ATTACK ON MOSQUE IN IFE: MURIC APPEALS FOR PEACE

 

31^st March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

ATTACK ON MOSQUE IN IFE: MURIC APPEALS FOR PEACE 

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to the people of Ile Ife to allow peace to reign. The appeal followed an attack on Muslims inside Idi Omo Mosque, Ilare, Ile Ife yesterday, Thursday, 30^th March, 2023 where four people were seriously injured following a curfew imposed by Oro traditional worshippers.

 

 

MURIC’s appeal came through the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said : 

 

 

“Muslims conducting tafsir (exegesis of the Glorious Qur’an) inside Idi Omo Mosque, Ilare, Ile Ife were attacked by Oro traditional worshippers yesterday, Thursday, 30^th March, 2023 inside the Idi Omo Mosque, Ilare, Ile Ife, Osun State. Four Muslims were seriously injured in the attack.

 

 

“Among the injured were the Imam of the mosque, Abdul Lateef Adesiyan who had cutlass cuts all over his head and face. Mr. Abdullah Abdul Wahab and two other Muslims were also severely wounded.

 

 

“The attack was sequel to a curfew imposed on the town by Oro traditional worshippers on Thursday, 30^th March, 2023 from 1 – 7 pm. The Oro adherents invaded Idi Omo Mosque where Muslims were conducting tafsir for violating their curfew. Tafsir by Muslims is very common and well known during Ramadan.

 

 

“MURIC appeals to the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, as the Chief Security Officer in the state to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order. We also urge the Commissioner of Police and the Area Commander to do the needful. The attackers must be apprehended and prosecuted in the interest of peace.

 

 

“We remind the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) that no religious group has the right to impose a unilateral curfew on people of other faiths. Chapter 4, Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended 2011) stipulates that every Nigerian is entitled to move freely throughout the country. Therefore, Oro worshippers have no right under the law to unilaterally impose a curfew in a multireligious community.

 

 

“Only the state government on the advice of the state commissioner of police can impose curfew but even then, the curfew must be based on negative security report. The curfew imposed by Oro worshippers on the city of Ife on Thursday 30^th March, 2023 was therefore illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional.

 

 

“Legal precedent occurred in Ipokia High Court where the Chief Judge ruled on 30th January, 2018 that Oro cultists have no constitutional rights to impose any curfew on the general populace and that such action is illegal. This judgement became stare decisi since it was not challenged at a higher court.

 

 

“Nonetheless, we appeal to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi , Ojaja II, to wade into the matter. As a human rights group whose motto is ‘Dialogue, No Violence’, we believe the issue can still be resolved peacefully through dialogue. The people of Ile Ife have peacefully coexisted for decades, they should not allow religious extremism or differences to throw the community into crisis.

 

 

“Finally, MURIC appeals to the Muslim community in the great ancient town, particularly the youth, to follow the words of the Glorious Qur’an which counsels against retaliation. It says, ‘Good and evil cannot be equal. Repel evil with what is better and you will see that the one that was your enemy before will become like a devoted friend (Qur’an 41:34).”

 

#NoToReligiousWar

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

JAMB MUST SANCTION CANNANLAND, COVENANT, FOR DELAYING HIJAB-CLAD GIRLS EXAM – MURIC

 

30^th March , 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

JAMB MUST SANCTION CANNANLAND, COVENANT, FOR DELAYING HIJAB-CLAD GIRLS EXAM – MURIC    

 

A call has gone to the authorities of the Joint Admissions Matriculations Board (JAMB) to sanction Canaanland and Covenant University, both in Otta, Ogun State, for disallowing hijab-clad girls from entering their premises for today’s mock examination. The Muslim girls were delayed for 48 minutes while the examination was going on.

 

Making the call today, Thursday, 30^th March, 2023 was an Islamic civil liberties group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) whose arrowhead, Professor Ishaq Akintola sent a Save Our Soul Message (SOS) to JAMB headquarters before the Ogun State Chapter of MURIC circulated a press statement. The statement was signed by the Ogun State chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen  Jimoh and the state Secretary, Abdul Rasheed Olaleye.

