MURIC TO NIGERIAN MUSLIMS : AVOID CHRISTIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

 

24^th November, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO NIGERIAN MUSLIMS : AVOID CHRISTIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES 

 

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has advised Nigerian Muslim students and their parents to avoid applying for admission into private universities owned by Christians pending the time the National Universities Commission (NUC) would sanitise them.

 

The group alleged that Christian proprietors of private universities are yet to purge themselves of tramadolised religiousity and deep-seated hatred for Muslims and their faith. This is manifested in forceful conversion of Muslim students, compelling Muslim students to attend church service and disallowing female Muslim students from using hijab.

 

A statement issued on Thursday, 24^th November, 2022 by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, accused Christian owners of private universities of gymnastic religiousity, religious intolerance and identity theft.

 

The statement reads:

“We have a litany of reports coming from Muslim students in private universities owned by Christians concerning anti-Muslim practices and religious apartheid. Muslim students are not allowed to practice their faith in those private universities. They cannot form Muslim students associations.

 

“Worse still, they are not given any space where they can pray. Hijab is an anathema in such institutions. Muslim students are forced to attend Christian service in the chapel where attendance registers are marked and absentees are sanctioned. These institutions have the poorest human rights records today. To Muslim parents and students, these institutions are comparable to torture chambers at least for the duration of their studentship.

 

“These actions amount to gymnastic religiousity, religious intolerance and identity theft on the part of Christian owners of private universities. It is religious intolerance when Christian school authorities fail to provide a place for Muslim students to pray. It is acrobatic spirituality when Muslim students are forced to attend church. It is identity theft when Christian school owners disallow female Muslim students from wearing hijab thereby making them look like Christians.

 

“This treatment is obnoxious, unlawful, illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional. It is an existential threat to the religion of Islam. It also constitutes indubitable proof of complete desertification of religious tolerance in the vocabulary of owners of Christian private universities.

 

“One way out of this quagmire is for Muslim students and their parents to make proper investigations before applying for admission into any private university. Those found to be owned by Christians should be avoided at all cost because they are nothing but spiritual traps set for Muslims to lose their identities.

 

“Christian proprietors do not possess that magnanimity, liberality and broadmindedness to share what they have without attaching strings. They continue to assure us with their body language that Christian evangelism in Nigeria knows no decency, to them all is fair, particularly that which is foul.

 

“To them, Muslim students are not among those who should enjoy or exercise their Allah-given fundamental human rights. Human rights should be enjoyed by Christian students alone.

 

“We urge Muslim students and their parents to avoid Christian private universities pending the time that the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) will sanitise them or pending the time Christian owners of private universities would have eschewed religious bigotry or learned to live and let live.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC TO NUC: STOP OPPRESSION OF MUSLIM STUDENTS IN CHRISTIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

 

21^st November, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO NUC: STOP OPPRESSION OF MUSLIM STUDENTS IN CHRISTIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

 

A call has gone to the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to take necessary steps capable of stopping the oppression of Muslim students in Christian-owned private universities. The call was made by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). The group alleged that Christian proprietors of private universities have consistently subjected Muslim students to forceful conversion via compulsory attendance of church services and denial of personal identity by disallowing use of hijab.

 

Making the call on Monday, 21^st November, 2022 was the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said:

“Private universities owned by Christians in the country have become torture chambers for Muslim students. The Muslim students cannot form any association on the basis of their own faith in those schools. They have no spaces for their prayers. They are forced to attend the church on campus as attendance is marked by the authorities. Muslim students who fail to go to church are sanctioned. This smirks of religious apartheid. It is therefore unacceptable.

 

“It is noteworthy that such private universities do not bear Christian names. Therefore Muslim students have no foreknowledge that they are seeking admission into Christian-owned universities. They are deceived into applying, paying acceptance fees and the school fees proper without being told that the institutions are owned by Christians or that they would be run according to Christian teachings.

 

It is after they have packed into the hostel and started attending classes that the school authorities start issuing odd rules. We see this as unfair, deceitful, fraudulent and non-transparent.

 

“MURIC calls on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene in this issue. Private universities should be true to the conditions of their approval by the Federal Government and their registration by the NUC. They should not be allowed to change the goal post after the game has started.

 

“They must be compelled to follow due process and to obey the rules of the land. No private university should make rules that will subject students to inhuman conditions. Forceful conversion by forcing Muslim students to attend church services is a gross violation of the letter and spirit of the Nigerian constitution.

 

“They get away with this pernicious, degrading and dehumanising practice by claiming that they are private institutions. But the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes the Nigerian Constitution the font et origo of all laws, rules, regulations, directives, memoranda, etc to the effect that no rule emanating from any other source shall override its provisions.  

 

“Chapter 1, Part 1, Section 1(1) & (3) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates: ‘This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

 

 

“In particular, Section 1(3) says, ‘If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void.’

 

 

If this is so and if Nigeria is not paying ordinary lip service to its own laws, the provisions of Section 38 (i) & (ii) which provides that ‘every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance’ should be made to apply to Christian-owned private universities which have turned their institutions to religious apartheid enclaves for Muslim students.

 

 

“Muslim students need NUC’s protection from the feudalistic spiritual slave masters of contemporary time which Christian private universities have turned out to be. Compliance with religious freedom and religious tolerance rules are some of the conditions which NUC should consider before issuing certificate of approval to private universities.

 

“Every individual or group, whether Muslim or Christian seeking to establish a private university should be made to sign an undertaking guaranteeing religious freedom. In addition, NUC should review the approval clauses of all existing private institutions in the country with a view to making them sign the same undertaking. This is necessary because Christian-owned private institutions are behaving as if they have the power to change the faith of their students as they wish.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

‘C OF O’ : MURIC REMINDS DAPO ABIODUN

 

15^th November, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

‘C OF O’ : MURIC REMINDS DAPO ABIODUN

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reminded Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State of the need to release the Certificates of Occupancy (‘C of O’) to those who participated in the Homeowners’ Charter scheme since 2018. The human rights organisation said releasing the C of O to the owners before the elections will be of great electoral benefit to the governor.

 

MURIC’s reminder came on Tuesday, 15^th November, 2022 through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“The fate of hundreds of Ogun State residents who applied for the Ogun State Homeowners’ Charter scheme since January 2018 still hangs in the balance four years later. There has been no word from the state government despite the fact that many of the applicants had paid in full.

 

“Although the scheme was launched by the former governor, Ibikunle Amosun, MURIC believes that governance is a continuum. The records must be there and the right thing to do is to pick the scheme up from where Abiodun’s predecessor stopped.

 

“Good governance resides in the corridor of continuity. Museum mentality will never take any administration anywhere. Besides, this is the right time to demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to the yearnings of the electorate. One good turn deserves another.

 

“Ogun State homeowners who get their ‘C of Os’ before February 23^rd 2023 are most likely to dedicate their PVCs to the electoral aspirations of Governor Dapo Abiodun.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

EFCC CHAIRMAN’S CONTEMPT : MURIC CALLS FOR PROBE

 

9^th November, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

EFCC CHAIRMAN’S CONTEMPT : MURIC CALLS FOR PROBE

 

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa, was yesterday sent to jail for contempt of court. But an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government to probe the circumstances surrounding the ugly development.

 

MURIC’s call for investigation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday 9^th November, 2022 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads :

“The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa, was yesterday sent to Kuje prison for contempt of court (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/11/court-remands-efcc-boss-in-prison-over-seizure-of-n40m-range-rover-2/). We are surprised by this judgement. We are therefore inclined to take the ruling with a pinch of salt.

 

“Considering where the EFCC chairman is coming from, we are equally disposed to the strong opinion that corruption might be fighting back. Without prejudice to the wisdom and authority of the learned judge, we posit that the circumstances surrounding the ugly development should be investigated by the Minister of Justice.

 

“We are particularly perturbed by the terms of the imprisonment as ordered by the honourable judge who said he should be committed to Kuje Prisons for his disobedience ‘until he purges himself of the contempt’.

 

“The Honourable Minister of Justice should investigate this with minimum delay. We must avoid a situation whereby heads of agencies act with impunity or where we give licence to judicial exuberance. There must be checks and balances on all sides.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC TO REDEEMED CAMP, JOURNALISTS: OUR WITNESSES ARE WAITING

 

7^th November, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO REDEEMED CAMP, JOURNALISTS: OUR WITNESSES ARE WAITING

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called out the Redeemed Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and the media for fact-finding on its allegation that Muslims were disallowed from entering the camp for banking transactions and to check their WAEC, JAMB and other examination centres. Although the RCCG denied the allegation, MURIC says its own witnesses who were direct victims of the blockade are now ready to be interviewed.

 

MURIC’s claim was contained in a statement issued on Monday, 7^th November, 2022 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads :

“It will be recalled that on Monday, 24^th October, 2022 we accused the Redeemed Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) situated along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway of disallowing Muslims from entering the camp to transact business at the banks and to check their examination centers.

 

“The RCCG denied the allegation. It called it fake news. We reacted to RCCG denial on Wednesday, 26^th October, 2022 that we have evidence to back up our claim. We asked interested members of the media to contact us for the purpose of interrogating our witnesses but none did.

