SUPREME COUNCIL PREPARES MUSLIMS FOR RAMADAN

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST BENEFICIENT THE MOST MERCIFUL  NIGERIAN SUPREME COUNCIL FOR ISLAMIC AFFAIRS (NSCIA)  NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA NATIONAL MOSQUE COMPLEX ABUJA, FCT ¾ 08036231533 / 08079365658      28th Sha'aban, 1433    18th July, 2012  PRESS RELEASE     COMMENCEMENT OF THE RAMADAN FAST OF 1433 AH     Prophet Muhammad (SAW) instructed the Muslims, saying: "Do not fast unless you see the Crescent (of the month of Ramadan) and do not give up fasting till you see the Crescent (of the month of Shawwal). But if the sky is overcast, count thirty (30) days of Sha'aban or of Ramadan as the case may be" (Narrated by Abdullahi Bin Umar)     Therefore in accordance with this Prophetic Tradition, Thursday July 19, being the 29th day of Sha'aban 1433AH, Members of the National and State Moon-Sighting Committees as well as other Nigerian Muslims should look for the new Crescent of Ramadan month. If the moon is sighted on that day, the under-listed Leaders should be communicated immediately:     His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto 08036470422  HRH the Shehu of Borno Borno 08037855555, 08023549558  Dr. Abdullateef Adegbite Abeokuta 08034020350  HRH the Emir of Gwandu Kebbi 08036154369  HRH the Emir of Kano Kano 064-631114, 633769  HRH the Emir of Bauchi Bauchi 077-542801, 543036  HRH the Lamido of Adamawa Adamawa 075-634449, 634822  HRH the Olukare of Ikare Ondo 08058014860  HRM Timi of Ede Osun 08037740390   HRH the Emir of Katsina Katsina   HRH the Emir of Zazzau Kaduna 069-332002  HRH the Etsu Nupe Niger 08039668707  HRH the Emir of Ilorin Kwara 031-2213218  HRH the Oba of Lagos Lagos 01-7767802  HRH the Oba of Agbede Edo 052-250153  HRH the Emir of Wase Plateau 08037042555  Chief Imam of Ibadan Ibadan 08062609601  Chief Imam of Osogbo Osun 08035740333  Chief Imam of Egba Abeokuta 08035028763  HRH the Emir of Kazaure Jigawa 08098121000, 08026806971  HRH the Emir of Suleija Suleija 08037006034  HRH the Emir of Anka Zamfara 063-36458  HRH the Emir of Damaturu Yobe 08088870415   HRH the Emir of Gombe Gombe   HRH the Emir of Lafia Nasarawa 08036140098  HRH the Emir of Nasarawa Nasarawa 08065115151  Sheikh Haroun Ajah Ebonyi 08033397491, 08053152722  Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Idoko Enugu 08036759892  Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Bauchi 08033058201  Chief Imam of Owo Ondo 08063104919  Chief Imam of Ipokia Ogun 08033827971   Alhaji Dauda W. Onyegocha Owerri 08063828218  Alhaji Mukail Asoquo C/River 08037122258  NSCIA Secretariat Abuja 08036231533 / 0803540120   Dr. Khalid Abubakar (Sec-Gen., JNI) Kaduna 08034531742        Chairmen of States Moon-sighting Committees:  v Alhaji Musa Otto Rivers 08037710930  v Alh M.B.Ahmad (Imam) Bauchi 08036080799  v Sheikh Sheriff Sale Al-Hussein Borno 08022195159, 08033140822  v Alhaji Mikail Etim Asuquo Cross River 08037122258  v Alhaji Garba Baba Benue 08037862666, 07082234021  v Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura Osun 08052101331, 07062653336  v Alhaji Engr. Ibrahim Adike Anambra 08037840873, 048482086  v Alhaji Badamasi Dodo Kaura Zamfara 07066665225, 08024333774  v Alhaji Yusuf Chinedozi Nwoha Imo 08036306922  v Sheikh Haroun O. Ajah Ebonyi 08033397491, 08053152722  v Sheikh Adam Idoko Enugu 08036759892, 07083523590  v Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Yusuf Plateau 08035835562  v Dr. Kamaldeen K. Oloso Oyo 08037168442, 08059229059  v Alhaji ibrahim Chima Abia 08032037478  v Mallam AbdulFattah Enabulele Edo 08058767058, 08034519626  v Ustaz Abusufyan Uche Bayelsa 08032516763  v HRH Emir of Damaturu Yobe 08088870415  v Kadi Ibrahim Babbawa Adamawa 08057160043  v Mallam Abdullahi Shuaib Lagos 08023037478  v Alhaji Tijanni Ughellivero Delta 080335474052  v Ustaz Musa Muhammad FCT 08033335254  v Prof. Aliyu M. Bunza Kebbi 08034316508  v Dr. Salihu S. Abubakar Kaduna 08037037898  v Hon. Kadi Salihu O. Muhammad Kwara 08035036591  v Musa Ibn Ibrahim Gombe 08054449928  v Mohammad Usman Taraba 08033159190  v Mohammed Gidado Jigawa 08036646410  v Yakubu Musa. H Katsina 08033217246, 08025502421  v Sheikh Mayaleeke A.R.F Ogun 08035050804  v Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Lemu Niger 08036005570       Where the authorities are satisfied that the new Moon has been sighted in accordance with the prescribed procedure, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, should be informed at once, for a formal announcement of the commencement of the Fast.     Wishing you all, a blessed Ramadan. Professor Is-haq Akintola,  Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974        234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter:  ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered

PRESS RELEASE ON YOUTH CORPERS

4th July, 2012 PRESS RELEASE: DON'T USE CORPERS AS GUINEA PIGS Many fresh graduates of Southern origin who reported for the current National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) recently were reportedly posted to troubled spots in the North. The fresh youth corpers staged a protest at the national headquaters of the NYSC, Abuja, on Monday. The protesters expressed fears over their postings to violence-prone zones of Northern Nigeria where a militant group, Jamaat Ahlus-Sunnah or Boko Haram has been waging guerrilar warfare against government and military installations as well as other civilian targets. We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) express profound shock at the action of the NYSC authorities. It is naïve, insensitive and provocative. Sending youth corpers from the South to this troubled area is pregnant with several impressions. It portrays those at the helm of affairs in the NYSC national secretariat as insensitive to the fears being expressed by parents and concerned citizens. It also gives the impression that corpers are regarded by the authorities as mere sacrificial lambs whose lives mean nothing at all to the NYSC top echelon.  In view of reported killings of corpers posted to those zones where Boko Haram insurgency is very active, the authorities ought to have considered the implications of sending young and innocent corpers to the zone. It is also heartless sending corpers to terra incognito particularly in these troubled times.  MURIC holds NYSC authorities responsible for this blunder. The Boko Haram insurgency has so far been the longest violent phenomenon the North has ever witnessed and NYSC authorities should have prepared safeguards and measures aimed at reassuring the young graduates and their parents.  The best assurance and greatest safeguard anybody can give in such a circumstance is to restrict the services of corpers of Southern origin to the South. Afterall, what is important is that graduates should experience other Nigerian cultures different from their own. So what is wrong with sending graduates from the Southeast to the Southwest and vice versa at least while the Boko Haram imbroglio still rages. NYSC can resume the normal postings on the return of normalcy. Even corpers of Northern origin serving in the North must be properly protected by the security agencies. But we know that the security agencies are only instructed to focus attention on government officials while innocent corpers are exposed to perils of unimaginable proportions. MURIC strongly denounces this attempt to turn our young talents into guinea pigs overnight. We therefore demand the immediate reposting of all corpers of Southern origin recently posted to the North. They should all be reposted to the South. We fear that failure to yield to this demand may result in loss of confidence in the NYSC scheme with its attendant consequences for which we cannot be held responsible. We charge the Federal Government to rein in the NYSC authorities. Any responsible government must be interested in the safety of its young and educated citizens. Jonathan's regime must not abdicate its responsibility. Professor Is-haq Akintola,  Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974        234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter:  ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered

RELEASE PRESS : INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY

23rd June, 2012 PRESS RELEASE INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY: PAY ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHT OF WIDOWS   The world is today marking the International Day of Widows. The United Nations (UN) in year 2010 set aside the 23rd of June every year to jog the conscience of the world on the plight of widows.   There is no gainsaying the fact that widows suffer untold hardship in some cultures where there are no welfare packages for them. In some cultures, widows are abused and repressed. They are deprived of their Allah-given and fundamental rights. They are compelled to re-marry relations of their deceased husbands or thrown out of their late husbands' houses into the wild world. Some innocent widows are accused of killing their husbands and made to undergo unbearable torture.   This is aside the severe economic hardship they face at widowhood. Widows generally have been endangered species for long. They are double losers in a world dominated by conscienceless power. The victims of the abuse of widows are not the widows alone but their children as well. The latter face multifarious socio-economic challenges. Alienation and abandonment often lead to anti-social behaviours. Seeing themselves as enemies of the public, the orphans join the rising army of social miscreants thereby causing crime to rise.   Today the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) calls for a halt to all forms of encroachment on the rights of widows. The world must end all discriminatory practices and witch-hunting targeted at widows. It is a crime against humanity to rob widows of welfare, joy and peace of mind after losing their husbands and bread-winners.   We charge people of the world to create space in their hearts for the love of widows and to show compassion towards them. MURIC asserts that all anti-widow practices are not only anachronistic, they are barbaric and inhuman. We urge all governments and institutions to put in place legislations capable of protecting Allah-given and fundamental rights of widows. Spouses are advised to create machineries aimed at preventing women from suffering in the event of widowhood. In this regard financial institutions should evolve special programmes to which living spouses can subscribe and from which women can benefit in the event of widowhood.   Finally, MURIC reminds governments and peoples of the world to pursue the path of peace and to do everything possible to avoid war and violence. Men who die in large numbers during war constitute palpable threat to the survival of women and children.   Professor  Is-haq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 08033464974 08182119714 Professor Is-haq Akintola,  Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974        234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter:  ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered

DEMOCRACY DAY MESSAGE

28th May 2012 DEMOCRACY DAY MESSAGE: NIGERIA'S DEMOCRACY IS A FRAUD Nigeria will tomorrow 29th May, 2012 mark the thirteenth anniversary of its longest and Third Republic. The First Republic which was incubated in 1960 but which began effectively in 1963 ended disastrously after only three years in the hands of an overzealous, parochial and unprofessional military in 1966. The Second Republic which began in 1979 was terminated by the same gluttonous, impatient, overbearing and tyrannical military in 1983 after just four years of civil rule. In comparison, the Third Republic which entered its thirteenth year on 30th May 2011 has therefore been the longest so far. We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) contend that Nigeria's democracy has always been a fraud and remains, to date, a monumental tool of deception. The first signpost of the insincerity of our democratic institution is the choice of 29th May of every year as the date for celebrating democracy in Nigeria. This date was picked by reactionary elements who were bent on eclipsing the historical landmarks of the June 12 1993 election which remains the fairest, most objective and most peaceful election in Nigeria to date. We affirm the sanctity of June 12 and urge progressives in the country to push for its recognition by the Federal Government. 29th May is a historical fraud concocted by conservative elements. It must be dumped into the dustbin of history. The high level of corruption in our public life and the celebration of mediocrity on the altar of excellence make Nigeria's democracy the biggest fraud anywhere in the world. It is on record that Transparency International named Nigeria the Most Corrupt Country in the world in 2003, Second Most Corrupt Country in 2005 and Third Most Corrupt in 2006. Today corruption has dug in deeper. The Jonathan administration in particular has greatly embellished the sceptre of corruption with its fraudulent oil subsidy imbroglio. The ruling party has institutionalised corruption into a hydra-headed monster with wide-open and mighty jaws swallowing up the social order. If democracy must herald transparency, probity and accountability, Nigeria's democracy is a fake institution. The political landscape is characterized by violence and electoral malpractices due to the fraudulent nature of our democracy. Whereas political scientists agree that in order to guaranty success, progress, peace and security, democracy must be fully participatory, Nigeria's democracy is selective. It ignited militancy in the Niger Delta because it ignored the welfare of the people in the oil-producing region. It elicited Boko Haram in the North due to the subjection of that region to perpetual poverty. Nigeria's minority elites exhibit a West-induced yet strong phobia for involving Islamic landmarks and institutions in our national life pari passu with Christo-Western institutions. The result has been religious friction and threat to peaceful coexistence. To cap it all, an extremely powerful centre breathes down the neck of the federating units, strangulating and impoverishing them in an equally fraudulent 'federal' concoction.  MURIC clearly, unequivocally and unflinchingly condemns Nigeria's fraudulent democracy. We warn that enduring peace will continue to elude this country until we make justice the basis of all dealings among ourselves. Justice is the soul of peace. No man born of a woman can deny one and enjoy the other. We call for a Sovereign National Conference to avail all and sundry the opportunity to participate in reforming and reshaping the future of Nigeria on the platform of fairness, equity and justice.  Professor Is-haq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 234-818-211-9714 234-803-346-4974 Professor Is-haq Akintola,  Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974        234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered

MURIC WARNS AGAINST RETURN OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

5th April 2012 PRESS RELEASE: ASSASSINATION OF OSHIOMOLE'S AIDE: MURIC WARNS AGAINST RETURN OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE Olaitan Ayorinde, 44, Principal Private Secretary of Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, was assassinated early yesterday. The Edo governor's aide was gunned down by a four-man gang who shot him in the head, stomach and chest in the presence of his wife.   Coming so soon after an alleged attempted killing of the governor himself and occurring on the same day that the latter was set to flag off his campaign for re-election for a second term in the coming June gubernatorial election, the murder of Olaitan signals the return of political violence.  Equally disturbing is the tension created in the State of Oshun where Senator Omisore allegedly threatened to attack the convoy of governor Rauf Aregbesola. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) roundly condemns the cold-blooded murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, a young, energetic and promising politician. We frown at the level of frustration that might have driven his opponents to draw blood. In the same vein, we denounce Omisore's unguarded and highly provocative outburst.  MURIC identifies a link between Omisore's threat to attack Aregbesola's convoy and the real 'attack' on Oshiomole's convoy. Omisore's threat may also have been a coded message to his accomplices and agents in Benin who staged the so-called truck crash into Oshiomole's convoy. The time frame between the threat and the 'crash' are close enough to attract the attention and suspicion of homicide detectives. We charge the police in both Oshun and Edo States to do thorough investigations. In actual fact we expect a non-partisan police and other security agencies to have invited Omisore for questioning on the basis of his threat. How can anyone threaten a sitting governor in that manner and nothing happens? Some politicians have demonstrated that they possess the noun 'murder' and the verb 'to kill'. We warn against the return of political violence. This is an ill wind that blows nobody no good. We urge the ruling party to rein in not only its enfant terrible but also the advocatus diaboli within its rank and file. Heating up the polity at a time when there are serious security challenges is counter-productive. The authors of 'do-or-die' politics are the worst enemies of democracy. Professor Is-haq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 234-818-211-9714 234-803-346-4974 Professor Is-haq Akintola,  Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974        234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered

BUK KANO ATTACK: HORRENDOUS

30th April 2012

PRESS RELEASE:

BUK ATTACK: HORRENDOUS, UNJUSTIFIABLE

Catholic church worshippers in a lecture hall in Bayero University, Kano (BUK), were attacked by about six gunmen who threw bombs and fired automatic rifles, causing pandemonium. About fifteen people have been reported dead.  

Coming on the heels of the bomb attack in Kaduna two days earlier which left about six people dead, the attack inside Bayero University is one too many. Once again, we of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) reiterate our unflinching condemnation of attacks on places of worship and worshippers. Such attacks symbolize total disrespect for the Supreme Creator and signpost an astounding manifestation of ignorance about the ways of God.

MURIC believes that those responsible for this horrendous crime have acted in contradistinction with the tenets of religion. There is therefore an urgent need for Nigerians to review their understanding of religion with a view to placing the latter in its proper perspective. We charge school authorities to place high premium on the study of religion. 