 

The statement reads :

 

“Muslim girls who wore the hijab were today Thursday, 30^th March, 2023 disallowed from entering Canaanland Evangelical Megachurch, and Covenant University, both in Otta, Ogun State, venues of JAMB’s mock examination. We are in possession of the video clips which have gone viral. The hijab-clad girls were delayed at the gate while the examination continued inside. The delay lasted between 40 and 48 minutes.

 

 

“In the case of Canaanland, the students who begged for permission to enter were ignored until a parent sent Save Our Soul Message (SOS) to MURIC headquarters which sprang into action by contacting JAMB authorities as well as the Ogun State branch of MURIC. The SOS produced some result and the coordinator of the centre soon came with his car to ferry three hijab-clad girls into the exam hall.  

 

 

“The number of Muslim girls who wore hijab was actually more than that but about five or six had surrendered by removing their hijab after begging for more than one hour. Those who removed their hijab were allowed to go inside.

 

 

“Ogun State chapter of MURIC condemns this coercion, harassment and religious apartheid. We demand action from the JAMB authorities against the host communities, Canaanland and Covenant University. Those who cannot tolerate Muslim girls in hijab should not apply to host public examinations. Canaanland and Covenant have subjected Muslim girls to embarrassment, stigmatization and persecution.

 

 

“Both have lost the moral right to host programmes attended by the general public. Canaanland authorities should have given necessary instructions to permit all candidates regardless of their religion. We can only attribute its failure to do so to negligence or deliberate and anti-Muslim action.

 

 

“This is gross injustice. Those girls would have missed the entire examination if JAMB had not intervened. We commend the JAMB authorities for moving quickly to resolve the problem in both centres but JAMB must clear its name by sanctioning them. Only thus can we be assured that JAMB is doing its work.

 

 

“This hijab discrimination at JAMB examination centres has become a recurring decimal. We recall that it happened at Redeemed Camp and we reported to JAMB in October 2022. JAMB needs to inform the general public about steps taken to either warn or sanction defaulters and violators of its rules.

 

 

“We therefore demand transparency from JAMB on steps taken on such matters. For instance, the letter, if any, written to Redeemed Camp to interrogate the 2022 incident should be displayed. Ditto for today’s unnecessary, deliberate and unjust delay of hijab-clad candidates at Cannanland and Covenant gates. JAMB must tell Nigerians what action it plans to take against both defaulters.

 

 

“We cannot just overlook what has happened. The victimization of Muslims in the South West will continue until somebody is held accountable, no matter how highly placed. JAMB should address issues like time lost while the Muslim girls stood at the gate.

 

 

“Unless the girls are miracle workers they cannot measure up to their normal standards in an examination where they were subjected to emotional trauma for almost one hour before being allowed to enter. What happens if any of the affected Muslim girls should fail?

 

 

“A developing story just reaching us as we prepare this press release is another story of repression going on this morning at Covenant University CBT Centre, Otta, Ogun State, where several candidates who wore hijab were disallowed from entering the campus for the purpose of writing the same JAMB mock examination.

 

“JAMB authorities were also contacted in the Covenant University case before the hijab-clad candidates were allowed to enter after losing 48 minutes. The examination started at 7 am and they were permitted to enter at 7.48 am. Meanwhile all Christian candidates started at 7 am while the Muslims were delayed at the gate. Is this fair? Of course we made sure that our press release was ready by 11 am this morning because it is becoming too much for us to bear.

 

 

“This development will compel MURIC to seek legal redress in future against examination centres and the examination body itself. Any examination body that allows Muslim candidates to be subjected to undue hardship, embarrassment or stigmatization must be ready to explain itself in court, particularly if it is due to negligence.

 

 

“It is clear from today’s incident and similar ones in the past that Christian institutions in Nigeria, particularly in the South West have been actively pursuing a policy of stunted educational growth of Muslim children. Their goal is to ensure that fewer Muslims gain admission to tertiary institutions for obvious reasons. We urge owners of examination centres to realise that the world has moved on. It is now a global village. Nothing is hidden from the general public. The video clips of their shameful and horrendous behaviour is all over the place.

 

 

“Finally, we remind JAMB of the need to critique today’s ugly and unfortunate incidents at Canaanland and Covenant University. The code of conduct in centres should be made public while erring centres should be sanctioned. This is necessary to avoid a breakdown of law and order in future. While we appeal to Muslims nationwide to remain calm and law abiding, we assert that Muslims will not remain silent and inactive forever.”

 

#StopDiscriminationAgainstHijab   #LetTheMuslimsGo  #StopReligiousApartheid

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

CALL DATTI BABA AHMED, OTHERS TO ORDER – MURIC

 

29^th March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

CALL DATTI BABA AHMED, OTHERS TO ORDER  – MURIC  

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has berated the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed for making treasonable remarks on Channels Television.

 

 

The group argued that Datti Baba Ahmed’s speech represented a direct call for insurrection and military coup. This, according to the group, does not qualify him for a true democrat. MURIC called on all true democrats to protect the mandate given to the democratically elected duo of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.

 

 

This was disclosed on Wednesday, 29^th March, 2023 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

His full statement :

 

“The vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed made provocative and treasonable remarks on Channels Television station on Wednesday, 22^nd March, 2023. He said swearing in President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be tantamount to inviting the military to take over the affairs of Nigeria.

 

 

 

“MURIC takes this remark with a pinch of salt. It is reckless, despicable and irresponsible. It represents a direct call for insurrection and military coup. No true democrat should utter such a statement. It is a mark of desperation. The security agencies will be failing in their duties if they do not caution him and others like him.

 

 

“This transition period is very sensitive. Nobody should be taken for granted. Bad losers are toxic. They should not be allowed to pollute the minds of Nigerians. They are presently desperate because they know that their movement will fritter away in a matter of months unless they snatch power at the centre or cause a bloody revolution now. Allah forbid.

 

 

“Datti Baba Ahmed and his co-travellers must be cautioned for their several attempts to coerce the judiciary. The only lawful procedure for changing government is through elections and that has taken place. Any other method is unlawful, illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional. These people should learn how to respect due process and the rule of law. They should not be encouraging street demonstrations when the issue at stake is already in court.

 

 

“We call on the military to ignore the rantings of Datti Ahmed and his cohorts. No soldier should be deceived into attempting a coup d’etat. It is already out of fashion. Nigerians have seen its weakness and the world is sick and tired of it. Don’t even think of it.

 

 

“By the same token, we condemn the staging of demonstrations against the outcome of the elections. The demonstrations are precursors to the outbreak of violence. We have every reason to believe that they are being sponsored by Trumpists within the country, particularly opponents of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

 

 

“MURIC calls on true democrats who supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket ab initio, politicians, religious leaders, students, right-thinking ideologues, etc, to stand up and be counted. It is not over until it is over. We must speak up and take legitimate actions.

 

Ibn Taimiyyah’s poser becomes germane here. He asked, ‘If I remain silent and you remain silent, then who will teach the ignorant?’ We must rise to the occasion before insurrectionists truncate the best presidential combination Nigeria ever had. Observers will think they are right if it is their voices alone they can hear. We must not be caught napping. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”

 

#RespectDueProcess     #SpeakUpForDemocracy       #SorosokeForTinubuShetima

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

ALLOW MUSLIM SOLDIERS TO FAST IN NASI, JAJI – MURIC

 

28^th March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

ALLOW MUSLIM SOLDIERS TO FAST IN NASI, JAJI – MURIC  

 

An appeal has gone to the Nigerian Army Headquarters to allow Muslim soldiers who are on course at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji, Kaduna State to fast effectively in this month of Ramadan.

 

 

Making the appeal on Tuesday, 28^th March, 2023 was the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic rights advocacy group.

 

The organization said :

 

“Muslim soldiers at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji, Kaduna State, are currently facing challenges particularly regarding their freedom and ability to fast effectively since the beginning of Ramadan last Thursday.

 

 

“Whereas Muslim soldiers on course in NASI were exempted from the morning physical training and evening games in the past, the current Commandant has disallowed it by compelling all those on the course to do the physical exercise.

 

 

“Besides, the Mid-Term Physical Training assessment has also been fixed for tomorrow, Wednesday, 29^th March, 2023. This is an assessment that includes running for 3.25 kilometers with timing and rigorous exercises. This will definitely affect the performance and professional result of Muslims who are fasting.

