RCCG LIED: WE HAVE EVIDENCE – MURIC

 

26^th October, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

RCCG LIED: WE HAVE EVIDENCE – MURIC

 

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) yesterday denied the allegation that it was disallowing Muslims from entering its camp along Lagos-Ibadan expressway to transact business in their banks or to check their WAEC, JAMB and other examination centres. An Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which brought up the allegation has accused RCCG of lying. The group said it has evidence to support its claim.

 

MURIC spoke again on Wednesday, 26^th October, 2022 through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, after RCCG’s denial.

The statement reads :

“We were shocked yesterday when we learnt that the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) denied our allegation that it was disallowing Muslims from entering its camp along Lagos-Ibadan expressway to transact business in their banks or to check their WAEC, JAMB and other examination centres.

 

“Why does RCCG take actions that it cannot defend? The securitymen at the RCCG gate refused to allow those Muslims to enter based on instructions given to them by RCCG officials. What is the world turning to? A place of worship should not alienate itself from truth. They called it fake news. What could have been the purpose of cooking up such an allegation? It is not in our character. What do we stand to gain from fabricating such a story?

 

“We expect RCCG to claim ignorance of the incidents, not to deny their occurrence. It is understandable if the guards at the gate did it out of overzealousness. It also makes sense if RCCG officials claim that it was due to security concerns and promise to ensure that it does not happen again. But this total denial is most abominable.

 

“RCCG’s denial is an affirmation of recalcitrance. It shows no sense of remorse. They will do it again and again and that is why MURIC will pursue the matter to a logical conclusion until RCCG owns up or it is sanctioned for religious apartheid.

 

“We therefore call on the examination bodies in the country (WAEC, NECO, JAMB, etc) to set up their own independent investigations. The examination bodies must take responsibility, otherwise they will become accomplices. Nigerians must be told if WAEC or JAMB examination is for Christian candidates only.  

 

“We also appeal to the press to conduct factchecks on the story. MURIC is ready to supply all available evidence to aid the investigation. RCCG lied. We have evidence. Those Muslim victims are still alive and kicking. We will make our evidence of discrimination against Muslim candidates and bank customers available whenever the safety of the victims can be guaranteed.

 

“But at least they will be available for interaction with journalists who are ready to guarantee their anonymity. This is necessary because there is evil in the land and tyrants are desperate for cover up. The more you look, the less you see.

 

“This ugly trend cannot be swept under the carpet by calling it ‘fake news’ as the RCCG spokesperson, Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi, just did (https://nigeriannewsdirect.com/rccg-denies-banning-muslims-from-redemption-camp/). We will partner with the press and the examination bodies to ensure that it does not happen again. It is a backdoor attempt to deprive Muslims of access to higher education.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

 

DELIST RCCG CAMP FROM EXAM CENTRES FOR DISALLOWING MUSLIMS FROM ENTERING – MURIC

 

24^th October, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

DELIST RCCG CAMP FROM EXAM CENTRES FOR DISALLOWING MUSLIMS FROM ENTERING – MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has accused the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) of disallowing Muslims from entering its camp along Lagos-Ibadan expressway to transact business in their banks or to check their WAEC, JAMB and other examination centres. The group therefore demands the relocation of examination centres from the RCCG camp.

 

The allegation was contained in a public statement issued on Monday, 24^th October, 2022 by the director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads :

“Our office has been inundated with complaints from Nigerian Muslims who have been denied access into the Lagos-Ibadan expressway camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

 

“Among the complainants are Muslims who registered for the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as well as other examinations. Attempts by the candidates to enter the RCCG camp in order to check their examination centres are always rebuffed by RCCG securitymen who turn them back at the gates with clear messages that Muslims are persona non grata inside the camp.

 

“The second group of Muslims who are not allowed to enter are those who opened bank accounts in some of the banks located inside the camp like Eco Bank, Unity, Guaranty Trust Bank, FCMB, United Bank for Africa, Zenith and Access Bank. This ugly trend has been on for quite some time but the complaints have increased in number recently.

