CENTENARY CELEBRATION : MURIC SALUTES ANSARUDEEN

23^rd October, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

CENTENARY CELEBRATION : MURIC SALUTES ANSARUDEEN

    

The Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria began its three-month long centenary programme on Friday, 20^th October, 2023. Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has sent a message of solidarity to the society. MURIC described the Ansarudeen as the leading Islamic organization in Nigeria in the area of education.

 

 

MURIC’s solidarity message was contained in a statement given to newsmen on Monday, 23^rd October, 2023 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads:

 

“A foremost Islamic organization, the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (AUD), began its three-month long centenary programme on Friday, 20^th October, 2023.  The celebrations will come to an end in December 2023.

 

 

“MURIC expresses its unflinching solidarity with the AUD on this momentous occasion. We felicitate with the National President of this great organization, Alhaji Aare Dr. Abdul Rafiu Ademola Sanni whose visionary guidance and exemplary leadership have propelled AUD to greater heights.

 

 

“AUD is a golden lamp that has illuminated all that is around it. Millions of Nigerians have benefitted from its programmes particularly education. AUD primary and secondary schools are spread throughout the nooks and crannies of Nigeria while the organization has capped its educational edifice with colleges and a tertiary institution, Summit University, Offa, Kwara State. This is apart from its empowerment programmes for women and youths.

 

“We extend our acknowledgement to the spiritual leader of the AUD, Shaykh Abdul Rahman Ahmad. As the Chief Missioner of the society, Shaykh Abdul Rahman Ahmad has been a good ambassador.

 

 

“MURIC appeals to the federal and state Governments in the country as well as Muslim philanthropists to vigorously fund projects of the AUD. We charge the organization to remain focused and to pay greater attention to its youth wing in order to preserve its enduring culture of spiritual and social growth.”

 

#AnsarudeenCentenary

#AareDrRafiuSanni

#MURICSalutesAUD

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC DECRIES CHRISTIAN-CHRISTIAN APPOINTMENTS IN THE SOUTH WEST

 

17^th October, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC DECRIES CHRISTIAN-CHRISTIAN APPOINTMENTS IN THE SOUTH WEST

    

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has decried recent appointments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the South West. The group described the appointments as Christian-Christian in a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

 

This was revealed in a statement released on Tuesday 17th October, 2023 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said:

 

"We are constrained, once again, to ventilate the fears being expressed by Nigerian Muslims regarding recent appointments of people from the South West made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Muslim observers and analysts have agreed that the appointments tilt heavily towards Yoruba Christians. 

 

“Among the key federal appointments cornered by Yoruba Christians are the CEO, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), DG, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services, the Inspector General of Police, the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 

“Unconfirmed sources claim that the Chief of Army Staff is also a Christian even though he still bears a Muslim name. 7 out of 10 ministers from the South West are Christians. The Chairman, Tax Reform Committee and the Special Adviser, Economic Affairs are both Yoruba Christians. Many of the Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants from the South West are also Christians.

 

“This trajectory raises more questions than answers. For instance, how did Muslim-Muslim ticket metamorphose into Christian-Christian appointments? How did Muslim-Muslim ticket end up as Muslim-Muslim marginalization? How come the same Christian groups who vehemently opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket and who did not vote for it are now the same groups eulogizing the Muslim-Muslim ticket while those who are not praising it among them are maintaining a conspiratorial silence?

 

“We reiterate our position on ‘competence’ as the parameter for picking appointees as clearly stated in our press statement of 18^th September, 2023 in which we said, ‘MURIC rejects this trending narrative that makes competence the raison d'etre for concentrating appointments in any particular tribe, religion or group. Government's tentacles should be spread nationwide in the search for competence. Neither should the need for skills be used as a cover for the marginalisation of some sections of Nigeria. 

 

“‘We assert clearly, emphatically and unequivocally that competence is not the monopoly of any tribe, faith or group. Talented Nigerians are to be found everywhere if sincere searches are conducted. 

