MURIC PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE GEN ABDULLAHI MURAINA

 

14^th September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE GEN ABDULLAHI MURAINA

An Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has paid tribute to the Late General Muraina Abdullahi (rtd) who died on Friday, 9^th September, 2022. MURIC described the late army general as a fully committed Muslim and a quiet and uncommon philanthropist.

MURIC’s tribute came on Wednesday, 14^th September, 2022 via a press statement released to newsmen by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“General Muraina (rtd) died in Dubai on Friday, 9^th September, 2022 at the age of 64. Prior to his retirement, he was the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Nigerian Army Headquarters. A great son of Ibadanland, the Late General Muraina was a honourary life member of the Ibadan Recreation Club and the Aare Ajagundola of Iseyinland.

“He was the 23rd President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). He was a Fellow of the NIM as well as a Fellow, Certified National Accountants and Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He was equally a member, Institute of Directors of Nigeria and an alumnus of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

“He had a taste of traditional Islamic education early in life. He had his elementary education at the Islamic Mission School, Odoye, Ibadan. He had his first taste of military career in 1972 when he gained admission into the Nigerian Military School, Zaria before proceeding to the Polytechnic in 1976. He bagged a Bachelor of Science at the University of Lagos and a Master of Science at the University of Ilorin.

“News of his death came to us with a rude shock. The late general has been known to our team since the 90s. He and his wife were the first pillars of support for Telly Dawah and MURIC. He was a fully committed Muslim and a quiet and uncommon philanthropist. He was extremely kind and generous to a fault. He could give his right eye to anyone in need.

“General Abdullahi Iyanda Muraina will not hurt a fly, gentle yet gallant, an uncommon soldier, hardly would anyone identify him as belonging to the Nigerian Army. He was a patriot and a gentleman nulli secundus. He was the embodiment of humility.

“MURIC owes him and his family tons of obligations which we can never fulfil, particularly his wife, Alhaja Habeebat Muraina, whom members of MURIC fondly refer to as the ‘woman with the heart of gold’. We are full of regrets that we have not been able to repay a single fraction of his kindness to us. Our hearts bleed.

“But as Muslims, we accept the decision of Almighty Allah and we are certain that Allah will reward them in manifold. We pray that Allah forgives him, have mercy on him and grant him a lofty place in Al-Jannah Firdaus. We also pray for his loving wife and children. May Allah strengthen them. May Allah fill the yawning lacuna left behind by the head of the family.

“This prayer from us is still not enough. We therefore urge Muslims throughout the country to offer special prayers for the repose of General Muraina’s soul and for the safety of those he left behind. General Muraina deserves this and even more. He was an integral part of MURIC from the scratch and our story can never be complete without mentioning him. We have lost a gem.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

UNILORIN VC: MURIC CONGRATULATES EGBEWOLE

 

10^th September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

UNILORIN VC: MURIC CONGRATULATES EGBEWOLE

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated Professor Wahab Egbewole for emerging the 12^th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin.

MURIC’s congratulatory message was signed by the director of the organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 10^th September, 2022.

It reads:

“A new vice chancellor has been announced at the University of Ilorin. He is Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole. He will succeed Professor Sulyman AbdulKareem Age whose five-year tenure will end 15^th October, 2022.

“Egbewole beat 29 contestants out of whom 13 were shortlisted in the race for the highly coveted office of the prestigious tertiary institution in a keenly contested exercise.

“A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Egbewole has spent 25 years in the university. He is a legal luminary with a PhD in law and jurisprudence. He is therefore most eminently qualified for the post of vice chancellor.

“We rejoice with professor Wahab Egbewole on this lofty appointment. For somebody who is very hardworking, an unparalleled academic and a seasoned administrator, it is a well-deserved position. As a quiet humanist and unsung philanthropist, both the students and staff of the university are set for pleasant surprises in welfare matters. The University of Ilorin has caught a big fish.