 

“We hereby reiterate the fact that we have lined up several witnesses who were direct victims of RCCG blockade of Muslim bank customers. There are names and telephone numbers of real Nigerian Muslim citizens, not ghosts, who were turned back at the RCCG gate for no other reason than that they are Muslims.

 

“We have no scintilla of doubt that the RCCG blockade is an infraction of the rights of those Muslim victims. It should therefore be pursued to a logical conclusion.

 

“We are ready to give out the names and telephone numbers of those innocent Muslim victims to journalists who are ready to interact with them for fact-finding. MURIC does not make frivolous allegations. Neither do we fabricate stories.

 

“Despite all efforts by our detractors to tarnish our image, we will continue to protect the interest of Muslims through keen observation of events and issues that may affect their Allah-given fundamental human rights. Our witnesses are waiting for courageous journalists who care to know the truth. It is a call to professionalism. Who will bell the cat?”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC HAILS FASORANTI FOR ENDORSING TINUBU

 

3^rd November, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC HAILS FASORANTI FOR ENDORSING TINUBU   

 

Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the national leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, for endorsing Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the preferred presidential candidate for Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

 

The human rights outfit spoke through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday, 3^rd November, 2022.

The statement reads :

“The national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has endorsed Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the preferred presidential candidate for Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

 

“The highly respected Yoruba leader gave his blessings to Tinubu on Sunday, 30^th October, 2022 when the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress visited him at his country home in Akure, Ondo State (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/562416-2023-afenifere-leader-blesses-tinubus-presidential-ambition.html).

 

“MURIC commends Pa Reuben Fasoranti for his sportsmanship and broadmindedness. Pa Fasoranti’s name will be engraved in letters of gold for ignoring the illogical, irrational and inexplicable choice of Pa Ayo Adebanjo who  declared support for Peter Obi of the Labour Party (https://dailypost.ng/2022/09/26/nigeria-presidency-afenifere-shuns-tinubu-declares-support-for-peter-obi/).

 

“We advise Pa Adebanjo to reflect on the events surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the role of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in confronting military totalitarians and, in particular, the sterling quality of Bola Ahmed Tinubu among NADECO’s dramatis personae.

 

“Equally noteworthy for Pa Adebanjo is Tinubu’s heroic and miraculous rescue of Yorubaland from Nigeria’s drift to a one-party state and the attendant tyranny and dictatorship that would have followed in the hands of no other than one of the sons of Yorubaland who found himself in Aso Rock by accident but used the major part of his tenure to persecute Yorubaland. Perchance such retrospective glance, like the last look at the Moor, will remove the veil covering Pa Adebanjo’s eyes.

 

“A major significance of Pa Fasoranti’s endorsement of Tinubu is that it is capable of uniting the Yoruba people as Muslims and Christians will now rally behind Tinubu in a united front. The likely fallout of this development is a future payback by Yoruba Muslims who have shown the willingness to support a Christian candidate in future if their Christian counterparts vote for Tinubu, a Yoruba Muslim, in the 2023 presidential election.

 

“The 2023 election is of great importance to Yoruba Muslims because of the likelihood of a Muslim from the region emerging as president for the first time. All those who have tasted power in the past among the Yoruba have been Christians (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Earnest Shonekan, Oladipo Diya and Yemi Osinbajo).

 

“It will be recalled that MURIC had earlier called for a Yoruba Muslim president as far back as February 2021 (https://saharareporters.com/2021/02/26/yoruba-muslims-wont-support-any-non-muslim-candidate-2023-presidency-%E2%80%94muric). It is also worthy of note that MURIC reiterated the call for a Yoruba Muslim president again in May and October 2021, long before the presidential primaries (https://www.thecable.ng/muric-yoruba-muslim-must-get-2023-presidential-ticket-regardless-of-political-party; https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/2023-presidency-well-only-vote-for-a-yoruba-muslim-from-south-west-muric/).

 

“This goes to show how important the Tinubu project is to Yoruba Muslims. It follows, therefore, that the extent to which Yoruba Christians respond positively or otherwise will go a long way to determine the parameter with which Yoruba Muslims will measure the future relationship between them and their Christian neighbours.  

 

“Yoruba Muslims and their Christian counterparts can work together for the greatness of Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria in general if they can come together in moments like this. We must think more of things that unite us instead of dissipating energy on things that divide us.

 

“Christians and Muslims in Yorubaland must come together at this crucial time for the purpose of grabbing the open sesame to the doors of Aso Rock. The zone is fortunate to have the gem of the collection, a unifier, a builder of men, a rare genius, a political colossus, the possessor of economic magic wand, the man who turned Lagos to a land of gold, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)