 

“‘Besides, government should take the lion share of the blame if competent hands cannot be found in any section, creed or group for certain assignments. It means the government has not, ab initio, allowed educational and training facilities to be fairly and evenly distributed, or that government has failed to consciously integrate all segments of the Nigerian society. All sectors must therefore have equal opportunities to participate in governance.’

 

“MURIC has never said Christians should not be given appointments, what we oppose is constant domination of governance by Christians and marginalisation of Muslims even when Muslims are eminently qualified. We are for sharing, not monopoly. We are for inclusivity, not exclusivity.

 

“Who says Muslims have no qualified candidates? For example, Yoruba Muslims had their eyes on a tested and trusted retired police commissioner who has a nationwide reputation for transparency as the next chairman of the EFCC but Tinubu in his own wisdom picked a pastor of the same Redeemed Church which spread toxic propaganda against the Muslim-Muslim ticket and threatened hell and brimstone during the electioneering campaigns. 

 

“Yoruba Muslims were politically marginalized under every Christian president that has ruled this country. This informed MURIC's early outcry as far back as 2021 for the need for a Yoruba Muslim to emerge as president in 2023. It is paradoxical that despite the actualisation of that aspiration with the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president, the fate of Yoruba Muslims is now worse. They have been 'shocked and awed'. 

 

“MURIC demands assurances of a change from the current trajectory. President Tinubu owes Yoruba Muslims an explanation for their continued political isolation, particularly under his watch.”

 

#StopChristianChristianAppointments

#SouthWest

#NigerianPresidency

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC INVITES ADEBOYE TO PRAYER AGAINST THE OPPRESSOR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

 

14^th October, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC INVITES ADEBOYE TO PRAYER AGAINST THE OPPRESSOR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

    

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has declared support for Israel in the ongoing war between the Zionist nation and Palestine. He also said he would be praying for Israel to be victorious. However, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has tackled the Christian cleric.

 

 

Instead of praying for Israel specifically, the group invited Pastor Adeboye to pray for failure for the oppressor between Israel and Palestine. MURIC’s invitation to Pastor Adeboye was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, 14^th October, 2023 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads :

 

“We have been reliably informed that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has declared support for Israel in the ongoing war between the Zionist nation and Palestine. He also said he was praying for Israel to be victorious (https://blueprint.ng/reactions-as-pastor-adeboye-backs-israel-in-prayer/).

 

 

“We are bewildered that a religious leader of Pastor Adeboye’s standing can ignore the sufferings of a people who have been under occupation, siege, arbitrary arrests, long imprisonments accompanied with severe torture, family separations, demolition of homes without warning, extra-judicial killings on a daily basis and the most horrendous dehumanization and violation of fundamental human rights.  

 

 

“As we speak, 1,800 Palestinians have been killed, more than 6,000 have been wounded and there are no drugs to treat them. Gaza medical facilities have been stretched to their limit. Half of Gaza is already in ruins (https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-news-hamas-war-10-13-23/index.html).

 

 

“1,300 Israelis have died and a few hundreds wounded but the injured ones in Israel are receiving medical attention whereas the Palestinians have had no food, no water, no fuel and no electricity for six days. Children and pregnant women are among the Palestinian victims deprived of essential facilities.

 

 

“In the midst of this colossal human catastrophe, we are miffed that Pastor Adeboye is praying for a country with a powerful military that locked up all exits of a weaker country that has no standing army and no single fighting aircraft, bombards it for six days and it is now preparing for a ground assault, to be victorious in its bloodthirsty drive for a pogrom.

 

 

“Tramadolised religiousity in arrogant ignorance has always been a major problem of Nigerians. Adeboye is praying for the extermination of poor Palestinians without knowing that thousands of Christians are most likely to be victims of the massacre inside the same Gaza.

 

 

“Palestine has a population of 12 million people and Christians constitute 7% of that figure, about 840,000. How is Adeboye certain that the merciless bombing and leveling of whole neighbourhoods has not killed many Christians already in Gaza? How is he sure that the coming gruesome ground assault will not affect any of the Christians?

