NAME TRAIN STATION AFTER FANI KAYODE SNR – MURIC

 

24^th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

NAME TRAIN STATION AFTER FANI KAYODE SNR – MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has asked the Federal Government (FG) to name a train station after the former Deputy Premier of Western Nigeria, late Chief Remi Ade Fani-Kayode, father of Chief Femi Fani Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation.

 

MURIC argued that the former Deputy Premier deserves the honour more than some of those already given by virtue of the highly esteemed position held by him and the sacrifices he made for Nigeria.

 

The idea was muted on Friday, 24^th June, 2022 by the director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

His full statement reads:

 

“It has come to our notice that the name of Chief Remi Ade Fani-Kayode is conspicuously missing among the names of those honoured with train station nomenclatures by the Federal Government (FG). Chief Fani-Kayode was the Deputy Premier of the whole Western Region from 1963 to 1966.

 

“He was a legal luminary of great measure and one of the earliest crown counsels to the Queen of England. Fani-Kayode (Snr) played a major role in Nigeria’s legal history. Not only that, he was one of the leading dramatis personnae in the struggle for independence and a major character in the Nigerian political landscape from 1940 to 1995.

 

“Fani-Kayode demonstrated uncommon courage in his political career. He fought against autocratic leadership and feudalistic royalty. His followers loved him passionately. Above all, he was a categorically detribalised Nigerian who did everything possible to keep Nigeria strong and united.

 

“In this regard, he joined Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the region’s premier who was also a great patriot and unequalled nationalist, to forge a coalition with the mainstream political party in the North in order to promote national unity. This is his major contribution.

 

“The parameter employed in picking those to be honoured by FG by naming train stations after them remains monumentally flawed if such a great hero is left out. It remains lopsided. If names like Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (Papalanto Station), Olusegun Osoba (Olodo Station) and Mobolaji Johnson (Ebute Metta Station) who held office or featured only at state level appear at our train stations, why shouldn’t that of the great Fani-Kayode appear at one of our stations as a memorabilia for his immense contribution to the political and legal development of this country.

 

“We affirm without any fear of contradiction that Chief Fani-Kayode (Snr) is one of Nigeria’s heroes. He deserves to be honoured like many others. It is unfair to leave him out where others are honoured particularly when most of those honoured are still alive and holding public offices. We should honour our heroes past too just as we honour those who are still alive so that those coming behind us may honour us.

 

“The former Deputy Premiere deserves it even more than some of those already given by virtue of the highly esteemed position held by him and the sacrifices he made for Nigeria. His constituency at that time was the whole Western region which contained six states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti) and the deputy premier of the whole Western Region at that time held a position higher than that of a state governor. He can actually be compared to someone controlling two states.

 

 

“We therefore demand the naming of a train station in Nigeria’s South Western hemisphere after the Deputy Premier of the old Western Nigeria, Chief Victor Babaremilekun Adetokunbo Fani-Kayode. It will be a honour well deserved.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern,

(MURIC)

 

IMPEACHMENT: VOTE OUT MAKINDE IN 2023 – MURIC

 

21^st June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

IMPEACHMENT: VOTE OUT MAKINDE IN 2023 – MURIC

 

The Oyo State House of Assembly has served an impeachment notice on the deputy governor of the state, Engr Rauf Olaniyan. However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has picked holes in the move. The human rights organization has also called on Muslims in the state to vote out the governor for his anti-Muslim activities.

 

This was contained in a statement circulated among the media by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday, 21^st June, 2022.

 

The statement reads in full:

 

“The Oyo State House of Assembly last week served an impeachment notice on the deputy governor of the state, Engr Rauf Olaniyan. We reject this move. We are aware that there has been no love lost between Governor Makinde and his deputy. But the governor himself knows the true motive of wanting his deputy out of the way.

 

“We put it to Makinde that his desire to remove his deputy is religiously motivated. He wants his deputy removed because the latter is not on the same page with him in his Christianization agenda in Oyo State. Impeachment is therefore a ruse, Christianization is the agenda.

 

“The new Muslim running mate will also be used and dumped like Olaniyan. Makinde cannot stomach the company of a deputy who does not share his vision of exclusionism targeted at Muslims. The new running mate will also be benched

He will also be benched when the governor is done with him and it is the same feeding-bottle lawmakers that will be used to get rid of him.

 

“Makinde intends to run an Alpha and Omega system where Muslim deputies will be changed at will. This is his own way of protecting his anti-Muslim policy where the evangelisation of the school system will continue unchallenged  with undue preference given to Kollendar crusaders to access the state schools and students indiscriminately

 

“It is also his own way of continuing the unjust, unlawful, illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional denial of Allah-given fundamental human rights of Muslims to timely promotion for Muslim judges in the state despite merit and due qualifications.

 

“Equally noteworthy is Makinde’s deliberate cancellation of the Muslim Hijrah holiday ab initio without due consultation and the imbalance in appointments of commissioners at the inception of the administration.  

