ALLOW MARRIAGE OF 100 NIGER STATE ORPHANS : MURIC TELLS MINISTER

 

17^th MAY, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

ALLOW MARRIAGE OF 100 NIGER STATE ORPHANS : MURIC TELLS MINISTER

 

— Urges Nigerians to learn to respect each others' culture and traditions.

 

Nigeria's foremost Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the minister for women affairs and social development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to withdraw the litigation threat and ill-advised petition she wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), over the proposed sponsor of the marriage of 100 orphaned girls by the Honorable Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji. The event was slated to take place on May 24, 2024.

 

The call was contained in a statement released on Friday, 17^th May, 2024, by the group's Kano State chapter Chairman, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.

 

Malam Indabawa said:

 

"We found as weird the harsh and hasty decision taken by the Honorable Minister for women affairs over a matter that is entirely beyond the scope of her ministry.

 

"The minister's attempt at media demonization of marrying off of 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatized for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance to the culture and traditions of the Muslim north; and has further as well, demonstrated her lack of empathy, compassion and respect for other people's culture and tradition.

 

"Speaking to journalists on Monday, May 13, the minister

said she had approached a court of law to stop the speaker of the Niger state house of Assembly from marrying off 100 prospective brides. She also disclosed that she had petitioned the I-G of Police over Sarkin-Daji's plan.

 

"This elaborate media blitz, over the matter, MURIC observed, was deliberately done to sway public opinion against the marriage institution, and an attempt to vilify Sarkin-Daji, after demonstrating his genuine concern to the needs of members of his constituency.

 

"Addressing a press conference on Tuesday 14, May, 2024, the speaker, who was distraught, had told the world that the story made by the minister was untrue, malicious and a mere speculation. 'I didn't force any girl into marriage and I didn't arrange the marriage of anybody', he said.

 

"The speaker explained that he announced plans to support orphaned girls, especially victims of banditry attacks following an appeal by religious and traditional leaders from his constituency. He further disclosed his surprise at the way the minister tried to smear his name and reputation without any background check or even calling him as a leader, to hear his own side of the story. 'The honourable minister should have got across to me directly...rather than making topic out of it', he added.

 

"However, making a topic out of everything, has become the hallmark of minister Kennedy-Ohanenye, leading oftentimes, to avoidable embarrassment.

 

"In January, 2024, The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, visited the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, at the high command in Abuja over the case of a female soldier.

 

"Ruth Ogunleye, a female soldier of the Nigerian Army, accused some  senior army officers of sexual harassment, intimidation and threat to life. She also claimed her salary was stopped in February 2023.

 

"The minister, during her visit to the military high command, was however 'informed with documented evidence that the lady’s salary was never stopped as she was paid up to December 2023.'

 

"In February, 2024, same Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, placed a N2 million bounty on an Anambra State-based lawyer, Adachukwu Chukelu-Okafor, for allegedly burning her 11-year old house help. A simple administrative protocol would require her to file a report with Anambra Police Command.

 

"In a mother-of-all gaffes, the minister, in October 2023, told the world in a press conference that she was going to sue the United Nations if the body did not provide reports on all the monies they sourced from donors in Nigeria’s name, by November 15. What an egregious gaffe!

 

"Since her appointment as women affairs minister, she has become famous for some weird statements made in public. She was seen on TV recently suggesting that children can be engaged in tooth pick, sanitary pads production, thereby promoting child labour which she is supposed to condemn by virtue of her position.

 

"The case of speaker, Niger State House of Assembly is therefore another one of her several gaffes, depicting lack of administrative and leadership skills. Some simple steps should have been taken before exploding the issue on social media. First is to call the speaker, initiate a courtesy visit to meet with the speaker and perhaps some religious and traditional leaders from the state to share ideas and understand their cultural and traditional peculiarity, which the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria not only recognized, but has guaranteed.

