OGBOMOSO PALACE IMAM: IT IS DIVIDE ET IMPERA - MURIC

 

31^st August, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

OGBOMOSO PALACE IMAM: IT IS DIVIDE ET IMPERA - MURIC

 

The Soun of Ogbomoso yesterday appointed an Imam for his palace. But in a quick reaction, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the move. The group described the king's action as a subterfuge to weaken Islam, a stratagem to enslave Muslims and a chicanery to exploit the Muslim population of Ogbomoso. It urged the Muslims of Ogbomoso not to fall for the king's divide and rule tactics.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, 31st August, 2024 by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said further:

 

"The Soun of Ogbomoso yesterday, Friday, 30th, August, 2024 appointed one Habib Ayilara as the 'Chief Imam' of his palace. 

 

"This is a democracy, nobody can gag us except a competent court of law. Soun has had his way, Nigerian Muslims must have their say. Soun's most recent action is a subterfuge to weaken Islam, a stratagem to enslave Muslims and a chicanery to exploit the Muslim population of Ogbomoso. 

 

"Besides, the Soun has committed titularic inexactitude and monarchical hara-kiri by giving the title 'Chief Imam' to a man appointed only as palace Imam. There is no vacancy in the Chief imamate of Ogbomoso because there can be only one Chief Imam in a city of the caliber of Ogbomoso and that post has been filled by Chief Imam Talihat Yunus Olushina Ayilara.

 

“Therefore, the correct title of the new Imam is 'Palace Imam' Habib Ayilara. He is the king's special Imam, not the Chief Imam. Afterall, many individual Muslims are known to have separate mosque buildings in their compounds and they appoint Islamic scholars as their personal Imams.

 

"We warn the new Palace Imam to be wary of the king's tactics. He must not allow the palace pastor to mislead him. It is sheer divide et impera. However, out of meanness and pettiness, the king has made his private Imam the official Imam to be recognized by the Oyo State Government. While we know that Governor Seyi Makinde is more than a willing accomplice in this scheme to diminish the status of Islam in Ogbomoso, we patiently await the court’s judgement.

 

"Of course it is strange for a pastor king to have an Imam but since there is a mosque inside the palace, it is in order to have a Ratibi Imam (Imam of a branch mosque, not that of a Central Mosque). This is where the Soun has exhibited his zero knowledge of Islamic matters. Unfortunately those who know better and who should have counselled him, elected to dance to the gallery.

 

"Nonetheless, Nigerians must look at Soun's action as an attempted coup (an unsuccessful one for that matter) against the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso. It also constitutes an incitement of Ogbomoso chiefs against their chief Imam. It is equally seen as an intimidation of holders of Islamic titles and the harassment of the League of Imams into submission. Interestingly, it tantamounts to contempt of court when properly interpreted particularly if the court's pronouncement included maintenance of the status quo. 

 

"We urge the Muslims of Ogbomoso not to fall for the king's divide and rule tactics. Soun's subterfuge is designed to weaken Islam and to enslave and exploit the Muslim population. We know where Pastor Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso, is going. The body language is very clear. His aim is to make his palace Imam the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso.

 

"He has appointed a palace Imam but where is his palace bishop? Nigerians must ponder over this scandalous manipulation. His stratagem is to put his feet on the Chief Imam's neck. He is mocking Islam, playing Muslims against one another. It is divide et impera. 

 

"The destiny of the Muslims of Ogbomoso in particular and that of Yoruba Muslims is in their hands. They can only be free when they resist attempts being made to divide and debilitate them. But their method of resistance must be civilized, peaceful, lawful and constitutional.

 

"For us in MURIC, we will rather be free and totally committed Muslims in our graves than live as palace puppets, court jesters, sycophants, minions and slaves. We will not sell our full Islamic identity and religious freedom for a pot of porridge and crumbs from the palace table".

 

#Ogbomoso

#PalaceImam

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC CONDEMNS SHIITE-POLICE KILLINGS

 

27^th August, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONDEMNS SHIITE-POLICE KILLINGS

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the loss of lives including the killing of policemen and Shiite protesters which occurred during the Shiite procession of Sunday, 25^th August, 2024 in Abuja. 

 

The group spoke on Tuesday, 27^th August, 2024 through its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said:

 

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives including two uniformed policemen which occurred during the Shiite procession of Sunday, 25^th August, 2024 in Abuja (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/08/25/two-policemen-killed-as-shiites-clash-with-police-in-fct/).

 

"MURIC strongly condemns this avoidable loss of lives. Three patrol vehicles were seen burning in a viral video clip.  We denounce the burning of police patrol vehicles. It is criminal, unpatriotic and barbaric. True to our avowed motto, ‘Dialogue, No Violence’, we in MURIC are nonplussed by the level of violence exhibited in Abuja last Sunday.

 

"The fact that policemen in uniform were brutally attacked and killed points to the probability of the possession of lethal weapons or harmful objects by some of those in the procession.

 

"This runs contrary to the general principle of peaceful conduct, humility and the sacredness of human life as enunciated in the Glorious Qur'an. Chapter 25 verse 63 recommends humility, calmness and abiding by law and order for genuine servants of Allah. In like manner, chapter 6 verse 151 forbids the taking of human life except through established authorities.

 

"The victims of the Abuja violence last Sunday, both the two uniformed policemen and the civilians are husbands of some women, fathers of some children, sons of some aged and weak fathers, brothers, uncles and cousins to others. Without any doubt, some women have been widowed while children have been orphaned. 

 

"Shiites must not emulate hoodlums who are in the habit of attacking security agents and their facilities. It is only criminals who attack law enforcement agents because they never want the latter to exist ab initio. Any attack on security agents and their paraphernalia is also an attack on the Nigerian people whose tax monies are used to buy equipment for the police, the army and other security agencies.

 

"We are disturbed by the fact that the name of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria otherwise known as Shiites has become a recurring decimal in the cycle of violence between security agencies and religious groups. This necessitates a review of activities of the Shiite group in the country. 

 

"We believe that Shiite processions can still be peaceful and orderly particularly with police protection to avoid infiltration. But this is only possible if it is properly organized with police approval. Shiite processions and marches can only be lawful if the organisers keep marchers on one side of the road leaving enough space for other road users. On the Day of Judgement (yawm al-Qiyaamah ), Allah will hold those who blocked the road responsible for the deaths of women in labour, the sick being rushed to hospitals and other emergencies.  

 

"In this respect, the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘There is no harm or hardship (imposed upon you by Allah), therefore do not cause hardship or harm on anyone' (Laa daraara falaa diraarah). It is a wakeup call and the target audience is no other than the Muslims who are expected to avoid doing anything likely to harm innocent people.

 

"On the other hand, we are miffed by the use of lethal weapons on civilians by the police. The global best practices is for law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint, to use minimum force and to avoid possible loss of lives. 

 

"We advise the Nigerian Police in particular and all other security agencies in general, to be more proactive in the area of prevention of violence. We want to see evidence of pre-D-Day dialogue and persuasions between police authorities and groups who are preparing for protests. Given the publicity enjoyed by the Shiite march before Sunday, we expected the police to have been better prepared by mapping out strategies for ensuring a violence-free Shiite procession last Sunday."

 

#ShiiteSimmerDown

#PoliceNoteGlobalBestPractices

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

EMIR’S DEATH IN CAPTIVITY: SOKOTO GOVT OWES NIGERIANS AN EXPLANATION – MURIC

 

23^rd August, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:EMIR’S DEATH IN CAPTIVITY: SOKOTO GOVT OWES NIGERIANS AN EXPLANATION – MURIC

EMIR’S DEATH IN CAPTIVITY: SOKOTO GOVT OWES NIGERIANS AN EXPLANATION – MURIC

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded explanation from the government of Sokoto State over the death of the Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isah Bawa, while in the hands of bandits.

 

MURIC made the demand in a statement issued on Friday, 23^rd August, 2024 by the Executive Director of the Islamic human rights organization.

 

The statement reads:

 

 “The Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isah Bawa, was reportedly killed by bandits on Tuesday, 20^th August, 2024 while still in captivity. The late Emir was seen in a viral video begging ‘Brothers and sisters, friends and the state government’ to help him pay the ransom of N1 billion demanded by his abductors (https://saharareporters.com/2024/08/17/abducted-emir-sokoto-begs-help-captivity-terrorists-release-brutal-video).

 

“MURIC is bewildered by the sudden turn of events but we do not wish to be judgemental. We will rather demand an explanation for the tragic incident. Nigerians, particularly the good people of Sokoto State, deserve to know the steps taken by the state government from the day Emir Isah Bawa of Gobir was kidnapped.

 

“The death of Emir Bawa raises more questions than answers. We are talking of a whole emir for crying out loud. He was in captivity for three long weeks (https://www.thecable.ng/abducted-sokoto-traditional-ruler-killed-after-three-weeks-in-captivity/).

 

“Why did it take so long? What were the security agents in the zone doing? Who was assigned to coordinate the operation? Why was nothing done for a whole three weeks? What went wrong? How safe is the ordinary Sokoto citizen if a whole emir can die in this manner? How safe are the emirs of Damaturu, Argungu, etc.

 

“In fact, how safe is Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar? We are constrained to ask the security agencies in the geopolitical zone to up their game in the task of protecting the Sultan in particular and the remaining traditional rulers now that it is clear that the bandits have suddenly developed long throat. Doubling or quadrupling their guards will not be a bad idea.

 

“Everything necessary should be done to secure the freedom of the emir’s son who is still with the bandits as both the late emir and his son were reportedly abducted on the same day.

