MURIC ASKS NIGERIAN GOVT TO CONDEMN INDIA FOR PERSECUTING MUSLIMS

 

16th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC ASKS NIGERIAN GOVT TO CONDEMN INDIA FOR PERSECUTING MUSLIMS

 

An Islamic human rights organization based in Nigeria, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the harsh treatment of Indian Muslims by the Indian government. The group wants the Nigerian government to summon the Indian ambassador to Nigeria in order to lodge an official complaint against India and to warn the latter against further escalation. 

 

MURIC’s complaint to the Nigerian government was contained in a statement issued by the director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Thursday, 26th June, 2022.

 

The full statement reads:

 

“The Indian authorities recently resorted to undisguised repression of Muslims in the Asian country. Female Muslim students are denied their Allah-given fundamental human right to wear hijab. Muslims are killed indiscriminately while their homes are demolished for no just cause.

 

“Evidence abounds of the maltreatment of Muslims in India.  

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/prophet-muhammad-muslim-house-demolished-b2099590.html?amp

https://www-nytimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.nytimes.com/2022/03/15/world/asia/india-hijab-ban-schools.amp.html?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16553237186457&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2022%2F03%2F15%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Findia-hijab-ban-schools.html

https://www-devex-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.devex.com/news/in-india-hijab-ban-threatens-access-to-education-for-muslim-girls-103114/amp?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16553237186457&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.devex.com%2Fnews%2Fin-india-hijab-ban-threatens-access-to-education-for-muslim-girls-103114

 

“The failure of India’s ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,) to sack its spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, who blasphemed against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) confirms the complicity of the Indian government. We demand that Nupur Sharma should be sacked. Her mere suspension is sheer window dressing and the height of hypocrisy. 

 

“We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to set the machinery in motion for holding India accountable. We demand that the Indian ambassador to Nigeria be summoned for a tough reprimand. India must be made to realise that its cruelty to Muslims within its boarders is impacting negatively on Nigerian Muslims. Above all, it is generating internal tension. 

 

“We are deeply disturbed by the silence of Western countries over these inhuman treatments. The international community cannot stand akimbo while these heinous atrocities are being committed in India. We therefore call on the United Nations (UN) to stand up in solidarity with Indian Muslims. The Indian government must be held accountable for serially infringing on the civic liberties of its Muslim population. The UN’s efforts to establish peace in the world will be in vain if there is no justice around the world. 

 

“We affirm that Nigerian Muslims share the same umbilical cord with other Muslims around the world, including Indian Muslims. Those who are currently being persecuted by the Indian government are our brothers and sisters because the Glorious Qur’an makes it clear that the Ummah is one, ‘Verily this Ummah of yours is one nation’(Qur’an 21:92).

 

“We stand in solidarity with Indian Muslims. We feel their pain in all parts of our anatomy. We call on Imams all over the world to pray for Indian Muslims. We charge Nigerian Muslims to boycott all Indian products, including their films. In particular, we urge all true Muslims to stop their subscriptions to all Indian stations on the cable networks, including, but not limited to, Zee World and B4U Movies until the government stops persecuting Muslims and admits that Muslim Rights are human rights.

 

“We commend Muslim countries who have placed sanctions on India and its products. We call on Muslims and all men of conscience to embark on peaceful demonstrations in all parts of the world.

 

“On our own part in Nigeria, we hereby give notice to the Indian Embassy in Abuja to expect our protest letter as well as our peaceful demonstration. We implore the Nigerian Police to provide adequate protection for our members during the demonstration whose date will soon be announced. India cannot dehumanise our Muslim brothers and sisters without hearing from us.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern,

(MURIC)

 

MURIC TO ATIKU: DON’T PICK WIKE AS VP

 

14^th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO ATIKU: DON’T PICK WIKE AS VP

 

As the search for running mates takes the centre stage on the Nigerian political arena, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised the flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against picking the governor of Rivers State, Nyesome Wike, as his running mate. MURIC said Wike is one of the bigoted Christian governors who had been blacklisted by Nigerian Muslims.

 

This was contained in a statement circulated to the media by Professor Ishaq Akintola, director of MURIC, on Tuesday, 14^th June, 2022.

 

The statement reads:

 

“It has come to our knowledge that Governor Nyesome Wike is among those being considered as possible running mates for the PDP flagbearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. We deem it necessary to advise against this. Wike is an open enemy of Islam, a Muslim-hater primus inter pareil and an unrepentant mosque destroyer.