 

“MURIC finds this development distasteful, disturbing and disdainful. It is interesting to note that this kind of stereotyping with Muslims as the victims is happening in Yorubaland. It is even more interesting to note that those behind this obnoxious practice are Yoruba Christians while the victims are Yoruba Muslims.

 

“Those who talk about religious tolerance being rampant in Yorubaland have therefore missed the point. Christians and Muslims who live together in the same buildings or those who work together in the same workplaces tolerate each other out of necessity. There are no clashes between them in those places because they do not bring their religion into their homes and offices. They relate as individuals. No more, no less.

 

“But the difference is the case in matters concerning religion where they operate as Christian or Muslim groups or as corporate entities. The same Christian teacher who lives in the same house with many Muslims without any problem is the same teacher who will snatch the hijab from the head of a female Muslim student in the school. Simply put, there is no religious tolerance in Yorubaland. That is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

 

“The reality is that Christians and Muslims in Yorubaland relate perfectly with one another as individuals, friends and family members but they have no respect or tolerance whatsoever for one another’s religion. However, it is the Muslims who are at the receiving end because Christians had the advantage of being in control of the paraphernalia of educational and socio-economic priviledges.

 

“The RCCG camp saga cited above is one good example. RCCG has used opportunities at its disposal to build a big camp on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. It has also equipped the camp with necessary infrastructural facilities including a university, schools, clinics, banks, residential houses, etc.

 

“MURIC acknowledges the right of RCCG to do all these but at the same time members of the public should be given access to them. Failure to allow that access robs RCCG of an important quality and role in social relations, namely, neighbourliness and service to the people. Afterall many other entities have such facilities and keep them open to the public.

 

“Or is RCCG replicating the obnoxious practice in apartheid South Africa where swimming pools and clubs hang bold signs outside their doors to warn off blacks? It used to be ‘Dogs and Blacks NOT Allowed’. Is it now ‘Dogs and Muslims NOT Allowed’?

 

“This attitude is most disgusting, most repugnant and therefore most unacceptable. MURIC will not stand akimbo when Muslims are treated with ignominy, contempt and utmost disrespect. Not even security concerns call for such treatment. RCCG is deliberately pursuing the same ostracization policy of Yoruba Christian elites against Yoruba Muslims in their midst. It amounts to gross intolerance.

 

“As a way forward, we demand, first and foremost, the relocation of all public examination centres from the RCCG camp. This camp should be delisted by WAEC, JAMB, NECO and other examination bodies for practising religious apartheid. However, any examination body that examines Christian candidates only are free to continue patronising RCCG camp.

 

“Any individual or institution that applies to examination bodies to host examinations must give access to the public, particularly the candidates. Anything to the contrary is arbitrary and alien to the culture of education. A situation whereby candidates of a particular religion are shut out of the premises of the examination venue is unfair, unjust and unacceptable by any standard.

 

“We advise Muslims to stop going inside the RCCG camp. It is private property where Muslims are not welcome. Muslims residing in the vicinity should patronise banks and other business concerns located outside the camp. However, we warn that banks and other business concerns located within RCCG camp may start losing their Muslim customers if they continue within RCCG camp. Our advice to the banks id to engage RCCG authorities in dialogue on this matter.

 

“Whereas RCCG has the option of using bomb detectors and conducting physical searches based on male for males and female for females method to overcome its security concern, it has elected to dehumanise Muslims seeking entry into its premises. This will remain on record for a very long time.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC HAILS SOLUDO FOR BANNING BETTING

 

22^nd October, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC HAILS SOLUDO FOR BANNING BETTING

 

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State banned betting institutions like Bet9ja, NairaBet, etc yesterday, Friday, 21^st October, 2022. He also banned gambling in casinos in the state. Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has hailed the move. The group described the governor’s action as bold, righteous and commendable.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, 22^nd October, 2022 by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads :

“The governor of Anambra State, Dr. Charles Soludo banned betting institutions like Bet9ja, NairaBet, etc yesterday, Friday, 21^st October, 2022. The ban also affected gambling inside casinos (https://saharareporters.com/2022/10/21/governor-soludo-bans-bet9ja-nairabet-other-gambling-services-casinos-anambra).