 

“MURIC appeals to the Federal Government, the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to pay special attention to Sokoto State at this point in time. The handwriting on the wall appears to indicate a shift in the modus operandi of bandits in the state.”

 

 #SokotoStateGovernment

 #SpeakUp

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC TO EDOGIS: STOP PERSECUTING MUSLIM WOMAN OVER

 

20^th August, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO EDOGIS: STOP PERSECUTING MUSLIM WOMAN OVER HIJAB

 

The application form of a Muslim woman who applied for a certificate of occupancy ('C of O') from the office of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) has been rejected because she wore hijab in the passport photograph attached to the form. 

 

Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called out EDOGIS over the treatment of the Muslim lady. MURIC describes the incident as another episode in the pandemic of Islamophobia that has swept over Nigeria in recent time.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

 

The full statement reads:

 

"The application form of a Muslim woman, Khadijah Al-Hassan, who applied to the Edo State Geographic Information Service' (EDOGIS) for a certificate of occupancy ('C of O') has been rejected on account of the hijab she wore in the passport photograph attached to the form. 

 

"MURIC strongly condemns the action of EDOGIS. This is another episode in the pandemic of Islamophobia that has swept over Nigeria in recent time. The stereotyping of Khadijah Al-Hassan over the issuance of 'C of O' is egregious, repugnant and unacceptable. It is religious apartheid taken too far. 

 

"The Muslim lady applied for her 'C of O' on 12^th December, 2022 and paid the required fee of N230,000. All her follow-up efforts yielded no results until May 2023 (six months later) when she was told that her application had been rejected because of the hijab she wore in the passport photograph attached to the form. 

 

"EDOGIS authorities have turned deaf ears to all appeals from Muslim leaders in Edo State, including the Chief Imam of Benin City, on the legal status of hijab. 

 

"MURIC appeals to the Edo State Government for intervention in this case. Edo State must not be allowed to become a home of pain, anguish and horror for Muslims. Hijab is part of Allah-given fundamental human rights of Muslims everywhere in the world, including Nigeria, but we are forced to cringe, shiver and tremble before we can be allowed to identify ourselves as Muslims in our land. Muslims are no longer free in this country. Hate preachers have turned Nigeria into a large slave camp for Muslims. It is worse than apartheid South Africa.

 

"The government of Edo State must not stand akimbo while Muslim haters and islamopbhobic elements use their positions in public offices to oppress law abiding Muslims by denying them the right to enjoy the dividends of democracy. We remind the state government that Muslims are also taxpayers in Edo state and 'C of O' is one of the rights of bona fide citizens of the state. 

 

"Besides, nothing in the laws of Nigeria or that of Edo State forbids Muslims from owning landed property. Unless something is done urgently to address the issue, we will be led to believe that Edo State has a clandestine agenda to outlaw Muslims in the state from possessing landed property, thereby unleashing a policy of deliberate impoverisation and vagabondisation on the Muslim populace."

 

#EdoStateGovernment

#EDOGISHijabGate

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

EL-RUFAI: KADUNA GOVERNMENT DRAGGING THE NORTH BACK – MURIC

 

17^th August, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

EL-RUFAI: KADUNA GOVERNMENT DRAGGING THE NORTH BACK – MURIC  

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Kaduna State Government (KDSG) of dragging the North back by a hundred years by pursuing political vendetta against former governor Nasir El-Rufai. The group specifically slammed KDSG for ignoring all the brilliant legal practitioners in the North to pick a lawyer from the South-West for the purpose of prosecuting El-Rufai.

 

MURIC’s allegation was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, 17^th August, 2024 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads:

 

“We are deeply perturbed by the pre-occupation of the Kaduna State Government (KDSG) and its state assembly with the profiling of the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai.

 

“Most disturbing is the manner the state government ignored all the brilliant minds in the legal profession in the whole North to pick a human rights lawyer from the South-West for the purpose of prosecuting El-Rufai (https://www.naijanews.com/2024/07/18/kaduna-assembly-hires-femi-falana-to-prosecute-el-rufai-for-mega-corruption/).

 

“This is a slap in the face of not only that of legal practitioners in the North but the entire Northern population. It also constitutes a colossal waste of resources as well as an insult and a disservice to the whole North.

 

“Besides, this action runs counter to the spirit of recognition for and pride in Northern assets, its people, culture and values as envisioned and enunciated by great Northern leaders like Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the political maestro of the North, Alhaji Aminu Kano.

 

“On our fingers, we can count no less than a dozen legal luminaries nulli secundus of Northern origin. On what ground were these found unqualified and ineligible? What parameter did KDSG use to pick its prosecutor from a place so far away from the area of jurisdiction of this case?