“MURIC commends the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of the University of Ilorin as well as members of the governing council for employing objectivity and following due process in their search for a new vice chancellor. It was their adherence to high level standards and global best practices which eventually produced the great asset which Professor Egbewole represents.  

“We have no scintilla of doubt that Professor Egbewole will take the University of Ilorin to greater heights. We advise the new vice chancellor to keep his eyes on the ball, maintain his well-known stand on principles and remain faithful to his flair for striving for excellence.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

STOP KILLING OF MUSLIMS IN SOUTH EAST – MURIC

 

8^th September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

STOP KILLING OF MUSLIMS IN SOUTH EAST – MURIC

 

The Abuja chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised the alarm over the continuous killing of Muslims in the South East by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). MURIC is worried that Islam may soon go into extinction in the region if the killings continue unabated.

 

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday, 8^th September, 2022, by the chairman of the organization in Abuja FCT chapter, Ustadh Yunus Salahudeen.

 

The statement reads:

 

“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has turned the South East into a huge killing ground with Muslims as the main targets. IPOB’s latest Muslim victim, Shaykh Ibrahim Iyiorji was killed in front of his house which is located at Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and in the presence of members of his family just four days ago on Sunday, 4^th September, 2022.

 

“Earlier, seven Muslims were killed on Friday, 5^th August, 2022 in Orogwe community, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State when suspected IPOB members opened fire on them (https://dailynigerian.com/ipob-attacks-hausa-community/).

 

“Four Muslims, Rabiu Aminu (45), Abdul Kadir Muktar (33), Aminu Amadu (37) and Rabiu Isaka (30) were shot dead in Umuaka, near Orlu on 4^th April, 2021 (https://www.sunnewsonline.com/hausa-community-pleads-for-calmness-as-gunmen-kill-4-northerners-in-imo/).

 

“Eleven Muslims were killed in Port Harcourt and Orlu on 20^th October, 2020 during the #EndSARS protests. After burning Ehime Mbano Police station, the attackers killed an innocent Muslim by name Abdullahi Ahmadu with his cows at Isieweke Ihite Iboma LGA on 27^th April, 2021.

 

“Five innocent Northern Muslims were also killed at an Hausa settlement near the popular Abraka Market in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, 15^th September, 2017. Scores of others were injured. In another attack, an irate IPOB mob attacked the Yoruba Mosque in Umuahia, Abia State. The marauding hoodlums destroyed the mosque, tore copies of the Glorious Qur’an and defecated inside the mosque. Some Yoruba Muslims caught up in the mayhem were manhandled and robbed of their laptops and handsets.

“It is therefore another wicked, malicious and luciferous variation of ‘truth’ for anyone to claim that it is only Christians that are being killed in Nigeria. We call the attention of Western embassies in the country, particularly the United States of America, to the brutish slaughtering of Muslims in the South East.

“Besides targeted killings, places of worship belonging to Muslims are attacked at random. Exempli gratia, two mosques were set ablaze by the Igbo in Enugu on Saturday, 31^st October, 2020. The only surviving Islamic School in the South East which is located at Afikpo, Ebonyi State has also received threats of impending invasion. The Orlu Central Mosque was completely destroyed during the #EndSARS riot.

“Many Muslims in Igboland have gone into hiding. Hundreds have fled the region to escape from these heartless killers. The few Igbo Muslims who have elected to hang around continue to live in constant fear, whether at home or on the streets.

“MURIC strongly condemns the continuous, targeted, strategic and methodical killing of Muslims in the South East. It is crystal clear at this stage that the aim of those waging this bloody campaign is to exterminate all vestiges of Islam from the region.  

“MURIC appeals to the security agencies in the South East to protect innocent and law abiding Muslims living in the region. We remind the state governors in this area of interest to that the security of lives and properties is the primary business of government at both federal and state levels.

“Apart from the systematic physical elimination of Muslims in the region, Igbo Muslims are treated like second class citizens. They are accused of embracing Hausa religion. Plots of land belonging to Islamic organisations in the South East are commandeered by state governments. They are denied certificates of occupancy. Mosques are demolished at will and Muslim pilgrims boards are unable to operate normally.”  