 

“In the education sector, the imports of Makinde’s deliberate exclusion of teachers of Arabic and Islamic studies in the teachers recruitment exercise, deliberate inclusion of CRS content in employment interview questions to put Muslim candidates at a disadvantage, deliberate selection of missionary-named schools for rehabilitation in the special school remodeling project have not been lost on Oyo State Muslims.

 

“But it is in the discrimination against, harassment and intimidation of Muslim girls in hijab by recalcitrant principals in some schools in the state that Makinde has out-Heroded King Herod.

 

“Makinde’s anti-Muslim policies, actions and inactions are too many to mention. But he is not done yet. After impoverishing the Muslim population in the state by robbing them of political offices, after denying Muslim children of their much loved Arabic and Islamic education, after exposing female Muslim students to intimidation and coercion and their parents to pain and anguish, he wants to bring down the sledge-hammer on his Muslim deputy.

 

“It was Ian Flemming, author of the James Bond series, who once wrote, ‘Once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, the third time is enemy action’. The governor’s anti-Muslim antics have long become enemy action against Muslims of Oyo State.

 

“This is why the Muslims of Oyo State have only one option left and that is to ensure that their oppressor does not return in 2023 for a second term of injustice, a second term of oppression and a second term of downpression of Muslims under him. Makinde must be voted out. He has misused and outlived his mandate. Oyo State Muslims will speak to him in the only language understood by oppressive governors.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern,

(MURIC)

 

MURIC HAILS SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON HIJAB

 

17^th June, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC HAILS SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON HIJAB

 

A Muslim rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has hailed the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria for upholding the sanctity and constitutionality of hijab. In a judgement delivered yesterday, Thursday, 16^th June, 2022, the Supreme Court approved the use of hijab.

 

MURIC’s message which was dated 17^th June, 2022, was signed by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The full statement reads :

 

“The Supreme Court of Nigeria in its judgement yesterday, Thursday, 16^th June, 2022, approved the use of hijab by Muslim students. The apex court dismissed the appeal by the Lagos State Government and upheld the earlier judgement of the Court of Appeal which held that the ban on hijab was discriminatory against Muslim students.

 

“The court upheld that the ban violated the Muslim students’ rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, the dignity of human persons and freedom from discrimination guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (https://punchng.com/breaking-supreme-court-upholds-use-of-hijab-in-lagos-schools/).

 

“Seven justices of the Supreme Court sat on the matter. Five of them supported the judgement while two opposed it. The lead judgement was read by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Other justices on the panel were Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Justice John Inyang Okoro, Justice Uwani Aji, Justice Mohammed Garba, Justice Tijjani Abubakar and Justice Emmanuel Agim.

“This is the moment of truth. Divine truth has overwhelmed social truth. No matter how long, truth will prevail in the end. MURIC hails this judgement. We salute the courage of the honourable justices who stood by the sanctity of the Constitution and the inviolability of our font et origo.

“Once again, this pronouncement has infused hope in the Nigerian judiciary. The justices have refused to be swayed by religious sentiment. They stuck to the facts of the case and relied on the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution. This is evident in the constitution of the panel: only three of them are Muslims while the remaining four are Christians. Yet five of them were in favour.

“We call on the Lagos State Government (LASG) to immediately implement the letter and spirit of this judgement. It becomes imperative for LASG to issue a circular on the approval of hijab in all its public schools without any delay. MURIC had earlier demanded the issuance of this circular but LASG ignored our demand to date.

 

“But the highest court in the land has now spoken and LASG cannot afford to delay it because this is a constitutional matter and an issue of great public interest. Had it been freely given had been good, but it has been delayed until the victims of oppression and persecution can no longer express gratitude to LASG for having their Allah-given fundamental human rights restored by the Supreme Court.

 

“Let this serve as an eye-opener and a warning to religious fanatics and Muslim-haters wherever they may be, particularly those who often snatch the hijab from the heads of female Muslim students in public, those who have been humiliating our daughters and those who have been beating them mercilessly. Judgement day is here.

 

"We can see the doors of South West prisons opening to admit culprits of contempt of this Supreme Court pronouncement. Afterall, it is well known that there is no appeal for Supreme Court judgement. It is the last bus stop. All public school authorities, hardliner principals, classroom teachers in Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, etc, are advised to take note.

 

“We give thanks to Almighty Allah, the Most Powerful, the Wisest, the Greatest, the Inimitable, the Indefatigable, the Invincible, the Judge of all judges, King of all kings and Master of all masters. We reaffirm our faith in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him).

 

“MURIC congratulates Nigerian Muslims, particularly all Islamic organisations in the country. Special encomiums go to the team of Muslim lawyers who fought the case. They are our frontline soldiers. We salute their tenacity. We pray that Allah will reward them in this world and in the Hereafter. It has been a hard-won victory and a long road to triumph.

 

“Before we lift our fingers from the keyboard, we dedicate this victory to the undisputed leader of Nigerian Muslims, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’d Abubakar for his wise counsel and his unwavering belief in peaceful approach at all times. We thank Allah that this victory came in his lifetime.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern,

(MURIC)

 

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)