 

 

“Compared to the number of Christians in Palestine, Christian population in Israel is a meager 185,000 which is just 1.9% of Israel’s 9.3 million people. This means that contrary to the belief of many Nigerians, the Israelis are not Christians. Also, the population of Muslims in Israel is 1.7 million, representing 18% of the total population.  This also means there are more Muslims in Israel than Christians.

 

 

“Nigerians must therefore realise that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is not rooted in religion but in land-grabbing. That is why Nigerians should not exchange hostilities over the conflict in the Middle East. We should not be divided along religious lines. Good Muslims and good Christians should continue to interact, love and share.  

 

 

“The Palestinians know that the Israelis are not Christians and they are not fighting Israel on grounds of religion. They are merely defending themselves and asserting their fundamental human rights after being under zionist occupation for 75 years.

 

 

“Instead of praying for Israel’s victory specifically, we invite Pastor Adeboye to pray for failure for the oppressor between Israel and Palestine. He should pray for an end to slavery and apartheid in the Middle East and in other parts of the world. Finally, he should pray for peace in Nigeria and the world as a whole.

 

 

“On these three prayer points, therefore, we pour out our hearts. We humble ourselves before the Almighty Creator. Oh God of All Nations, the Invincible, God the Invissible, God the All-Knowing, God the King of Kings, the Judge of all judges, the Most Powerful of all powers, we call upon You today that You ensure that failure shall be the portion of whoever is the oppressor between Israel and Palestine. We pray for peace in Nigeria and the world at large.

 

 

“All we are asking our G. O. to do is to join us as we say ‘Amen’ to those prayers. It will be enough for the G. O. to tweet the same prayer to Nigerians so that they may be convinced that he has no intention of backing the oppressor.”

 

#PrayForTheOppressed

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

PALESTINE WAS PUSHED TO THE WALL - MURIC

 

12^th October, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

PALESTINE WAS PUSHED TO THE WALL - MURIC

    

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has described ongoing bombardment of Palestine and the blockade of Gaza by Israel as a mere continuation of Israel's genocidal and apartheid proclivity. MURIC avered that Hamas’ attack on Israel occurred because Palestine was pushed to the wall. While calling for ceasefire, the group called on the global community to address the root of the Palestinian question. 

 

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday 12th October, 2023 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The full statement reads:

 

“Today marks the sixth day of the bombardment of Palestine from the air, land and sea. This followed a surprise attack on Israel launched by the Palestinian liberation group known as Hamas on Saturday, 7th October, 2023. 

 

 

“MURIC wishes to put the crisis in its proper perspective in view of several false and misleading narratives being pushed to the front burner. This began with the allocation of a larger portion of Palestinian land to Israel in 1947 by the United Nations (UN) which was immediately followed by Israel's belligerent, expansionist and apartheid policies which have left the Palestinians with only a fraction of the land which belonged to them ab initio. 

 

 

“The UN failed to secure autonomy for Palestine. Only Israel is recognized as a state. The Palestinians have no freedom of movement. Their infrastructure, water, electricity, etc are controlled by Israel and the latter has the power of life and death over every Palestinian citizen. Extra-judicial killing at the hands of Israel is rampant while arbitrary arrests, demolition of Palestinian homes are the order of the day. 

 

 

“The desecration if Al-Aqsa Mosque which is the third holy place of Islam is equally at the root of the crisis. It was these provocations, the acts of injustice and the constant violation of Allah-given fundamental human rights that pushed the Palestinians to the wall. 

 

 

“Saturday's attack was therefore mere smoke and since there is no smoke without fire, objective people must look beyond the smoke and ask for what actually caused it. 

 

 

“We reject the notion that Hamas or the Palestinians are terrorists. These are people fighting for their rights. They are freedom fighters. They are out to liberate their people. They are seeking for justice, equal rights and a dignifying existence for every Palestinian. We identify with these noble goals and we assert that justice is the soul of peace. No one can deny one and still enjoy the other.

 

 

“The anatomy of terrorism has revealed that when deep wounds are inflicted on people by usurpers and the international community turns a blind eye, the victims more often than not turn to self-help. We found in Israel all the five evils Chamberlain spoke about: brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution. 

 

 

“The whole Gaza may be flattened. All 2.4 million Palestinian population may be slaughtered. It makes no hero of Israel. Neither does it make the Jewish state super human. Rather it will only bring forth the brute in Israel. History does not forget.

 

 

"We lay the blame squarely at the feet of America for failing to act as an unbiased umpire. America and its Western allies find immense pleasure in applying veto to UN resolutions which were designed to act as checks on belligerent Israel until the latter began to see itself as not only untouchable but also invincible. Israel has ignored more than 232 UN resolutions to date. 

 

 

"Three things have emerged clearly in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Firstly, the myth of the invincibility of Israel has been broken. Two, by vouching to stand by Israel in this crisis, America has proved that it is the biggest threat to democracy, rule of law, justice and equity in the world. Three, by vowing to deprive 2.4 million Palestinians living in Gaza of food, water and electricity, Israel's prime minister Netanyau has exposed himself as the worst tyrant since Hitler and Mussolini.

 

 

“It will be recalled that one time American president Bill Clinton affirmed in September 2011 that this same Netanyau killed the idea of two states living side by side. Of course this means a lot to the discerning mind (https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/09/22/bill-clinton-netanyahu-killed-the-peace-process/).

 

“Meanwhile, more than 1,100 Palestinians including children, pregnant women and other vulnerable persons have been killed. On the Israeli side, 1,200 have died. Hundreds have been injured on both sides.

 

 

“Considering the heavy toll on both sides, MURIC calls for immediate ceasefire. We demand the opening of a humanitarian corridor by Israel in obedience to the United Nations' call and the appeal made yesterday by the European Union. War is a monster. It makes beasts of men.

 

 

"We appeal to Hamas not to carry out it's threat to execute one hostage for every attack carried out by Israel without warning. We call for immediate ceasefire by all sides. We call on Nigerians to eschew sentiments and face facts in the Palestinian question. Nobody should fan the embers of bitterness over the war between Israel and Palestine. Rather we should learn as much lessons there are in the unfortunate imbroglio.”

 

#IsraelPalestineCeasefire

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

Dilapidated Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway: MURIC Sends SOS to President Tinubu

 

9^th October, 2023

Press Statement

*Dilapidated Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway: MURIC Sends SOS to President Tinubu*

 

The Chairmen of Muslim Rights Concern

(MURIC), a faith-based Islamic human rights group in Lagos and Ogun States have issued a joint press statement in which they decried the deplorable condition of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, an 81-kilometre federal highway which has continued to be a death trap, dangerous, inaccessible and time-consuming route.

 

In a joint press statement released on Friday 6th October 2023 by Dr Busari Jamiu Muhammad Ademola and Alhaji Jimoh Tajudeen Alao who are the chairmen of Lagos and Ogun MURIC respectively, they decried the conditions of the expressway as worrisome.

 

The Statement reads:

 

"We, the chairmen and members of MURIC in Lagos and Ogun States are calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to revisit the construction of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway which has been a death trap and time-consuming route for road users. 

 

The road which was first constructed more than 40 years ago by the Muritala-Obasanjo regime linking over 200 communities has made life unbearable for  thousands of road users especially in both Lagos and Ogun States for decades.

 

"The condition of the expressway is embarrassing, and with the return to democracy since 1999, the citizens of our dear States keep wondering if the route is attracting enough government attention.

 

"The contract for the reconstruction of the road worth billions of Naira was re-awarded in 2018 to both Julius Berger and RCC Construction companies respectively by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari but till date, no significant progress could be seen. 

 

"From Ijaiye-Alakuko axis of Lagos via tollgate, Sango, Ifo, Itori, Papalanto and Obada near Abeokuta, the experience is brutal and painful with so many deep holes.

 

"Therefore, on behalf of the  good citizens of our dear States and as a matter of urgency and public interest, we call on President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister of works, David Umahi, Governors of our beloved States Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and all relevant agencies to expedite action in  constructing a viable, motorable and secure expressway to save the lives of Nigerians. 

 

"We equally sympathise with thousands of Nigerians who are regular users of the road despite its unbearable state of dilapidation. We urge them to be hopeful, the relieve is inevitable as the governments of President Tinubu in collaboration with the governments of Lagos and Ogun States will hopefully find a lasting solution to the deplorable condition of the expressway without further political bureaucracy.

 

#Lagos-Abeokutaexpressway

#saveourlives

 

Dr Busari Jamiu Muhammad Ademola              Alhaji Jimoh Tajudeen Alao

Chairman,                                                          Chairman,

MURIC                                                               MURIC

Lagos State Chapter                                         Ogun State Chapter

 

 

 

NASARAWA : STOP BLACKMAILING MUSLIM LEADERS – MURIC TELLS HURIWA

 

7^th October, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

NASARAWA : STOP BLACKMAILING MUSLIM LEADERS – MURIC TELLS HURIWA  

    

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) yesterday accused prominent Muslim leaders in the country including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Sultan of Sokoto of attempting to influence the ongoing litigation on the gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State.

 

 

However, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has warned HURIWA to stop blackmailing Muslim leaders. MURIC challenged HURIWA to present its evidence if it has any instead of engaging in mudslinging.

 

The full statement reads :

 

“The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) yesterday accused prominent Muslim leaders in the country of attempting to influence the ongoing litigation on the gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State.

 

 

“Those accused by HURIWA included Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’d Abubakar and the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammadu I. HURIWA further alleged that the Muslim leaders were trying to ‘weave Islamic sentiments’ around the Nasarawa State governorship litigation’.

 

 

“These allegations are baseless, unfounded and outrageous. HURIWA is just seeking ways of tarnishing the images of Muslim leaders whose profiles tower above those of ordinary Nigerians. As an outfit which has long been known as a biased, Muslim-hating and Muslim-bashing outfit, HURIWA wishes to drag these Muslim leaders of impeccable character in the mud.   

 

 

“We challenge HURIWA to come forward with any shred of evidence in its possession within 48 hours if it has any instead of engaging in mudslinging. No human rights organization worthy of the name should rely on beer parlour gossip the way HURIWA has been operating in the past few years.

 

 

“We urge all the honourable judges involved in litigation matters on the 2023 general elections to ignore attempts by merchants of rumour and peddlers of lies to hoodwink, blackmail and whip up inordinate sentiments among them.  

 

 

“We must always show interest in the facts of cases, not in the sentiments. Facts are sacred. For instance, the Court of Appeal will be interested in knowing why the court gave the petitioners what they did not ask for by setting aside the election of Governor A. A. Sule. Was the tribunal’s decision not reached per in curiam here?

 

“The tribunal also appears to have breached the principle of ex dolo malo non oritur actio i.e. he who comes to equity must come with clean hands as the written statements of 8 of the 22 witnesses called by the petitioner were not frontloaded. The Court of Appeal will also be interested in knowing why this happened.

 

“Another fundamental flaw in the tribunal’s handling of the case was its failure to make witnesses tender documents. This has jeopardized veracity of the case. Something happened to audi alteram partem here, the principle of hearing from the other side.  

 

 

“We advise the Nasarawa State Court of Appeal to spare no efforts in ascertaining whether or not there has been a miscarriage of justice at the election tribunal. We urge them to discharge their duties without fear or favour. Neither should they be swerved by ridiculous, frivolous and preposterous allegations like that of HURIWA. Meddlesome interlopers are uncertificated UFOs in litigation.”

 

#StopBlackmailingMuslimLeaders

#NasarawaElectionPetition

#DontBullyNasarawaCourtOfAppeal

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).