Ustadh Yunus Salahudeen,

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

Abuja Chapter.

 

ALLOW ABUJA-KADUNA TRAIN TO RESUME – MURIC

 

2^nd September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

ALLOW ABUJA-KADUNA TRAIN TO RESUME – MURIC

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to families of victims of train attack on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line to allow the train service to resume.

 

The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Friday, 2^nd September, 2022 by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads :

 

“Bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on 28^th March 2022, killing eight, injuring 26 and kidnapping about 300 passengers. The bandits have since been releasing their victims in batches and only 23 remain in captivity (https://dailypost.ng/2022/09/01/23-victims-of-kaduna-abuja-train-attack-still-in-captivity-five-months-after/).

 

“Attempts by the Nigerian Railway Corporation to resume operation on the Abuja-Kaduna route was met with stiff resistance as families of abducted victims vowed to disrupt such resumption unless the victims were released (https://punchng.com/abductees-families-vow-to-stop-abuja-kaduna-train-resumption/). The status quo has since remained.

 

“MURIC sympathises with families of the victims. We feel their pain. It has been traumatizing for every patriotic Nigerian and they have been praying for the victims. The kidnapped victims are in our thoughts everyday.

 

“But no one should politicise the sad development. It is time to move on. While the Federal Government must continue to work towards the release of the 23 remaining victims, we must allow the railway authorities to resume work because thousands of Nigerians who need the services are being deprived this dividend of democracy on a daily basis. Resumption of work is therefore in the best interest of a greater majority of Nigerians.

 

“We must base our actions on the enlightened thought of Jeremy Bentham (1907) who argued that the moral quality of an action must be judged by its consequences on human happiness. He therefore concluded that mankind must aim at the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

 

“We believe that it is time to apply this principle of governance and morality to the Abuja-Kaduna train attack imbroglio. It has been a very sad and unfortunate incident and we solidarise with the victims and their families. But life must continue particularly in view of the large number of citizens who are suffering the consequences.

 

“This is where the families of the victims need to do a rethink and allow the resumption of the train services. One major reason for this is that the disruption only serves the interest of the bandits and that of enemies of Nigeria. The decision to disrupt services was made in May 2022. Four months have passed since then and the trains have remained grounded.

 

“That is an integral part of Nigeria’s infrastructure. If anyone thinks he is depriving President Muhammadu Buhari of the joy of achievement in the area of railway transportation by disrupting train services, such a person is making a big mistake. It was Barrack Obama who said, ‘Hoping your president fails is the same as hoping your country fails, and it is not patriotism. Patriotism is supporting your Commander-in-Chief even if you don’t agree with him on everything’.

 

“Unfortunately it is another vital part of the anatomy of the North that is bleeding. Transportation facilitates ease of business and Northern economy loses crucial doses every single day that the train disruption continues. The families of the train victims should realise that only a section of the country is suffering as a result of their protestation. Train services continue to run on the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri routes.

“That is selective justice. But how much of this hurts FG? We must put on correct thinking caps and only rational, creative and progressive caps can make any meaning. We need caps that can enable us to think like true and patriotic Nigerians.   

“People lose their dear ones everyday. Kidnappers strike everywhere on a daily basis. The families of the victims of kidnapping and other attacks have never attempted to stop innocent Nigerians from enjoying the services of either a local or state government on account of such attacks. It is only in the case of this Abuja-Kaduna train attack that we find families of the victims turning on the government for a pound of flesh. We are therefore compelled to think there may be more to the train attack than meets the eyes.  

“Unfortunately it is other innocent Nigerians who are feeling the impact of their demand. This is why we call on those threatening to disrupt the Abuja-Kaduna train services unless the victims of the attack are released to drop the demand.

