to spend the period in prayers for the lifting of this COVID-19 affliction from Nigeria in particular and the globe in general. We call for prayers for peace, political stability and economic buoyancy in our country.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)