 

“The extremist remarks of Wike are still on record. He declared Rivers State a Christian State contrary to the constitution. What guaranty can anybody give us that he will not say or do worse things if he becomes a vice president. No, Wike should not be allowed to hold any post at federal level.

 

“Wike hates the sight of mosques and he is prepared to use or misuse his office to destroy all mosques in Nigeria if allowed to occupy any space inside Aso Rock. Wike is intolerant, unpredictable and violence-inclined. Nigerian Muslims do not trust him. He will definitely be a bad market for Atiku. His electoral value at the national level is nil.

 

“We therefore advise Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to avoid Wike by all means. He should go for a moderate Christian, not a fanatic. This should be a lesson for other politicians, particularly governors who are fond of using their office to persecute Muslims and undermine the religion of Islam. Nigerian Muslims are watching and waiting for them.

 

“Nigerians have a lot to learn from the way many political aspirants from Southern Nigeria dressed up in turban and babanriga in an attempt to convince people in other parts of the country that they are prepared to tolerate Muslims. Unfortunately it was too late.

 

Tolerance should be demonstrated in our day to day actions and words. Tolerance should be displayed in times of tension, not when we want political offices, least of all during electioneering campaigns. We should appreciate the variety of our cultures as a blessing and realise that we will need other people at a point in time even if we do not need them now.

 

“In the Nigeria of today, the true statesman is the one who can find loyal friends in different parts of the country, in all ethnicities and in all creeds.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern,

(MURIC)

 

 

MURIC TO TINUBU ON VP POST: CONSULT THE NOBLE DOZEN

 

11^th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO TINUBU ON VP POST: CONSULT THE NOBLE DOZEN

 

As Nigerians debate the suitable running mate of the presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised Tinubu to

consult the ‘Noble Dozen’, i.e. the twelve sincere Northern governors who stood by the idea of the transfer of power to the South.

 

The suggestion was contained in a press statement issued by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 11th June 2022.

 

The full statement reads:

 

“Nigerians are currently engaged in hot debate on the suitable running mate of the presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu. We will like to advise that apart from ensuring that the position of vice president in 2023 goes to the North, Senator Tinubu should consult the ‘Noble Dozen’.

 

“Those we refer to as the Noble Dozen are those twelve (12) sincere Northern governors who disabused the minds of Nigerians concerning the myth of Northern hegemony and a nonexistent caliphate oligarchy by insisting that APC's presidential candidate must come from the South. This was a great sacrifice and a noble idea.

 

“They demonstrated statesmanship, patriotism and nobility of thought by that action. Tinubu should leverage on the confidence they reposed in him and reciprocate by allowing them to pick a running mate for him. Of course they may suggest two names and allow him to pick one out of the two. This will definitely diminish the so called North-South dichotomy and further cement the unity of our great country, Nigeria.

 

“While we submit that credibility, integrity and competence must be the overriding parameters, we aver that the faith of the running mate should not be an issue.  If it has never been an issue in places like Jos, Benue, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, the South Eastern states and the South South where both the governors and their deputies have always been Christians in spite of the existence of substantial number of Muslims, why should it suddenly become an issue at the federal level?

 

“MURIC charges Senator Tinubu to remain focused on building a united, virile and progressive Nigeria. Though we have no special objection to the choice of a Christian running mate, it will be wise for him to allow the Noble Dozen to influence his choice. Once this happens, the same Noble Dozen will sell his idea to the whole North. That may also secure Northern votes for him. Democracy is a game of numbers, not primordial sentiments, not social media noise or the cantankerous cacophony of demagogic charlatans.

 

“Other Muslim candidates like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Kola Abiola do not seem to have the same challenge. Neither do Christian flagbearers. By the way, Christian flagbearers are free to pick fellow Christians in Christian-Christian tickets.

 

“In fact, future Christian presidential candidates should not have any qualms  picking fellow Christians as their running mates. Whoever does not like it should vote for another political party.

 

“That is true democracy. Candidates should not be forced to pick running mates against their wish. What is necessary is for all candidates to look for running mates who meet their vision and mission in the project to keep Nigeria strong, united and secure. We expect Nigerians to vote for pedigree, integrity and credibility.

 

“At this juncture, permit us, once again, to felicitate with new flagbearers of other political parties who emerged winners in the last two or three days, particularly the indefatigable young activist, Omoyele Sowore, a good friend of MURIC. We also congratulate him on his victory in the court case over intra-party squabbles. Sowore is a frontline activist. He is consistent. We have great hope in him leading this country whenever the opportunity arises.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern

(MURIC)

 

 

OTHER PRIMARIES : MURIC FELICITATES WITH KOLA ABIOLA, KWANKWASO, ETC

 

9^th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

OTHER PRIMARIES : MURIC FELICITATES WITH KOLA ABIOLA, KWANKWASO, ETC

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated the winners of the presidential election primaries in two other parties, Kola Abiola of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

 

This was disclosed in a statement circulated to the media by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Friday, 9^th June, 2022.

 

The statement reads:

 

“Kola Abiola, the first son of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, has won the presidential primaries of the People’s Redemption Party by a landslide. He defeated Usman Bugaje, Miss Patience Key and Gboluga Mosugu who scored 813, 329 and 263 respectively. Kola Abiola got 2,097 votes.

 

“The sole candidate in the national convention organised by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso was declared the presidential candidate of the party for the 2022 presidential election.

 

“MURIC warmly congratulates both Kola Abiola and Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso for achieving this great feat. We charge them to uphold the principles of justice, equity and fairplay in all their dealings.

 

“In like manner, we commend the chairmen of the two political parties, Alhaji Falalu Bello of the PRP and Boniface Aniegbonam of the NNPP for their efforts  and sacrifices in sustaining a multi-party system in the country.

 

“We also felicitate with Dan Inwanyawu of the Zenith Labour Party as well as other newly emerged winners of presidential primaries in the country. We wish them well.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern

(MURIC)

 

2023 PRIMARIES : MURIC CONGRATULATES TINUBU, ATIKU

 

8^th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

2023 PRIMARIES : MURIC CONGRATULATES TINUBU, ATIKU

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated the
2023 PRIMARIES : MURIC CONGRATULATES TINUBU, ATIKU

 winners of the presidential election primaries in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

MURIC’s congratulatory message was contained in a press release issued by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 8^th June, 2022.

 

“The results of the 2023 presidential election primaries of the two major political parties have shown that two giant political figures have emerged winners. They are Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

“We are particularly impressed by the brilliant, excellent and wonderful performance of the duo during the exercises. For instance, the APC flagbearer, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mesmerized other aspirants by scoring a whopping 1,271 votes as against his closest rival in the South West, Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who scored 235.

 

“MURIC congratulates Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We commend them for their reticence, dilligence and determination. However, we charge them to be magnanimous in victory, humble in triumph and accomodating in their hours of greatness. Finally, we charge them to work towards uniting the country.

 

“We remind both Atiku and Tinubu that as Muslims, both of them must pursue the coming presidential election in 2023 with a spirit of sportsmanship, fairness and tolerance. We urge them to allow the true teachings of Islam on peacefulness, truthfulness and honesty to guide their footsteps by eschewing thuggery, hooliganism, ballot-snatching and election rigging.

 

“Although the PDP did not abide by the principle of rotation, we give kudos to Northern politicians in the APC whose leaders unanimously stood by the unwritten principle of rotation thereby making it possible for a South Western candidate to emerge.

 

It will be recalled that MURIC had been calling for a Yoruba Muslim president for the past three years.  It was this show of solidarity from the North and their readiness to identify with our call that made our dream a fait accompli. We therefore see freedom in the horizon for the Muslims of Yorubaland who have for long been oppressed, downpressed and repressed.

 

“Finally, we doff our hats for President Muhammadu Buhari for resisting temptations to go autocratic in the matter of his party’s presidential primaries.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern

(MURIC)

 

ONDO KILLING: CRIMINAL, INHUMAN, NOT TRIBAL - MURIC

 

6^th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

ONDO KILLING: CRIMINAL, INHUMAN, NOT TRIBAL - MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has again totally condemned the killing of worshippers inside the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State which occurred yesterday, Sunday, 5^th June, 2022. MURIC submitted that although the attack was inhuman and criminal, it had no political, tribal or religious motivation. MURIC had also condemned the killing yesterday.