“It is no longer tenable. The threat has lasted too long without achieving the required result. Schools are still open and functioning in Chibok and in Borno State in general despite the fact that majority of the Chibok girls are yet to be released.

“Another bitter truth is that those who refuse to allow Abuja-Kaduna trains to resume work are not punishing FG. They are punishing innocent Nigerians. Buhari does not ride this train. Neither does Amaechi. We need to be reasonable sometimes.

“We appeal to well-meaning Nigerians, groups and institutions to speak up on this issue. We must speak the truth to the families or whoever is behind the threat. The Arabs say ‘Silence on abomination is abomination (As-sukuutu ‘ala al-munkar munkar)’. Malcolm X was thinking along this line when he said, ‘I am for truth, no matter who says it. I am for justice, no matter who it is for or against’.

“Late Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto once said, ‘The greatest weapon is truth’. Isn’t it high time we use that weapon to find solution to the train impasse? Why are we not hearing any appeal targeted at the families of the train attack victims? Must thousands of innocent Nigerians continue to suffer like this?

“The continued silence of stakeholders is not the best. It is true that we can speak truth to power. But it is not to power alone. We must be ready to speak truth to the other party too. That is why Samuel Butler (1835 – 1902) said, ‘Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden, not silence.’

“Permit us to reiterate that our appeal to families of the victims to allow train services to resume on the Abuja-Kaduna route should not be misinterpreted as asking us to forget the victims. FG must continue to seek ways of securing their release while Nigerians should continue praying for the safety of the remaining 23 victims.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

PROBE DIVERSION OF ADAMAWA COLLEGE FEES TO CHURCH BANK – MURIC

 

30^th August, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

PROBE DIVERSION OF ADAMAWA COLLEGE FEES TO CHURCH BANK – MURIC  

 

The management of Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery was recently forced to suspend the admission process into its institution after it was discovered that the professional fee was being paid into the microfinance bank belonging to a church.  

 

Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused some Christian groups in the country of pursuing an entitlement and possessive ideology which constitutes a threat to peaceful coexistence. The group also demanded a probe into the unfortunate incident.

 

MURIC’s allegation was contained in a statement issued early on Tuesday, 30^th August, 2022 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads :

 

“Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery was recently forced to suspend its admission process after it was discovered that the professional fee was being paid into the Brethren MicroFinance Bank, Yola. The bank belongs to a church.

 

“It was only when a group of Muslims led by Shehu Ismail discovered this and protested that the college management was forced to suspend the exercise. (https://www.icirnigeria.org/adamawa-school-suspends-admissions-after-muslims-protest-payment-of-fees-in-church-microfinance-bank/).

“Although we are not surprised by this development, we are deeply upset by the recalcitrance of our Christian neighbours and their penchant for cheating Muslims at every little opportunity. What is most disturbing is that for every discovery, exposure and revelation, hundreds of such must have been perpetrated by many Christian groups without the knowledge of Muslims.

 

“We cannot continue like this. Our neighbours cheat us without any qualms. Tramadolised religiousity has taken over the churches. Most Christian churches of today are not what we used to know in this country. It is a very disturbing phenomenon. Who did this to Nigeria?

 

“Are there no conventional banks in the state? The same state capital, Yola, where the Brethren MicroFinance Bank is located plays host to several first and second generation banks. What stopped the school management from patronizing those conventional banks?

“By the way, why should a public institution like the Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery patronise a microfinance bank when there are safer banking institutions around? This is not just about religion but about the ethics of management.

“The school cannot claim to be unaware of the dangers involved in such a transaction in a country where microfinance banks collapse on monthly basis. What special benefits can the microfinance bank give the school that conventional, bigger and safer banks cannot give more? What security guaranty is there for the school’s savings in such a bank?

“It beats us hollow that the same Christians who shout to high heavens about Islamisation and Fulanisation are the first to be caught in so many raw deals aimed at benefiting Christians only at the expense of their Muslim neighbours. What happened to corporate integrity? What happened to values and norms? Where are those biblical teachings on morality and love of neighbour in all these?