 

"Then there is Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, a former first lady, former Chief Judge of Niger state and founder of Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA). Founded in 1999, WRAPA is a women-focused, non-governmental organization whose mission is actualizing the legal rights of women in private and public spaces. WRAPA seeks to advance and protect the rights of women and girls as one of its core goals. Most importantly, Justice Fati Abubakar lives in Minna, where Sarkin-Daji holds sway as Speaker of the house.

 

"The Federation of Muslim Women's Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) is another association which the minister should have engaged, considering, that is, if she knows her onions. FOMWAN is a not-for-profit civil society umbrella body for Muslim women's associations in Nigeria. 

 

"The minister did none of this, but instead, came down heavily on the speaker with threats of fire and brimstone, failing to recognise the social and political status of the office of a state assembly speaker. Minister does not have to behave like the head of an NGO. Government ministries do not rush to court at the first instance!

 

"We, at MURIC, therefore, categorically and unequivocally call on minister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye to immediately withdraw the purported legal case she has filed and equally withdraw the petition she had written to the I-G of Police to avoid an imminent embarrassment because, in this matter, no law has been breached and no coercion was ever to be established. 

 

"We believe, had the minister initiated some engagement with all the relevant stakeholders before rushing to press, she won't be facing another imminent embarrassment that awaited her if she refuses to recognize the diversity and religious peculiarity of some sections of Nigeria. The speaker, Niger state house of assembly, should also continue with the good work he has been doing in meeting the demands of his constituency members. The marriage preparation of the 100 prospective brides must go on as no law was broken.

 

"In the end, MURIC calls on the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), FOMWAN, WRAPA and other CSOs to remain vigilant. The minister's next move must be keenly watched. 

 

"The women affairs minister should also get educated on the constitutional guarantee bestowed on all Nigerians to practice their religious, cultural and traditional customs without let or hindrance. The Nigerian constitution and the Human rights Act provide for fundamental rights of persons to enter into marriage for any couples in Nigeria; Niger state 100 prospective brides, therefore, should not be an exception. By the way, where was the minister when the governments of some Northern states were organising similar mass marriages?"

 

 

Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa

Chairman,

Kano State Chapter

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),

 

IMPLICATIONS OF CITING FOREIGN BASES IN NIGERIA – MURIC

 

16^th May, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

IMPLICATIONS OF CITING FOREIGN BASES IN NIGERIA – MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has shed more light on the implications of a foreign military base in Nigeria. The group insisted that such a move has dire security consequences for the country, particularly loss of territorial sovereignty, the abdication of national dignity and admission of self-inferiority.        

 

The human rights advocacy group spoke on Thursday, 16^th May, 2024 via its arrowhead, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

Akintola gave his reasons:

 

“There is every reason to put to rest the ongoing debate on the likelihood of the United States of America (US) citing its military base in Nigeria after its exit from the Sahel. The most important is the denial by the Federal Government (FG) that it has no intention to permit the US to cite its base in the country.

 

“We must give FG the benefit of doubt but at the same time we must continue to sensitise Nigerians on the issue. They need to know why no foreign country, not even a neighbouring African country, should be allowed to set up a military base in Nigeria, talk less of a world power bent on unipolarisation. Our people need such enlightenment because Nigeria is the ancestral home of articulated gullibility.

 

“We therefore see the need for a follow-up to our press release of Sunday 5^th May, 2024 captioned ‘No To US Bases in Nigeria – MURIC’ (https://independent.ng/muric-cautions-tinubu-on-proposed-us-french-military-bases-in-nigeria/; https://www.muricnigeria.com/no-to-us-french-bases-in-nigeria-muric/).

 

“The example of Ghana is enough lesson for Nigeria. The Ghanaian president was denied access into the US military base in Ghana after the base had been set up. This is a serious security breach because if the president of a country cannot enter any place within the country, it means even their security agencies cannot enter that place.

 

“It also means America or France can hide criminals, fugitives and kidnapped ‘persons of interest’ (for rendition) in any military base in the country thereby frustrating our security agencies and giving them inferiority complex.