 

Today’s statement was also signed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, director of the organization. He said :

 

“Reports have reached us of a reprisal attack on the Hausa community in Ogwatoghose and Akure in Ondo State after the criminal and unjustifiable attack on St. Francis Church located in Oba-Oluwa Street, Owo in which many worshippers lost their lives. Although we issued a statement in which we strongly condemned the church attack, we are compelled to speak up again after the alleged reprisal attacks.  

 

“From all indications, it now looks more like a bandit attack particularly after learning that the attackers also kidnapped some people. Pecuniary gain may therefore be the motive behind the attack. The fact that the same bandits have been attacking both mosques and churches while killing and kidnapping both Muslims and Christians necessitates caution.

 

“The Hausa communities that are being attacked are also victims of banditry in their states. Those Northerners who have been attacked or who are already being targeted in Ondo State and other places are therefore not the culprits.

 

“The motive of the bandits is the money they hope to get from the families of their kidnapped victims. Churches, mosques, schools, trains, buses, etc are usually attacked by them because they see those places not only as soft targets but also as places where they can get large numbers of people. The higher the number of victims the bigger the expected ransom. They make their attacks as ferocious as possible in order to create fear in the hearts of people.

 

“It is therefore a reign of terror. Religion is out of it. In actual fact many victims of the bandits who were released after paying ransom have confirmed that these hoodlums know nothing about religion. Many of their Muslim victims who requested for permission to observe salat (Muslim prayer) while in captivity were beaten mercilessly for daring to mention salat in their presence.

 

“We call on the good people of Nigeria to come together against men of evil. We must know the difference between religion, ethnicity and crime. Let us not identify criminals by their tribes or their faiths in order not to hurt innocent people.

 

“Those who committed this atrocity inside the church have lost their humanity.  It must be noted that they are under the influence of narcotics. They are not even ordinary agents of Shaytan but Shaytan incarnate. Both Christians and Muslims must unite to device means of overpowering them.

 

“The information paraphernalia at both the federal and state levels should be set in motion to create awareness of the danger of reprisal attacks for fear of the bandwagon effect it may generate.

 

“MURIC reminds Nigerians that justice is a square peg. Vengeance is a round hole. The two cannot match. What you seek to get is not what you achieve and the cycle of violence can go on ad infinitum until it gets back to those who initiated it.

 

“Worse still, reprisal attacks may lead to war. Let us learn from Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan. Rockets are still falling on Ukranian infrastructure. It is painful watching the fast destruction of civilization on such massive scale. We therefore appeal to all and sundry to leave this matter in the hands of the security agencies.

 

“We are waiting for swift action from the Federal Government (FG). Compensation should be paid to the bereaved families. Those injured should be treated at FG’s expense while the cost of repairing the church should be taken up by FG. Besides, the state government should be forthcoming in terms of hospitality towards the victims’ families and trauma management by experts. They must be made to feel the presence of government.

 

“We advise the leadership of the Muslim community in Owo, Ondo State to initiate sympathy and courtesy visits to St. Francis Catholic Church. We must forge unity at a time enemies of peace have done their worst. Let us defeat public enemies with exchanges of neighbourliness.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern

(MURIC)

 

ARREST OWO CHURCH KILLERS NOW - MURIC

 

5^th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

ARREST OWO CHURCH KILLERS NOW - MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on worshippers inside the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. The attackers killed dozens of worshippers during service today, Sunday, 5^th June, 2022. MURIC has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the attackers.

MURIC spoke via its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. The statement reads :

“Dozens of worshippers were killed inside the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State today, Sunday, 5^th June, 2022. We strongly condemn this act of unprovoked aggression. It is inhuman, heinous, horrific and horrendous.

“We call for immediate arrest and prosecution of the attackers. We charge the Inspector General of Police as well as the Ondo Police Command to find the killers without delay. They must be pursued to the most remote corners of Nigeria. These murderers must have no hiding place.

“In particular, we implore President Muhammadu Buhari to order the Nigerian Army to get involved in the search for the killers. This latest attack is indubitable evidence of the existence of Boko Haram in the South West after their penetration into Niger and Kogi States.

 

“Going by Boko Haram modus operandi, we warn that mosques and more churches may be the next targets because this was how they started in the North. We therefore ask for protection for all churches and mosques in the region.

“MURIC sympathises with victims of this barbaric attack. Our hearts go to families of the dead. Our prayers also go to the wounded and their dependants. We stand in solidarity with the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in this hour of deep sadness”.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern

(MURIC)