 

“Our Christian neighbours have mastered the art of deceit. They falsely accuse Muslims of Islamisation knowing very well that they are the ones who are neck deep in Christianisation in all sectors. But the wind has blown. We have seen the ruff of the hen.

 

“It is now crystal clear that this noise about Islamisation and Fulanisation is a clever design to cover up ongoing, real and aggressive Christianisation. Our Christian neighbours are pursuing an entitlement and possessive ideology and this constitutes a threat to peaceful coexistence.

 

“It is important for them to keep shouting ‘Islamisation’ in order to put Muslims permanently on the defence. Our Christian neighbours have perfectly mastered the military tactic of using attack as the best form of defence. That way, people will not suspect them.

 

“Muslims in Adamawa have lost confidence in the State College of Nursing and Midwifery. There is no assurance of fair treatment for Muslims in such an academic institution that compromises standards in financial matters to a church microfinance bank.

 

“Documents, particularly data, home addresses and telephone numbers submitted to the bank by Muslim students can be easily abused for religious purpose as they may end up in the Brethren Church for the latter to take advantage of particularly if documentation is involved at any stage.

 

“This issue must not end there. Nobody should try to sweep it under the carpet. MURIC demands probe into the ugly and scandalous incident. It may appear ordinary but there is more to it than meets the eye. Muslim tax-payers in the state deserve to know why the Adamawa State Nursing and Midwifery Council Committee ignored all conventional banks in Yola to open account number 050..…26 with the Brethren MicroFinance Bank, a bank that belongs to a church.

“While we appeal to Muslims in Adamawa State in particular and Nigeria in general to remain calm and law abiding, we charge them to be at alert. We must be watchful and prayerful as it is now very clear that our neighbours are forever plotting to rob Peter to pay Paul. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

 

25^th August, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC PETITIONS IG OVER INCITEMENT OF YORUBAS AGAINST DIRECTOR, TO SUE ALAROYE MAGAZINE 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)  has petitioned the Inspector General of Police over the incitement of the Yoruba people against the director of the organization as well as the group by Alaroye, a weekly Yoruba magazine. MURIC alleged that the magazine portrayed it’s director as a traitor among the Yoruba working for Fulani marauders. MURIC also demanded apology from the magazine to avoid litigation.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the chairman of MURIC in Kwara State, Barrister Taofeeq Jaji, on Thursday, 25^th August, 2022.

The statement reads:

“Following the publication of inciting statements by Alaroye magazine two weeks ago, the State Chairmen Forum of MURIC (SCF) held an emergency zoom meeting on Saturday, 14^th August, 2022. The SCF resolved to send a petition to the Inspector General of the Police and to also demand unreserved apology from Alaroye magazine failing which the publisher will be sued in a court of competent jurisdiction.

“In compliance with the above resolution, a petition addressed to the IG was submitted at the Abuja office of the IG on Wednesday, 17^th August, 2022. The petition was officially acknowledged and stamped ‘received’. In addition, a letter demanding apology was sent by DHL courier to the office of Alaroye magazine. Our tracking of the parcel on DHL website showed it was delivered on Thursday, 18^th August, 2022.

“Unless there are consequences for character assassination, blatant lies and incitement of members of the public through reckless, lawless and irresponsible journalism, there will be no sanity in the public space. 800,000 lives were lost in the space of one hundred days in the Rwanda war which occurred between April and July 1994.

“Interestingly, the press had the lion share of the blame for ignition tension before the crisis. There must be checks and balances in a sector like the press that is so powerful particularly when it tends to become another Frankenstein monster. We must use every legitimate tool available to check recklessness in the media.

“MURIC appeals to the IG to expedite action on its petition as it concerns matters of likely breach of public peace and threat to the life of our director. We have no doubt that the Nigeria Police will greatly assist peace efforts in the country if it ensures the safety of our director.

Barrister Taofeeq Jaji,

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

Kwara State Chapter.