 

 

“MURIC considers these exercises as impediments in the path of worship and an encroachment on Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslim soldiers, especially the right to fast in the month of Ramadan without let or hinderance. Needless to state that fasting in the month of Ramadan is mandatory for every Muslim adult as stipulated in the Glorious Qur’an 2:183.

 

 

“We call the attention of military authorities to the provisions of Section 38(i)&(ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees freedom of worship.”

#LetMuslimSoldiersFast

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

BRITISH ENVOY : MURIC BACKS FANI KAYODE

 

28^th March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

BRITISH ENVOY : MURIC BACKS FANI KAYODE

 

The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones, yesterday accused Fani Kayode of making derogatory remarks. The latter has reacted by accusing the diplomat of interfering in the internal politics of Nigeria. Meanwhile a faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has waded into the matter. The group alleged that Llewellyn-Jones singled out Fani Kayode for uncomplimentary name-dropping.

MURIC spoke through its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday, 28^th March, 2023.

The statement reads :

“The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones, yesterday accused Chief Fani Kayode of making derogatory remarks. The latter has reacted by accusing the diplomat of interfering in the internal politics of Nigeria.

“Llewellyn-Jones was quoted as saying, ‘Yes, let’s be specific, there were some people, like Femi Fani-Kayode, what is he saying and why is he saying it? I don’t understand.’

“We are of the opinion that Mr. Llewellyn-Jones failed to look at the big picture. He assessed the situation from very narrow confines and singled out Fani Kayode for uncomplimentary name-dropping. He can do better than that. The Briton definitely breached diplomatic decorum by mentioning Fani Kayode’s name in that manner. It is not done.

“The diplomat would have found dozens of politicians who used worse words before and during the 2023 general elections. By the way, as the spokesperson of a ruling party whose opponents were firing from all cylinders, a ruling party that was facing verbal halitosis and receiving vitriolic and odoriferous diatribes, Fani Kayode would be failing in his duties if he had kept mum.

 

“To that extent, therefore, what the diplomat had done with his unsolicited intervention amounts to holding the hands of one person while his adversary continues to rain blows on him. What Llewellyn-Jones should have done was to generalize without mentioning names.

 

“Mr. Llewellyn-Jones exposed the contradictions in his approach when he revealed that British diplomatic laws prevented him from mentioning the names of those five to ten people who have been placed on visa ban. He said, ‘We have a list, we are working through our list but we don’t publish those names. I know people say we should, but we have laws, and the law prevents us from doing that.’

“The question is why did he mention Fani Kayode’s name if the law prevents it? James Cleverly, the British Foreign Secretary should be interested in this angle.  

“Ditto for his veiled criticism of Fani Kayode’s party, the All Progressives Congress about which the diplomat said, ‘It is wrong from my perspective that he will speak on behalf of a party and that party does not distance itself from him and say stop doing that. It is wrong to say that.’

 

“The Muslim Rights Concern is concerned and greatly miffed by this particular statement because this is the party that produced a Muslim-Muslim ticket. We are much interested in that terrain if this is where the British diplomat is coming from. Otherwise why will a diplomat single out one party for the orphanage out of eighteen others that contested the general elections?

“It is quite obvious that Ben Llewellyn-Jones is yet to understand the political culture of Nigeria which is still undefined, unrefined and full of field mines. Ben has no moral right to pick holes in the way political parties are run in Nigeria when party leaders assemble in Downing Street during COVID-19 to wine, dine and hobnob when commoners were told to lockdown.

“We advise Nigerian politicians to stop dignifying foreign institutions unnecessarily. This is what we get for belittling ourselves. We asked for it. The rush for speeches at Chatham House must stop. Who did this to Nigeria? When will this colonial mentality stop? There are equally befitting centers where our manifestos can be revealed.

MURIC commends Chief Fani Kayode for calling the bluff of the British diplomat. For how long must Africans kowtow to the poohpooh of imperialists? It is demeaning to be threatened with visa ban the way kindergartens are threatened with non-supply of snacks and sweets.”

 

#KudosFFK

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)