29th April, 2020
PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC TASKS OBIANO ON MUSLIMS IN ANAMBRA
The governor of
Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on Sunday 26th April, 2020, gave
guidelines to the state’s residents regarding the relaxation of lockdown in the
state. However, an Islamic human rights association has criticized the governor
for focusing on Christians and church attendance protocol during lockdown in
the state to the detriment of his Muslim subjects.
This was contained
in a press statement circulated on Wednesday 29th April, 2020 by the
group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
“We are bemused by
the one-sided statement accredited to the governor of Anambra State on his
advisory to residents of the state on easing the lockdown. He kept referring to
churches and church leaders thereby giving the impression that he only recognizes
Christianity in his state.
“Obiano said and we quote, ‘With regards to
religious groups, leaders of the church should ensure that worshippers comply
with the standard protocols of COVID-19 which includes wearing of face masks to
church, use of hand sanitisers, social distancing and regular washing of hands.
“Church leaders should decide how best to
conduct mass and service in strict adherence to the principles of social
distancing to ensure that worshippers are not endangered. Please note that
there should be no crusades and vigils for the time being.’ (http://saharareporters.com/2020/04/26/jubilation-anambra-governor-obiano-relaxes-lockdown-churches-markets-open)
“Political office
holders should understand the complex nature of our communities. They should
allow liberalism to flow in their speeches and actions. This particular speech
of Obiano gives the impression of a governor who will not recognize the presence
of Muslims in his state, talk less of granting them their Allah-given
fundamental human rights.
“There are
implications in such utterances. They come from the subconscious. They reflect
the belief and attitude of the speaker. The question that comes to mind
naturally after reading the governor’s speech is whether Anambra is also a
Christian state. Is it like Wike, like Obiano? We are therefore constrained to
ask the governor, ‘Is Anambra State also a Christian state? Do you recognize the
existence of Muslims in the state? Who will guide the Muslims in Anambra
concerning COVID-19 religious culture now that you have refused to address them?
Are Muslims in the state safe under you?’
“We remind Governor
Obiano that apart from the large number of Northerners in the state, there are
thousands of Anambra indigenes who are Muslims. These people also yearn for his
attention, guidance and care in this difficult period. A governor in the
Nigerian context cannot afford to be governor of the Christians or that of the
Muslims alone. Once you are governor you are governor over the adherents of all
faiths. Obiano is the father of all in Anambra State. He should be impartial
and his guidance and assurances should go to all, not to Christians alone.
“We therefore call
for the governor’s understanding of the fears of Muslims in his state and
across the country. He should clarify his statement. If a governor mentions the
church in an official statement, he is expected to mention the mosque also.
Obiano is not a church leader. Nigerians know him as a political leader and a
sitting governor for that matter.
“For the avoidance
of doubts, MURIC has no apology for making statements like this. Leaders must
be interrogated. Democracy bestows the power of interrogation to every citizen
and even more so civil society. We have the right to raise questions. It is
democracy in action. Unfortunately what we have these days is parochial
democratic practices. The Nigerian society has been compartmentalized into a ‘four
legs good, two legs better’ environment a la Animal Farm. George Orwell must be
laughing his head off in the grave. Otherwise why is it business as usual when
some individuals and groups make sweeping statements and even threaten the
peace of the land but Muslims (particularly MURIC) must not even ask ordinary
questions without any hullabaloo?
“The aim of our detractors
is to portray us as extremists and terrorists. But they have failed woefully
because MURIC has never issued threats against anyone. We have never incited anybody
to violence. We have always promoted dialogue in keeping with the motto of our organization
which is ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’.
“Only a section of
the country can talk without being shouted down even by those who should know
better. The common dogma these days is that Muslims must keep their mouths shut.
Muslims must not challenge the status quo. MURIC must not ask questions.
We refuse to be intimidated. We will never succumb to the whims and caprices of
agents of neo-colonialism, political shenanigans and religious demagogues.
“Imagine if the
governor of any of the Northern states had said half of what Obiano said or if
President Buhari mentions mosques without adding churches immediately after,
all hell would have been let loose. But nobody said anything about Obiano’s
parochial utterances. They regard it as normal. We challenge this lopsidedness.
It is not democracy. It is neither helping civilisation nor promoting the cause
of humanity.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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