 

“With a US military base in Ghana, US soldiers cannot be held accountable in the Ghanaian law court if they kill Ghanaians or commit any atrocity. It means US soldiers will be above the law if they are allowed to set up a military base in Nigeria. That will be a calamity of unimaginable proportion.

 

“According to the defence agreement between Ghana and the US, no Nigerian can sue the US military if it destroys his or her property. US soldiers cannot be sued for damages if their drone mistakenly or deliberately destroys a residential or school building, killing the occupants, even if the victims are children or pregnant women. Do we want that to happen in Nigeria?

 

“Based on the same defence pact, Ghana gave the US base radio frequencies pro bono but Ghanaians must pay millions for communication licence before they can establish radio and television stations. This implies that Americans are super homo sapiens inside Ghana whereas the citizens who are the tax payers and the aboriginals are inferior human beings.

 

“By virtue of the same military agreement, neither the immigration or customs men in Ghana can search the body of a US soldier entering or leaving Ghana. Nigeria would have compromised its security and abdicated its responsibility to protect its citizens if this should happen on Nigerian soil.

 

“Besides, US soldiers do not need any international travelling passport to enter Ghana at any time because the defence pact between Ghana and the US covers them. But no Ghanaian soldier can enter the US without a valid Ghanaian passport. Where is reciprocity? Where is mutual respect?

 

“Can Nigeria stomach such a one-sided agreement? Does it not give the impression that countries which allow foreign military bases to be cited in them are inferior to the overlords?

 

“By the way, can America allow Nigeria to station a battalion of its army in Washington in the North or Florida in the South? Shouldn’t such agreements be based on mutual respect?

 

“There is yet another potent raison d’etre. Any country that allows a foreign power to launch an attack from its soil automatically becomes a target of the country that was attacked. That was what happened recently when Iran warned neighbouring Arab countries that they would also become its targets if they allow Israel or the US to launch a strike at it from their soil.

 

“Again, the closer a military base belonging to the US or France is to our country, the greater the danger of drone strikes on Nigerians perceived, rightly or wrongly, to be working against the interest of those two countries.

 

“It is an open secret that the US is fond of interfering in the affairs of other countries and imposing its own values on those countries. History does not forget. It is on record that the US has invaded many countries in several parts of the world.

 

“In chronological order, America invaded Guatemala in 1954, Cuba in 1961, Guyana also in 1961, the Dominican Republic in 1965, Chile in 1970, Nicaragua in 1981, Grenada in 1983, Panama in 1989, Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.

 

“The ground for the invasion of Nigeria was being prepared when, like a garrison commander to his captive, Donald Trump asked ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2018, ‘Why are you killing Christians?’ (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-18/trump-questioned-nigerian-president-about-killing-of-christians).

 

“Nigeria cannot afford the risk of allowing such a country that believed that a section of the country is killing the other with the express permission and participation of its leader to set up a military base in the country. It will make it too easy for the US to see another Manuel Noriega in Aso Rock and give it cause to revisit the Panama scenario in Abuja for the purpose of reenacting Operation Just Cause.

 

“MURIC is aware that Nigerians are a gymnastically religious people. But this is not religion. The issue of citing a military base has nothing to do with religion. It is national interest. Nigerians should not fool themselves by thinking a US base in their country will give the adherents of a particular religion an edge over other faiths.

 

“Neither is our position for the American case alone. We will react the same way we have done now if Iran or Syria decides to cite its military base in Nigeria. Neither are we swayed by ideological consideration of anti-capitalism because we will reject any request for a military base from the communists too, be it Russia or China. We should be allowed to remain neutral between the West and its foes.

 

“As we drop the anchor, MURIC commends FG for coming out boldly to debunk the rumour of the likelihood of citing US and/or French military bases in Nigeria. It is another evidence that this administration listens to its citizens and engages them in national discourse. We urge Nigerians to give FG the benefit of doubt. Those who never believe their own government will end up as professional doubting Thomases.”

 

#ForeignMilitaryBase

#NigeriansNotSecondClassCitizens

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

CYBERSECURITY LEVY BY INDIVIDUALS: A LIE FROM THE PIT OF JAHANNAM - MURIC

 

13^th May, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

CYBERSECURITY LEVY BY INDIVIDUALS: A LIE FROM THE PIT OF JAHANNAM - MURIC

… Warns against inciting Nigerians against government.

 

Nigerians have been advised to ignore rumours of cybersecurity levy payable by individuals because it is not true. The advice was given by an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). 

 

In a statement issued on Monday, 13th May, 2024, the Executive Director of the human rights advocacy group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, debunked the idea of a cybersecurity levy to be paid by individuals. He insisted that the 0.5% levy will only be paid by banks and other financial institutions, telecommunication outlets, insurance companies and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

 

He said further:

 

"The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has been disturbed by the recent hullabaloo over the cybersecurity levy recently announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria which some unscrupulous elements deliberately distorted by spreading false, unfounded and baseless allegation that individual Nigerians were required to pay the cybersecurity levy. This is a lie from the pit of Jahannam. 

 

"According to Section 42(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2024 the 0.5% levy is actually meant for banks and other financial institutions, telecommunication outlets, insurance companies and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Unfortunately those who have some axe to grind with the Tinubu administration saw it as an opportunity to incite Nigerians against the Federal Government (FG). That was why they spread the false information that individuals will have to pay the cybersecurity levy. This is far from the truth.

 

"MURIC strongly condemns this attempt to cause disaffection, distrust and pandemonium in the country using misinformation, disinformation, provocation and outright incitement of Nigerians against the Federal Government (FG). This action smirks of desperation, recklessness and irresponsibility on the part of critics, detractors, the opposition and any other group or groups that may be behind the falsification. 

 

"In particular, the disinformation embarked upon in the last 24 hours in which it was claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered the discontinuation of the cybersecurity levy (https://dailypost.ng/2024/05/12/cbn-tinubu-reportedly-orders-suspension-of-cybersecurity-levy/) amounts to a deliberate attempt to hijack government's channels of communication.

 

"These actions are marks of a desperate opposition ready to use all means, fair and foul, moral and immoral, legal and illegal, to get what it wants, namely, to take over the reins of governance through unconstitutional means. 

 

"Like Niccolo Machiavelli, the Italian philosopher (1469 – 1527), those behind this disgraceful scheme believe that the end justifies the means, including the needless and wasteful sacrifice of the lives of Nigerians whose deaths are likely to guaranteeing ccur in the ensuing chaos. 

 

"MURIC is not allergic to criticism if it is objective. It adds luster to governance in a multiparty democracy. Criticism is acceptable so long as it is constructive but what we are seeing these days from some members of the opposition is archaic and bohemian.

 

 "We warn Nigerians not to fall for these unconventional manoeuvres. Those who instigate the citizens against a legitimate and purposeful government through luciferous manipulations and rabid, hydrophobic lies capable of making Joseph Goebbels (1897 – 1945, Adolf Hitler's professional liar) turn in his grave are incapable of guaranteeing free speech, mature and responsible leadership, transparency, probity and accountability if Nigerians make the mistake of making them their leaders come 2027.  

 

 "Nigerians must reject anarchists and shameless liars. The need for Nigerians to apply some caveat to the false propaganda being rolled out by some elements in the opposition is sine qua non to a healthy democratic heritage, a peaceful environment plus the attendant economic growth and political stability.

 

"That caveat can be achieved through careful screening and cross-checking of information to enable us separate the wheat from the chaff, fake news from genuine information, liars and agent provocateur from a truthful and responsible government. 

 

“Just as the Glorious Qur’an warns Muslim faithfuls to beware of bearers of false information, ‘If an ungodly person brings any news to you, you must investigate its veracity so that your next action will not hurt the innocent and you will regret that action’ (Qur’an 49:6), the Bible also implores Christians to ‘Investigate all matters and hold on to that which is the truth’ (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

 

"Nobody can accuse this administration of docility or nonchalance with regards to feeding Nigerians with necessary information whenever necessary. Government's spokespersons always add their names to government’s official statements. We therefore advise that Nigerians should ignore all kinds of information purportedly coming from government but which do not contain names of its spokespersons. 

 

"Nigeria would have taken one big step forward in information dissemination if the media would take the above advise very seriously. It is lazy journalism if we fail to crosscheck particularly when journalists have access to government’s spokespersons. We can take professionalism in journalism to the level of global best practices."

 

#CybersecurityLevyNotForIndividuals

#StopIncitingNigerians

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC CONGRATULATES NEW MULAN PRESIDENT

 

8th May, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

MURIC CONGRATULATES NEW MULAN PRESIDENT

— Calls for more collaboration between the two groups

An Islamic human rights advocacy group Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sent a congratulatory message to the newly emerged national president of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Barrister Sa'idu Muhammad Tudunwada.

In the congratulatory message, MURIC calls for more collaboration to combat crimes against Muslims, especially the worrisome and unabated abduction of Muslim minors, their identities changed and converted to Christianity by some Christian zealots across the Muslim dominated states in the north.

This was contained in a statement released on Monday, 6th May, 2024 by the chairman of Kano State Chapter of MURIC, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.

Mr Indabawa said:

"We, at MURIC, rejoice with you and pray for a successful tenure believing that you will provide a proactive and excellent leadership.

"With your emergence as national President of MULAN, we believe, coupled with your vast experience, you will bring in far reaching changes that will impact positively on Muslim lawyers in Nigeria and the society at large.

"Being one of the most active members of MURIC in Kano, we believe there will now be more collaboration between the two groups, especially in areas of litigations that affect Nigerian Muslims and their fundamental human rights.

"We are even more concerned with cases that suffer neglect due to absence of Muslim lawyers in matters that affect Muslims. Such cases involved the unabated abduction of some Muslim minors and their conversion to Christianity by some Christian zealots but the cases usually suffer defeat due to lack of follow up and diligent prosecution.

"We look forward to having a synergy between MULAN and MURIC in close working relationship by supporting MURIC with services of Muslim lawyers and the consistent follow up on cases that are high profile with significant importance to the promotion and maintenance of peace and harmony of Nigeria.

"Many learned silk have been providing such support to MURIC, but a strong collaboration with MULAN could go a long way in ensuring considerable success in more cases.

"May Allah crown your efforts with astounding success, while believing to expect a paradigm shift by injecting active and profound leadership skills in the running of a new MULAN.

"Once again, congratulations, Mr President."

Mallam Hassan Sani Indabawa,

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Kano State Chapter

 

SHAKALA-SHOKOLO ANTICS: MURIC TELLS ADELEKE TO STOP DESECRATING ISLAM

 

6^th May, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

SHAKALA-SHOKOLO ANTICS: MURIC TELLS ADELEKE TO STOP DESECRATING ISLAM

 

The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, recently declared that he is the first executive Governor of Osun State to practice both Islam and Christianity. However, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has countered the governor. 

 

In a statement circulated to the media on Monday, 6^th May, 2024 by the group’s executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC argued that nobody can be a Muslim and a Christian at the same time. The group insisted that Governor Adeleke is manifesting symptoms of personality crisis syndrome which often results in confusion in personal identity. The group also accused the governor of desecrating Islam with his shakala-shokolo antics.

 

The full statement reads:

 

"The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, recently declared that he was the first executive Governor of Osun State to practice both Islam and Christianity.

 

"Adeleke made the declaration while answering questions at the second edition of the public enlightenment programme tagged 'Ipade Imole', held in Ilesa on Tuesday, 30th April, 2024.

 

"We are nonplussed by this declaration made by Governor Ademola Adeleke. It is egregious, odious, insidious and odoriferous. Nobody can be a Muslim and a Christian at the same time. It is either he is genuinely serious with one and hypocritical with the other, or he is playing Jekyll and Hyde with God Almighty whereas nobody can deceive God. 

 

“It is the height of hypocrisy for anyone to make such a claim. The group insisted that Governor Adeleke is manifesting symptoms of personality crisis syndrome which often  inarise from confusion in personal identity. Adeleke does not know who he is and where he belongs. Our governor needs the help of a psychologist.

 

"We are concerned because Adeleke is a public figure and the political leader in Osun state. We are aware that statements like this are capable of influencing the behaviour of ordinary Nigerians. The effect is likely to be mass emulation of the governor resulting in many citizens of Osun making similar declarations. 

 

"If other religions accept this behaviour, Islam never will. This is because Islam is a religion of high discipline. There is no room for rubbish in Islam. That is why the Glorious Qur'an says, 'Enter into Islam totally and categorically' (Qur'an 2:208).

 

"A true religion must not be like flashy products where you buy one and get another one free. Otherwise Adeleke should let Nigerians know which one he is paying for and which one he is buying free.

 

"Adeleke is a Yoruba man and he is not unaware of a Yoruba proverb which says, 'Bi o ba fe je Oshakala ki o je Oshakala, bi o ba si fe je Oshokolo ki o je Oshokolo, ewo ni Shakala Shokolo?' Meaning: if you want to be Oshakala, then be Oshakala and if you want to be Oshokolo, feel free to be Oshokolo, but which one is Shakala Shokolo? The governor’s behaviour contravenes the Omoluabi culture of the Yoruba people.

 

"We are aware that the governor bears both Muslim and Christian names: Nurudeen and Jackson. There is nothing wrong with that based on present circumstances in the land. But we cannot accept his claim to be following both faiths. Names are mere tags but not so with faith. There is something wrong with you if your faith runs riot. But who did this to Osun State?

 

"Of course a governor can 'identify' and 'empathise' with every religious group in his state. He is the father of all. But he should not go beyond that. He should not claim to believe in both as a follower. Such a claim is false, baseless and hypocritical.

 

"What Adeleke fails to understand is that MURIC is not saying that a governor must be a Muslim before the Muslims accept him. All we are asking for is fairness, justice and equity. A just Christian governor will enjoy the Muslims under him. It is only Christian rulers who marginalise Muslims and persecute them that we rise against. 

 

"Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Bola Ige, etc were Christians who ruled in the South West in the past. Muslims did not reject them. Why is Adeleke jittery? 

 

"Adeleke made three unacceptable declarations in his speech. Firstly, he said he would soon become Alhaji and Prophet. Our position is that he is free to become a Christian prophet any time but he is going to make a caricature of himself the day he attempts to become an Alhaji. 

 

"Secondly, he claimed to be the first executive Governor of Osun State to practice both Islam and Christianity. This is an illusion. Adeleke is living in the world of self-deceit. He may have been practicing Christianity but he does not practice Islam and he himself knows it. 

 

"Thirdly, the governor also said no religion would be neglected in the delivery of dividends of democracy. He can say that to the marines. Has he been practicing what he is now preaching? If so, was he not the same governor who appointed 17 Christians as commissioners but could only find 7 Muslims appointable? Has he not neglected Muslims?

"We advise the governor to stop playing hide and seek with his Creator. God is a Merciful Lord. He listens to all regardless of their creed, race, gender or colour. 

 

“Adeleke is insulting the collective intelligence of Muslims in Osun State. Even politicians do not accept those who exhibit divided loyalty. You are either inside or outside. There is nothing like one leg in, one leg out. Adeleke should stop desecrating the religion of Islam with his shakala-shokolo antics.”

 

#GovernorAdeleke

#ShakalaShokolo

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).