 

“We are miffed that at a time Muslims in the North and South-West have built a bridge across the Niger and actualized the dream of our past heroes, KDSG has deemed it fit to attempt to rubbish the main drammatis personae thereby dragging the North back by a hundred years.

 

“We put it to the state governor and the state assembly that this latest move was motivated by a blind desperation to nail an innocent man, Nasir El-Rufai, the man who turned Kaduna to London.

 

“This is not what the North deserves. The stereotyping, prosecution and persecution of El-Rufai is not in the interest of the North. It smirks of a desertification of political acumen. We therefore advise the state government to stop stirring the hornet’s nest. Leave El-Rufai alone.”

 

#KadunaStateGovernment

#NasirElRufai

#StopStirringTheHornetsNest

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

SAVE FALOMO POLICE BARRACKS MOSQUE – MURIC

 

12^th August, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

SAVE FALOMO POLICE BARRACKS MOSQUE – MURIC

 

There is palpable fear in the Muslim business community of Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos that the only mosque in the vicinity, Falomo Police Barracks Mosque, may be demolished very soon. This has prompted the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) to appeal to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and other relevant authorities to save the mosque from demolition.

 

The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Monday, 12^th August, 2024 by the Founder and Executive Director of the Islamic human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads:

 

“Residents and traders of Falomo Police Barracks, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos (Falomo ‘A&B’) got wind of a plan to demolish the buildings on both sides of the barracks about three weeks ago (July 2024). The information threw the Muslim Community into a state of uncertainty as the whole barracks was ordered to vacate within one month.

 

“The Muslim community is deeply worried that worshippers may be deprived of the opportunity to continue using the only mosque in the neighbourhood if the planned demolition affects their mosque.

 

“It may be necessary to go down the lanes of history to reveal the background and structural status of the mosque as a way of supplying necessary information. Falomo Police Barracks Mosque was built in 1970 and reconstructed in 2006 after due approval via an official letter issued by the Deputy Inspector General of Police ‘C’ Department. The letter was dated 22^nd August 2006. The mosque is also properly registered (CAC/IT/NO 77616). The mosque sits on a land space of 376.48 square meters.

 

“In view of the elitist status of the mosque’s board of trustees which include eminent Lagosians like Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu, a former deputy governor in Lagos State and Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, the current Deputy President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), necessary steps are taken regularly to ensure that due process is followed in all matters affecting the mosque.

 

“One of such actions was an integrity test carried out by a certified independent tester company whose result was satisfactory. The same result was also confirmed by a related government agency thereby affirming the perfect condition of the mosque building. We can therefore confidently assert that the mosque building does not suffer from any structural defect.

 

“Falomo Police Barracks Mosque more than a mosque. It is a beehive of daily, weekly and monthly spiritual and enlightenment activities. The five daily worships are attended by no less than 200 worshippers each time. Jumuah prayer on Fridays is attended by no less than 1,000 males and females.

 

“Besides these spiritual activities, the mosque also renders educational, social and health services. It conducts free madrasah where both the young and old learn the Qur’an. The mosque has also been organising free medical outreach for the past ten years.

 

“Free meals are given to people of all faiths in Ramadan since 2010 and a total of 12,000 meals were served in 2024 Ramadan alone. At least 50 people participate yearly in I’tikaaf (spiritual seclusion) in the last ten days of Ramadan. The mosque recently added daily feeding programme in conjunction with Dangote Foundation, Ibeji Foundation, etc in response to the ravaging hunger in society.

 

“In view of the sine qua non humanitarian services offered by the Falomo Police Barracks Mosque as well as the immense and verifiable benefits accruing to the worshippers and their neighbours (both Muslims and non-Muslims), MURIC hereby appeals to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and other relevant authorities to exempt the mosque from the planned demolition exercise.

 

“Demolition of the mosque will definitely create a yawning vacuum because man is body, soul and spirit. Both the Muslim policemen and businessmen need recourse to their Maker at the appropriate times and within reasonable distance. Incidentally this is the only mosque for police officers and businessmen and women in the vicinity whereas there are many churches in the neighbourhood.

 

“Apart from the humanitarian services being rendered regularly by the mosque’s board of trustees which will stop immediately if the mosque is demolished, the constitutional provision on freedom of worship contained in Section 38(i&ii) makes it most advisable for the authorities to exempt religious buildings within the complex (the mosque and the church in Falomo A&B) from the impending demolition exercise so that they can continue to serve Falomo and Ikoyi communities.

 

“In a country bedeviled with gymnastic religiousity and extreme spiritual ideology leading to widespread violence as exemplified by the Boko Haram phenomenon with the attendant humongous waste of lives and properties, Nigerian authorities will be taking a wise decision if a mosque like Falomo Police Barracks which engages in the above-mentioned corrective and reformatory activities is speared from a demolition exercise.”

 

 

#IGPolice

#SaveFalomoPoliceBarracksMosque

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).