INVITATION TO JOIN MURIC

Friends, well-wishers, join me in promoting the rights of Muslims everywhere in the world. The world will know peace if there is justice in the land. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is committed to achieving global peace through dialogue. Our avowed motto is 'DIALOGUE, NOT VIOLENCE'. We already have members from all parts of the world. Join our Yahoo Group today by sending your name, telephone number and email address to my Facebook. This invitation is open to all your Muslim friends too. Please invite them. Salaam. Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

NATO ATTACKS ON LIBYA

NATO ATTACKS ON LIBYAN SHIPS   NATO war planes struck Libyan warships Friday 20 April. Libya insisted that its ships had never been involved in the conflict. We note with great interest the fact that those ships were stationary before they were struck. It is equally interesting that America and NATO in a trans-Atlantic conspiracy has systematically debilitated Libya's military capacity.   Both the US and NATO pretend to be engaged in a chivalrous military campaign in support of the rebels whereas the control of Libyan oil is the hidden agenda. America in particular is in Libya for its 'unfinished business'. We must recall that America under Ronald Reagan bombed Libya in 1986 in a futile attempt to kill Ghaddafi but ended up killing his grandson instead.   How much of Muslim blood is now in the hands of the West? Why are they always in a hurry to strike Muslim nations? We note also that the West is very keen on attacking Ghaddafi because he is the only Arab leader who has refused to serve as a crony to the West. He has been highly critical of Western neo-colonial manouvers and has always publicly challenged the West's positions on international issues.   The African Union has condemned NATO's strikes and urged it to halt them. But the appeal has fallen on deaf ears. America and NATO are definitely abusing their military might. It is aggression of the mighty and powerful over the weak. It is the manifestation of the five evils of which Chamberlain had spoken: brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution. Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

OBAMA KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH ISRAEL

OBAMA KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH ISRAEL   American President Barrack Obama proposed on Thursday that Israel should go back to its pre-1967 boarders. Of course visiting Isreali president has rejected Obama's idea as "indefensible". This is coming after years of fruitless negotiations initiated by the Obama administration.   We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) are not deceived. Obama knows how defiant Israel can be. Yet he knows what the US did in Iraq. He knows what America has been doing in Afghanistan for the past eight years to date. Everyone knows what America and NATO are doing presently in Libya. The whole world knows what is done to nations that defy world opinion. The truth is that Israel is sacrosanct, untouchable!   Israel has defied hundreds of UN resolutions without facing a single sanction. Almost all Arab countries promoting the cause of Islam are facing sanctions from America and the UN. Where then is the 'change' promised by Obama? The US is known for its jet-speed sanctions on Muslim nations. Yet no single sanction has been pronounced on Israel. Even ordinary UN condemnation of Israeli criminal action against civilian population is always vetoed by the US. Is this Western sense of justice? And, by extension, is this your democracy?   Obama's Thursday pronouncement is therefore calculated to placate Arabs and Muslims... a barren political statement. Obama knows how to add meaning to his statements. If Obama is serious about peace in the Middle East, then the US should sponsor a new UN resolution recognizing the pre-1967 boarders for Israel, create a buffer zone in the region and get NATO troops to maintain the buffer.   We have never heard of threats of sanctions against Israel for defying world opinion. Obama should not only threaten Israel with sanctions but he should actually impose it on that country as he has done with Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, etc. Why is it that only Arab and Muslim nations face Western sanctions?   On the other hand, MURIC finds the actions of Arab leaders ridiculous. They cannot even tell America exactly what they want. What a pity! Imagine how they divide themselves and allow the West to descend heavily on one Arab or Muslim country after another. It was Afghanistan day before yesterday. Yesterday it was Iraq. Today it is Libya. Tomorrow it is going to be Iran. After tomorrow.....? It is aggression ad infinitum!   We are waiting for the BIG ONE: the bombing of Makkah and Madina from the air and subsequent invasion of its territories (perhaps Britain or France will wake up one day and accuse Saudi Arabia of violating the rights of its own citizens, amassing WMD, torturing opposition elements, etc). They always have 'evidence'.   We have no iota of doubt that this has become a systematic, highly sophisticated 21st century crusade. The only way for Obama and other Western leaders to prove to us that this is not so is to treat Arab and Muslim nations with respect. As for now, we expect the worst from the West. Justice from that block will be a shocker.   MURIC says to Obama, "Mr. President, if you know what to do with Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, etc, you surely know what to do with Israel". Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

OBAMA KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH ISRAEL

OBAMA KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH ISRAEL   American President Barrack Obama proposed on Thursday that Israel should go back to its pre-1967 boarders. Of course visiting Isreali president has rejected Obama's idea as "indefensible". This is coming after years of fruitless negotiations initiated by the Obama administration.   We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) are not deceived. Obama knows how defiant Israel can be. Yet he knows what the US did in Iraq. He knows what America has been doing in Afghanistan for the past eight years to date. Everyone knows what America and NATO are doing presently in Libya. The whole world knows what is done to nations that defy world opinion. The truth is that Israel is sacrosanct, untouchable!   Israel has defied hundreds of UN resolutions without facing a single sanction. Almost all Arab countries promoting the cause of Islam are facing sanctions from America and the UN. Where then is the 'change' promised by Obama? The US is known for its jet-speed sanctions on Muslim nations. Yet no single sanction has been pronounced on Israel. Even ordinary UN condemnation of Israeli criminal action against civilian population is always vetoed by the US. Is this Western sense of justice? And, by extension, is this your democracy?   Obama's Thursday pronouncement is therefore calculated to placate Arabs and Muslims... a barren political statement. Obama knows how to add meaning to his statements. If Obama is serious about peace in the Middle East, then the US should sponsor a new UN resolution recognizing the pre-1967 boarders for Israel, create a buffer zone in the region and get NATO troops to maintain the buffer.   We have never heard of threats of sanctions against Israel for defying world opinion. Obama should not only threaten Israel with sanctions but he should actually impose it on that country as he has done with Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, etc. Why is it that only Arab and Muslim nations face Western sanctions?   On the other hand, MURIC finds the actions of Arab leaders ridiculous. They cannot even tell America exactly what they want. What a pity! Imagine how they divide themselves and allow the West to descend heavily on one Arab or Muslim country after another. It was Afghanistan day before yesterday. Yesterday it was Iraq. Today it is Libya. Tomorrow it is going to be Iran. After tomorrow.....? It is aggression ad infinitum!   We are waiting for the BIG ONE: the bombing of Makkah and Madina from the air and subsequent invasion of its territories (perhaps Britain or France will wake up one day and accuse Saudi Arabia of violating the rights of its own citizens, amassing WMD, torturing opposition elements, etc). They always have 'evidence'.   We have no iota of doubt that this has become a systematic, highly sophisticated 21st century crusade. The only way for Obama and other Western leaders to prove to us that this is not so is to treat Arab and Muslim nations with respect. As for now, we expect the worst from the West. Justice from that block will be a shocker.   Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

SHAYKH LEMU OR NO PROBE PANEL

19th May, 2011 PRESS RELEASE: SHAYKH LEMU OR NO PROBE PANEL     The northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected the appointment of Shaykh Ahmad Lemu as the chairman of the probe panel on the post-election violence which broke out in some states of Northern Nigeria after the presidential election held in April 2011. The probe panel was set up by the Federal Government to find out the remote and immediate causes of the violence.   We consider northern CAN's rejection of Lemu's headship of the panel a dangerous dimension. CAN hinged its rejection on the fact that Shaykh Lemu was one of the Muslim leaders who were behind the introduction of Shari'ah into the northern states of Nigeria. This position exposes CAN as intolerant, extremist, impatient and unforgiving.     We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) take CAN's position with a pinch of salt. By using this parochial barometer, CAN has introduced sentiment, religious bigotry and outright blackmail into the controversy surrounding the probe panel. Every single Nigerian belongs to one religion or another. In most cases it is either a Christian or a Muslim that is appointed to posts.   Does it mean that all the noise about the need for us to avoid using religion as a parameter is all balderdash? Was the whole exercise a CAN agenda ab initio and the rest of us were just fooled into believing that religious politics must be avoided at all cost? What was the crime committed by Shaykh Lemu that he should be disqualified from heading a probe panel? Now we know that CAN is neither tolerant, nor is it willing to learn to live with its Muslim neighbours.   CAN's argument that it was not consulted before the panel was constituted holds no water. It merely exposes its hidden agenda, namely, to constitute the remote control room on government's decisions. The post-election probe panel is not a Christian-Muslim affair. Was the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs consulted? Shaykh Lemu was picked on merit. Why is CAN turning it into a religious controversy? Obasanjo's government did not consult the Sultan when he removed Arabic from the naira and heaven did not fall.   MURIC will not allow any group, no matter how elitist, to strangulate the polity. We totally reject CAN's dictatorial mien. We assert clearly, categorically and unambiguously that Shaykh Lemu, like any other qualified Nigerian, has the Allah-given and fundamental right to serve his country in his area of competence.   We therefore call on the Federal Government to ignore the rantings of CAN and to go ahead with the appointment of Shaykh Lemu as the Chairman of the probe panel. We warn that CAN has stirred the hornet's nest and any attempt by the Government to bend to CAN's wish will show Nigerians where the pendulum of this government is swinging. Nigerian Muslims will not be satisfied with the replacement of Shaykh Lemu with another Muslim. It is therefore Shaykh Lemu or no probe panel.   Even the rationale for the probe panel is clouded in controversy. We nurse fears about the futility of probe panels given the history of such exercises in the past. The reports of many probes end up in the dustbin after the initial hue and cry. Secondly, we share the fear of a large section of the Nigerian populace that the present Federal Government as constituted lacks the moral right to set up such a probe panel because the government itself is deeply involved.   The violence was an expression of anger against the ruling party and the same party lacks the moral locus standi to sit in judgment or to set up a panel to investigate a case in which it has vested interest. How fair can a ruling party's probe panel be when the crux of the probe is violence which erupted in protest against its victory? Already, the opposition is alleging victimization.   To our mind, therefore, only a neutral and international body like the United Nations or the African Union can constitute a credible probe panel into the post-election violence of April 2011. Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

SHAYKH LEMU OR NO PROBE PANEL

19th May, 2011 PRESS RELEASE: SHAYKH LEMU OR NO PROBE PANEL     The northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected the appointment of Shaykh Ahmad Lemu as the chairman of the probe panel on the post-election violence which broke out in some states of Northern Nigeria after the presidential election held in April 2011. The probe panel was set up by the Federal Government to find out the remote and immediate causes of the violence.   We consider northern CAN's rejection of Lemu's headship of the panel a dangerous dimension. CAN hinged its rejection on the fact that Shaykh Lemu was one of the Muslim leaders who were behind the introduction of Shari'ah into the northern states of Nigeria. This position exposes CAN as intolerant, extremist, impatient and unforgiving.     We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) take CAN's position with a pinch of salt. By using this parochial barometer, CAN has introduced sentiment, religious bigotry and outright blackmail into the controversy surrounding the probe panel. Every single Nigerian belongs to one religion or another. In most cases it is either a Christian or a Muslim that is appointed to posts.   Does it mean that all the noise about the need for us to avoid using religion as a parameter is all balderdash? Was the whole exercise a CAN agenda ab initio and the rest of us were just fooled into believing that religious politics must be avoided at all cost? What was the crime committed by Shaykh Lemu that he should be disqualified from heading a probe panel? Now we know that CAN is neither tolerant, nor is it willing to learn to live with its Muslim neighbours.   CAN's argument that it was not consulted before the panel was constituted holds no water. It merely exposes its hidden agenda, namely, to constitute the remote control room on government's decisions. The post-election probe panel is not a Christian-Muslim affair. Was the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs consulted? Shaykh Lemu was picked on merit. Why is CAN turning it into a religious controversy? Obasanjo's government did not consult the Sultan when he removed Arabic from the naira and heaven did not fall.   MURIC will not allow any group, no matter how elitist, to strangulate the polity. We totally reject CAN's dictatorial mien. We assert clearly, categorically and unambiguously that Shaykh Lemu, like any other qualified Nigerian, has the Allah-given and fundamental right to serve his country in his area of competence.   We therefore call on the Federal Government to ignore the rantings of CAN and to go ahead with the appointment of Shaykh Lemu as the Chairman of the probe panel. We warn that CAN has stirred the hornet's nest and any attempt by the Government to bend to CAN's wish will show Nigerians where the pendulum of this government is swinging. Nigerian Muslims will not be satisfied with the replacement of Shaykh Lemu with another Muslim. It is therefore Shaykh Lemu or no probe panel.   Even the rationale for the probe panel is clouded in controversy. We nurse fears about the futility of probe panels given the history of such exercises in the past. The reports of many probes end up in the dustbin after the initial hue and cry. Secondly, we share the fear of a large section of the Nigerian populace that the present Federal Government as constituted lacks the moral right to set up such a probe panel because the government itself is deeply involved.   The violence was an expression of anger against the ruling party and the same party lacks the moral locus standi to sit in judgment or to set up a panel to investigate a case in which it has vested interest. How fair can a ruling party's probe panel be when the crux of the probe is violence which erupted in protest against its victory? Already, the opposition is alleging victimization.   To our mind, therefore, only a neutral and international body like the United Nations or the African Union can constitute a credible probe panel into the post-election violence of April 2011. Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

DONT ALLOW US BASE IN NIGERIA

15th May, 2011 PRESS RELEASE: AMERICAN BASE ON NIGERIAN SOIL: SERIOUS SECURITY THREAT     The United States is allegedly planning to site one of its military bases in Nigeria. The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is also reported to be favourably inclined to the plan.         The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) wishes to advise the Nigerian government not to push its citizens into a revolt in this transitional period. Nigerians are now better informed and they know the implications of allowing a world superpower to site its base within Nigeria's territory.   We are asking the question: Why must a foreign country set up a military base in Nigeria at this point in time? Who needs it and for what? Who benefits from it and how? Is Nigeria now a satellite nation? Have we turned the country into a banana republic? Has Nigeria been sold to the hawks? If so, who sold it? Is it a military base we need now in this country or food security, power generation, good health facilities, good roads, qualitative education, etc? Is this how we are going to be rewarded for voting for Goodluck Jonathan?   America has enough number of bases around the world and it already uses the available bases to assert its authority according to its whims and caprices. Its deployment of troops from its foreign bases has more often than not been arbitrary and unilateral thereby causing serious embarrassment to host countries and endangering the territorial integrity of other nations.   The arrogance and aggressiveness with which America uses its bases particularly after the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) have proved to the rest of the world that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The United States has exploited, misguided and abused the unipolar world.   US policy of rendition whereby innocent people are kidnapped and kept in its secret bases abroad to be tortured, debased and dehumanized run contrary to the principles of natural justice and constitute an infringement on the Allah-given and fundamental rights of mankind. Nobody is safe under the barbaric policy of rendition. People disappear without notice and they cannot be traced. This is usually facilitated by the proximity of American bases.   The use of unmanned drones which cause colossal collateral damage and loss of lives at no risk at all to American troops is cowardly, wicked and inhuman. Only a banana republic should allow such to happen in its own territory. America also uses its bases to thwart the United Nations' efforts and to impose its desires on the world body. The bases are also often used to humiliate nations and portray its leadership as impotent imbeciles. US troops have invaded weaker countries and kidnapped its leadership without the UN's approval. Though it claims to respect human rights at home, abuse and misuse of power are major characteristics of the United States foreign policy. America is a spoiled Goliath.    MURIC therefore appeals to the Federal Government of Nigeria not to touch the idea with a long pole. We call on the elected representatives of the Nigerian people to oppose any attempt to launch the country deeper into the jaws of neo-imperialism. We charge the Nigerian civil society to speak up now and to mobilize public opinion before it is too late. An American base in the country can be compared to sleeping in the house with a snake on the roof. Only fools dare where angels fear to tread.     Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace