14th
October, 2021
PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC TO FG : DON’T EJECT MUSLIMS FROM ISLAMIC CITY
An Islamic
group, the Zumratul Jamiu Mumin Society of Nigeria (ZJM), has cried out over plans
by the Federal Government (FG) to forcefully eject thousands of its members from
their settlement at the Pakuro-Lotto axis of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has intervened to stop the
planned evacuation. MURIC in a statement by its director and founder, Professor
Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday, 14th October, 2021, described the
attempt to evict the Muslims as unjust, illegal, unlawful, illegitimate and
unconstitutional.
The statement reads :
“We have it on
good authority that the Federal Government (FG) plans to forcefully eject thousands of members
of the Zumratul Jamiu Mumin Society of Nigeria (ZJM) from their Islamic City at
the Pakuro-Lotto axis of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The planned
evacuation is ostensibly for the purpose of an interchange and flyover which
will be handled by Julius Berger.
“We strongly condemn the attempt to evict the only
Muslim settlement on Lagos Ibadan Expressway when there are several Christian
encampments along the same expressway. The Islamic City is being deliberately
targeted in order to turn the Expressway into a Christian monopoly. It runs
counter to the laws of natural justice. It is unjust, illegal, unlawful,
illegitimate and unconstitutional.
“By the way, why is the planned
construction designed to eliminate the Islamic City when two Christian groups
also exist in the same place? The Islamic City is situated between the Redeemed
Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Deeper Life Bible Church. Why didn’t the
plan affect either of them? Why pick on the Islamic City alone?
“We smell a rat. Already, members of
the Islamic organization have fingered the Vice President, Professor Yemi
Osinbajo, for waging a proxy war against the Islamic City on behalf of the
Redeemed Church where he is also a pastor. MURIC considers this as a mere
allegation which is yet to be substantiated. But the VP Osinbajo has a duty to
clear his name. His office has all the chance in the world to prove his
innocence or involvement as the case may be. Is it true that VP Osinbajo is
using federal might to influence the eviction of Muslims from their Islamic
City?
“It is rumoured that the Redeemed Camp is not comfortable being so close
to thousands of Muslims residing in the Islamic City. It is also a fact that
the Redeemed Camp turned back hijab-wearing female Muslim candidates who came
to check their examination centers inside the camp not too long ago. This is an
act of religious intolerance. It appears that the mere sight of Muslims is
somehow worrisome to leaders of the Redeemed group and the Islamic City has to simply
‘disappear’ because of this.
“But the VP cannot afford to provoke Muslims in the South West at a time
he is being projected as a likely presidential candidate come 2023. Or is this
part of what Yoruba Muslims should expect in an Osinbajo presidency? Can
Osinbajo win in Yorubaland as a presidential candidate without Yoruba Muslim
votes? Concerned Muslims in Yorubaland are waiting to hear the VP’s side of the
eviction story.
“By the way, why is the planned
interchange designed to affect the Islamic City alone in a location hosting three
religious groups? Why is the construction not affecting all the three? Are the
engineers free from external pressure? Was the original design tampered with to
favour the Redeemed Camp and Deeper Life?
“We call for an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the
preparation of the design, the extent of probable external influence and the
level of adherence to professional ethics in this project.
“MURIC will not stand akimbo while Muslims are exposed to humiliation
and untold suffering. Evicting thousands of Muslims from the Islamic City will
herald a huge humanitarian crisis. This should be avoided at all cost.
“We advise FG to tread with caution regarding the planned interchange
and overhead bridge. Constructions must carry some human face. Julius Berger
engineers need to take a second look at the design.
“Members of the Islamic organization have lived on the six (6) acres of
land under their leader, Shaykh Abdul Raheem Bello, for 30 years. It is quite
odd for Berger to suddenly come and start demolishing their homes, schools, mosques
and cemeteries.
“We suggest dialogue as a way out.
The Ministry of Works can invite Julius Berger engineers, representatives of
the Islamic City and notable Muslim engineers for dialogue. The Zumratul
Jamiu Mumin Society of Nigeria (ZJM) is not known for violence or controversy.
It is a quiet and peace-loving organization with members spread all over
Yorubaland.
“An engineering redesign
of the interchange is still possible. The redesign may extend to the land belonging
to the Islamic City, the Redeemed Camp and/or Deeper Life in order to remove
the impression that Islamic City alone was targeted.
“This will ensure that justice is not only done
but seen as having been done. It will also be a win-win situation for FG in the
acquisition of Roads Right of Way for the proposed interchange or Grade
Separation of Vehicular Traffic Units (which necessarily includes at least a flyover).”
Professor Ishaq
Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC)
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