The attack at BUK exposes the ineptitude of the Nigerian security apparatus. This attack could have been prevented if those in charge had been visionary and imaginative. We charge the security agencies to be more alive to their responsibilities. Forward-looking protection manouvres coupled with properly coordinated intelligence gathering must be the focus of those in charge of our security. No loopholes must be allowed. In particular, all places used for worshipping by Christians in the North must be given full protection. In the same vein, security agencies must be on guard in places of worship in the South. 

We appeal to all stakeholders to exercise restraint. We urge the perpetrators of these attacks to lay down their weapons and embrace dialogue. For procrastinating on proposed talks with this violent group, MURIC holds the Federal Government responsible for this tragedy. Instead of listening to the voice of reason and creating an atmosphere conducive to ceasefire and genuine dialogue, Government has been threatening to eliminate Boko Haram 'before July'. The warning of well-meaning Nigerians that force alone could not guarantee peace in the present ugly situation was ignored. This official lackadaisical attitude is as condemnable as the bombing itself. Why is government wasting the lives of poor and innocent Nigerians?

MURIC charges the Jonathan administration to wake up from its deep slumber before this country goes under. The Nigerian leadership needs to understudy daily doses of dynamism being injected into certain progressive states by the governors. Nigeria seems to have situated in the centre what ought to have domiciled in a remote local government. That is why nothing is working. We jog the conscience of the ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) to show interest in the security of lives of ordinary Nigerians instead of seeking phantom secession in faraway State of Oshun. 

  

Professor Is-haq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

234-818-211-9714

234-803-346-4974

BUK KANO ATTACK: HORRENDOUS

30th April 2012
PRESS RELEASE:
BUK ATTACK: HORRENDOUS, UNJUSTIFIABLE

Catholic church worshippers in a lecture hall in Bayero University,
Kano (BUK), were attacked by about six gunmen who threw bombs and
fired automatic rifles, causing pandemonium. About fifteen people have
been reported dead.

Coming on the heels of the bomb attack in Kaduna two days earlier
which left about six people dead, the attack inside Bayero University
is one too many. Once again, we of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
reiterate our unflinching condemnation of attacks on places of worship
and worshippers. Such attacks symbolize total disrespect for the
Supreme Creator and signpost an astounding manifestation of ignorance
about the ways of God.

MURIC believes that those responsible for this horrendous crime have
acted in contradistinction with the tenets of religion. There is
therefore an urgent need for Nigerians to review their understanding
of religion with a view to placing the latter in its proper
perspective. We charge school authorities to place high premium on the
study of religion.

The attack at BUK exposes the ineptitude of the Nigerian security
apparatus. This attack could have been prevented if those in charge
had been visionary and imaginative. We charge the security agencies to
be more alive to their responsibilities. Forward-looking protection
manouvres coupled with properly coordinated intelligence gathering
must be the focus of those in charge of our security. No loopholes
must be allowed. In particular, all places used for worshipping by
Christians in the North must be given full protection. In the same
vein, security agencies must be on guard in places of worship in the
South.

We appeal to all stakeholders to exercise restraint. We urge the
perpetrators of these attacks to lay down their weapons and embrace
dialogue. For procrastinating on proposed talks with this violent
group, MURIC holds the Federal Government responsible for this
tragedy. Instead of listening to the voice of reason and creating an
atmosphere conducive to ceasefire and genuine dialogue, Government has
been threatening to eliminate Boko Haram 'before July'. The warning of
well-meaning Nigerians that force alone could not guarantee peace in
the present ugly situation was ignored. This official lackadaisical
attitude is as condemnable as the bombing itself. Why is government
wasting the lives of poor and innocent Nigerians?

MURIC charges the Jonathan administration to wake up from its deep
slumber before this country goes under. The Nigerian leadership needs
to understudy daily doses of dynamism being injected into certain
progressive states by the governors. Nigeria seems to have situated in
the centre what ought to have domiciled in a remote local government.
That is why nothing is working. We jog the conscience of the ruling
Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) to show interest in the security of
lives of ordinary Nigerians instead of seeking phantom secession in
faraway State of Oshun.


Professor Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-818-211-9714
234-803-346-4974











--
Professor Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
234-803-346-4974
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
twitter.com/muslimrights





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.