 

“We commend the governor for taking this step. It is bold, righteous and commendable. Soludo is exhibiting high level morality and undisguised discipline in governance. It will be recalled that he recently banned the wearing of mini-skirts by school girls in the state. He is demonstrating zero tolerance for lasciviousness, licentiousness and avaricious greed.

 

“The Muslim Rights Concern is showing interest in Soludo’s way of governance because his style conforms with the Muslim way of life. We will not be surprised if he does not drink and does not smoke. Soludo is promoting virtues, fighting vice and projecting righteousness. This man can clean up the mess in our society. He is a presidential material, ceteris paribus. Therefore, MURIC will not hesitate to support him at the right time.

 

“It is not about religion every time. It is about values, norms and orientation. Soludo is not a Muslim but a man who has morality and discipline deeply tucked in his curriculum vitae has already scored high marks in our assessment parameters.

 

“Some Nigerians have misunderstood MURIC. Our defence of or support for a Muslim is not unconditional. We will not defend the indefensible. We stood by President Muhammadu Buhari on the basis of his astounding simplicity and unassailable integrity.

 

“Some people misinterpreted this stand for support for Buhari’s political party whereas we have nothing to do with any political party. We align with righteousness, not political party. We promote transparency, probity and accountability, not primordial sentiments. That informs why we are singing Soludo’s praise today even though he is not in Buhari’s political party.

 

“We are not unaware that Soludo’s ban on betting in Anambra State was informed by what the state government’s statement called ‘a worrisome number of petitions recently received by the government concerning the manipulation of casino machines and non-transparency in payment for winnings.’

 

“What else should we expect from the gambling kingdom? The statement issued by the government of Anambra State confirms the belief of God-fearing people that the primary purpose and goal of indulging in betting and gambling are cheating, reaping where one did not sow and joining the get-rich-fast syndrome. Betting, gambling and cheating are like six and half dozen.

 

“Betting and gambling represent high tech fraud. They impoverish millions and enrich a handful. Too many people are made to suffer while only a few smile. It symbolises the height of man’s wickedness to man. Unfortunately those who receive the brunt are the extremely poor, the hungry, the underdogs and the homeless.

 

“The Glorious Qur’an 2:219 explicitly prohibits gambling. It refers to it as an abomination and a handiwork of Shaytan (the devil). The Qur’an classifies gambling and drinking of alcohol together. No wonder that the two often go together such that you find alcohol very close to where you find gamblers.

 

“Although there is no verse of the Bible that clearly bans betting and gambling, some verses still condemn the love of money and the crave for quick wealth. Proverbs 13:11 says, ‘Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.’ 1 Timothy 6:9-10 declares, ‘But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs’.

 

“We therefore call on Governor Soludo to go beyond finding a temporary solution to the nefarious activities of betting and gambling institutions in the state. Those two Satanic practices should remain banned.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC CONGRATULATES NEW EKITI GOV, SSG

 

17^th October, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONGRATULATES NEW EKITI GOV, SSG

 

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has congratulated the new governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) on his assumption of office. The group also felicitated with the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro.

 

The statement which was issued on Monday, 17^th October, 2022 was signed by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

MURIC recalled that Muslims in the state had been politically marginalised in the past. It commended the new governor for deeming it fit to pick a Muslim as his SSG. The group therefore described the Oyebanji administration as one which prepared to herald a new dawn. It urged the governor to strengthen his position further by running an inclusive government.

 

The statement added that both Muslims and Christians have a lot in common as adherents of the Abrahamic faith. It therefore advised Governor Oyebanji to appoint more Muslims into his cabinet in order to draw Muslims in the state closer to his administration. Finally, we implore citizens of Ekiti State to cooperate with the new governor in order to take the state to new heights.

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern.