MURIC CHIDES UI SCHOOL FOR SUSPENDING IKHLAS

7^th October, 2019

          

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CHIDES UI SCHOOL FOR SUSPENDING IKHLAS

Miss Ikhlas Olasubomi Badiru, an hijab-wearing student of International School (ISI) of the University of Ibadan (UI) was last week suspended on account of her hijab. The suspension order was handed down by the school principal, Mrs. Phebean Olowe. The letter of suspension was dated 26^th September and signed by the school principal.

Reacting to the school’s action, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organization, has described it as superfluous, preposterous and provocative. MURIC spoke through its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday, 7^th October, 2019.

“This suspension is one too many. It is superfluous, preposterous and provocative. The authorities of International School Ibadan are overdoing it. The suspension smarks of kindergarten intellect. It is as clear as daylight that the school principal has very poor crisis management skill and she manifests desertification of damage control techniques.

“We call on Nigerians to note what is happening in ISI. Muslim children are being stigmatized just for wearing an ordinary head scarf, not for engaging in cultism or for cheating in examinations. This same hijab is allowed in British schools. It is used in Sweden, Finland and all over Europe, America embraced it long ago. Interestingly these are countries where the percentage of Muslim population is infinitesimally low.

“Yet in Nigeria where Muslim population is higher and Muslims cannot be said to be a minority, Muslim children are being tyrannically profiled. Islamophobia is the order of the day. Surprisingly, Muslims have not reacted in anger. They are exhibiting civilized behavior to deal with the situation.

“MURIC is watching the unfolding scenario with keen interest. Here is the peak of hypocrisy as those who claim to be defending the girl child against abuse, those who claim to be promoting girl-child education are the same people locking out the girl-child from educational institutions simply because they are Muslims.

“We affirm clearly, emphatically and categorically that a girl-child is a girl-child no matter her religion. Her creed does not change her sex. Neither does it change her age. The hijab on her head preserves the dignity of her human person and any attempt to force her to remove it constitutes a criminal assault on her honour and an infringement on Section 38 (i) and (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We warn that the criminalisation of hijab has reached its crescendo and the bubble may burst any moment from now. We call on UI authorities to take full charge of the situation before it is too late. UI cannot abdicate its responsibilities and still remain a citadel of learning and a center of excellence. It is the height of religious intolerance. Both UI and ISI are swarming with Christian fanatics and Muslim haters at management level. It is nauseating and that is to say the least.

“Does it not amount to contempt of court for the principal to hand down a suspension order while the case is in a court of competent jurisdiction? Is this not another act of impunity? Olowe has crossed the red line. Like Macbeth, Olowe has murdered sleep. She shall sleep no more.

“Olowe has goaded us to take the hijab saga in ISI to the next level. We must move beyond mere rhetorics. From this moment, MURIC is charging all Muslim students in UI to embark on non-violent civil disobedience actions in defence of their sister, Ikhlas.

“We hereby declare Friday, 11^th October, 2019, Ikhlas Day. The slogan of the day is ‘Suspend One, Suspend All. ‘I am Ikhlas’. That day is for peaceful demonstrations in and around UI in solidarity with our sister, Ikhlas Olasubomi Badiru. All members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in and around Ibadan and the Oyo State chapter of MURIC are hereby mobilized to join their brothers and sisters in UI on that day. It is now or never. It is just a warning shot and we hope those who have ears will hear.

The human rights organization also hailed Muslim lecturers and administrative staff of UI for supporting the female Muslim students of ISI.

“MURIC strongly commends Muslim lecturers and other Muslim staff of UI for condemning the university’s Islamophobic stance. We urge them to continue to exhibit solidarity in loco parentis to the oppressed female Muslim students of ISI. They must register their strong opposition to the attempt to rename UI as Christian University, Ibadan (CUI). We assert that UI must remain UI, not CUI.

“As we round off, we warn ISI to stop escalating the crisis. The suspension of Ikhlas must be lifted. UI authorities must stop all Islamophobic actions and move against the persecution of innocent female Muslim students of ISI. We can only know the beginning of crisis, no one can predict its features or its end. Even without using violence, the hijab imbroglio in ISI is capable of shuting down UI and enveloping the city of Ibadan. MURIC does not issue threats but nobody has the monopoly of impunity.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

MURIC MOURNS S. O. BABALOLA

2^nd October, 2019

          

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC MOURNS S. O. BABALOLA

The death has been announced of Alhaji (Chief) Sakariyau O. Babalola, a Lagos based business mogul and well-known Muslim leader. He was aged 87.

According to a statement issued by Professor Ishaq Akintola on behalf of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Wednesday, 2^nd October, 2019, Alhaji Babalola was, until his death, the president of the Muslim Ummah of South West of Nigeria (MUSWEN).

MURIC added, “He was also the Vice President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). The deceased was a committed Muslim who spent the greater part of his life promoting the religion of Islam.

Babalola was a lover of young Nigerians and he empowered many economically. An industrialist of great repute, he was a strong believer in hardwork, dignity and honesty. He was also a disciplinarian of no small measure.

Popularly known as ‘SOB’, Alhaji S. O. Babalola was a sociable personality in the 70s and 80s and Fuji musicians waxed records in his praise. Alhaji Babalola was a popular philanthropist who rescued thousands of poor Nigerians from poverty. To his credit were several chieftaincy titles.

He was kind-hearted, humane and pious. Alhaji Babalola was visionary and he encouraged his close associates to plan for the future. He was the most popular and dynamic Muslim leader in the South West. Nigerian Muslims will miss him.

MURIC mourns Alhaji Sakariyau Babalola with nostalgia. Reminiscences of his action-packed interactions with us at meetings, conferences and long trips flash intermittently in our minds. He was an incomparable father and mentor. Our hearts bleed.

Alhaji Babalola was succeeded by many children, among them was Remi Babalola, a former minister.

May Almighty Allah overlook his trespasses, widen his grave and make his Qiyamah and Al-Akhirah (Resurrection and Hereafter) events of joy for him. May Allah continue to protect and bless all he left behind.  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC

APOLOGISE TO PANTAMI: MURIC TELLS KWANKWASO

2^nd October, 2019

          

PRESS RELEASE:

APOLOGISE TO PANTAMI: MURIC TELLS KWANKWASO

Following a mob action by members of the Kwankwasiyyah Movement against Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Dr. Ali Isa Pantami, on Monday, 23^rd September, 2019 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, a social media platform had averred that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the movement had visited the minister and apologized. But a reliable source close to the minister yesterday denied that such a visit did not occur.

In a followup statement issued on Wednesday, 2^nd October, 2019, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) chided the social media source for misleading the public. MURIC also demanded unreserved apology from Senator Kwankwaso in the spirit of sportsmanship. The statement was signed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director of the organization.

“The least that is expected of Senator Kwankwaso is to apologise to Dr. Isa Ali Pantami for the unruly behavior of his followers. This is what Nigerians expect of him as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Only an unreserved apology can prove to Nigerians that he is an honourable politician and not a promoter of political violence.

“Those who operate in the hallowed red chamber must serve as good examples for the citizens, particularly the youth and under no circumstances must they be found promoting a culture of political violence. It is also the only way new blood, particularly new female politicians can be attracted into politics because political violence has been one of the major cassu belli which kept brilliant young men and women away from politics.

“Besides, MURIC is concerned because the two dramatis personae involved in this incident are Muslims. We therefore remind Senator Kwankwaso to see himself as a Muslim politician and, consequently, follow the good example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) particularly his style of leadership in Madinah.”   

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC

INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE: BUHARI’S GOVT BEST SINCE INDEPENDENCE - MURIC

1^st October, 2019

          

INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE:

BUHARI’S GOVT BEST SINCE INDEPENDENCE - MURIC 

As Nigeria marks its 59^th independence anniversary, an Islamic human rights organization has identified the Buhari administration as the best since independence. Making this assertion is the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in its independence day message signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola and circulated to the media on Tuesday, 1^st October, 2019.

According to the group, while it is generally agreed that corruption is Nigeria’s numero uno problem, it is only the current administration that has frontally addressed this dangerous cankerworm while President Muhammadu Buhari has been the only ruler who has boldly confronted it.

“We adjudge the Buhari administration as the best in post-independence Nigeria. Everyone agrees that corruption is the bane of Nigeria’s development. All other factors are peripheral but corruption is tangential. This implies that Nigeria will overcome all its challenges once corruption has been reduced to its barest minimum.

“This explains why President Muhammadu Buhari has been consistently consistent in tackling graft since his days as military head of state (1983-85) till today. Apart from the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), the period heralded transparency, probity and accountability in the public sphere.  

“Unfortunately corrupt elements in society have also been fighting tooth and nail to frustrate his efforts. These include, but are not limited to, rapaciously greedy civil servants, a superfluously voracious business class and avariciously glutonous politicians.

“They were behind the 1985 coup which ousted the no-nonsense Buhari-Idiagbon regime. That coup was an anti-people action sponsored by established kleptomaniacs and executed by greedy, corrupt and overambitious elements in the military. That singular action also returned Nigeria to the path of unbridled waste, reckless graft and undiluted consumerism.

“Unfortunately the second coming of President Buhari in 2015 as a civilian president was almost castrated as the National Assembly was hijacked from the very beginning courtesy of ‘sarakitisation’ and ‘dogaratisation’ of parliamentary process. The president himself nearly lost his life.

“Notwithstanding this setback, Nigeria is currently witnessing the most massive infrastructural development ever experienced since independence. Roads which have been abandoned for decades are now getting attention. Modern rail system is springing up in many parts of the country.

“Prudent management of resources has been a major characteristic of this administration. Looted funds were recovered and are still being recovered. The current administration plugged all known financial leakages by boldly implementing the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which past regimes hesitated to touch. External reserves which dwindled under other leaders have been rising steadily since the beginning of this administration despite low oil price.  

“Accumulated arrears of workers salaries and pensions running into billions of naira were settled by this administration. This included accumulated contractors’ debts such that all major contractors are now back to site. Biafran veterans were paid off. Arrears of pensions of police, railway workers, etc which had been ignored for decades were settled.

“All these were made possible because the leadership is transparent. The funds being used for developmental projects today have always been there but they have always been shared in the past among a corrupt few at the expense of development. For these gargantuan achievements, we declare President Muhammadu Buhari as the Father of Modern Nigeria.

“In spite of rising incidents of killings and kidnappings, we affirm that this regime has paid more attention to security of lives than any other. Whereas no recruitments took place for over ten years before President Buhari took over, this regime has recruited more than 30,000 policemen since 2015.

“While Boko Haram occupied about 17 local governments in Borno State prior to 2015, the insurgent group has been reduced to a hit and run guerilla outfit under the present administration. Also, although the insurgents scored direct hits with heavy casualties in Kano and Abuja before 2015, it has been most effectively confined to the North East since that period.

“MURIC is constrained to assert that Nigerians are the ones hurting fellow Nigerians. For instance, government has no hand in the arbitrary inflation of transport fare during rushing hours. Neither is kidnapping which brings untold suffering to families being carried out by foreigners. Those who kidnap Nigerians are fellow Nigerians. We urge all citizens to be their brothers’ keepers. Nigerians also need to have a change of mindset. Nigerian youth must eschew greed and materialism to embrace hardwork, honesty and integrity.

“MURIC appeals to patriotic Nigerians to rally behind the present administration in its war against corruption and graft. Only thus can the good works be sustained and Nigeria lifted to the category of the world’s developed countries. As a leader who has lived a prudent lifestyle throughout his life, as the only Nigerian president who has no foreign account, no accumulated properties and no stolen funds traced to him, President Buhari deserves the support of Nigerians.

“Before taking a break, MURIC congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian citizenry on the occasion of the country’s 59^th independence anniversary. In view of the unprecedented achievements of the Buhari administration listed above, we affirm clearly, categorically and unambiguously that the Buhari administration has been the best since independence while President Muhammadu Buhari himself is the best president Nigeria has ever had.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC

MURIC SLAMS OPPOSITION FOR HARRASSING PANTAMI

30^th September, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC SLAMS OPPOSITION FOR HARRASSING PANTAMI

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Dr. Ali Isa Pantami, was mobbed on Monday, 23^rd September, 2019. The incident occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. The minister was in Kano for a condolence visit over the death of Ibrahim Liman Sharada, father of a member of the House of Representatives representing Kano Municipal, Shaaban Sharada when hoodlums of the Kwankwasiyyah movement began to boo him. One of the thugs even attempted to remove the minister’s cap.

Reacting to the ugly incident, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) described the attack as unruly, uncultured, puerile and barbaric. MURIC spoke through its leader, Professor Ishaq Akintola in a press statement issued on Monday, 30^th September, 2019.

“The harassment of Dr. Isa Ali Pantami at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is repugnant, detestable and provocative. It is most unruly, highly uncultured, totally puerile and categorically barbaric. Nigeria should be above this. At 59, Nigerians still engage in bolekaja politics. It is a big shame. Our post-independence political culture is still characterised with violence, bitterness, intimidation and coercion. Our politics is laced with heavy doses of intolerance. Ours is politics of retrogression. It is unacceptable.

“We commend Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso for visiting the minister and for offering an apology for the excesses of his followers. Nonetheless, the fact that his political party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to show remorse leaves much to be desired.

“In saner climes, the political party would have issued a statement dissociating itself from any unethical behavior and apologizing for same. We therefore call on PDP Kano chapter to do the needful. Anything short of a public apology over this infantile and highly embarrassing incident is an assault on civilized political decorum. Nigeria must move from Stone Age political gangsterism.

“MURIC appeals to the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to take the incident with equanimity. APC Kano must manifest political maturity by resisting the temptation to revenge. The fact that Senator Kwankwaso has established rapour with the minister should serve as a soothing balm for members of the APC in Kano State.

“Dr. Ali Isa Pantami deserves tons of respect from every Nigerian. He is one of the few citizens who have engraved Nigeria’s name in letters of gold on the sands of time. His rich and intimidating curriculum vitae stands him out from the crowd of political shenanigans and opportunistic parasites. Nigeria desperately needs people like him. It is therefore a great disservice to maltreat such a cerebral gem.

“As we draw the curtain, we charge Nigerian politicians to shun thuggery and hooliganism. We must draw lessons from the incidents which led to military coups in the past. Politicians must remember that what goes round comes around. Respect begets respect but this golden rule will no longer apply if we allow the era of political violence to return.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

EL-RUFAI DESERVES KUDOS FOR ENROLLING SON IN PUBLIC SCHOOL

29^th September, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

EL-RUFAI DESERVES KUDOS

FOR ENROLING SON IN PUBLIC SCHOOL 

The governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been hailed for enrolling his son in a public school. It will be recalled that Mallam El-Rufai took his son, Abubakar Al-Siddique El-Rufai, to the Kaduna Capital School on Monday, 23^rd September, 2019.

Making this commendation was an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). The group described the governor’s move as bold, daring and highly commendable. This was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday, 29^th September, 2019 by the organisation’s arrow-head, Ishaq Akintola, a professor of Islamic Studies at the Lagos State University (LASU).

“This is good news. It is unheard of in the history of this country that a state governor identifies with the masses by enrolling his biological son or daughter in a public school. El-Rufai is an uncommon political leader. MURIC is proud of him.

“We are particularly interested in what El-Rufai has done because MURIC had long been advocating that public officers should enroll their children in public schools up to tertiary level. We are therefore excited that at least one sitting governor has hearkened to our tiding.

“El-Rufai’s action signifies exemplary leadership and good governance. It is also a fulfilment of promise because he promised in 2017 to enroll his son in a public school. He said, ‘I will by personal example ensure that my son that will be six years of age in 2019 is enrolled in a public school in Kaduna State, by God’s grace’.

“MURIC salutes El-Rufai for walking his talk. Come to think of it: how many of our leaders of today keep their promises? On the contrary, they double-speak, cheat and lie without batting an eyelid. Whereas El-Rufai has identified with the Kaduna people, other political leaders have held tightly to a mentality of class compartmentalisation of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’, the poor jamahiir and the capitalist comprador bourgeouisie.

“If we put ethnic, religious and political sentiments aside, we will see that El-Rufai has done what we all thought was impossible in our lifetime. It is the hallmark of good governance. Change is definitely here. The mantra of change introduced by the Buhari regime is now a reality.

MURIC highlighted the advantages of the enrolment of children of public office holders in public schools.

“There are many advantages in the enrolment of children of public office holders in public schools. For instance, it boosts public confidence in the education system. It also ensures that leaders become active stakeholders in the affairs of public schools. There is no gainsaying that political leaders may not pay proper attention to public schools unless their own children enroll in them. This may attract the much needed infrastructural facilities and improved teachers’ welfare to public schools.  

“To cap the edifice, we call on other governors and political leaders to emulate Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. In particular, we appeal to Nigerians in general to take their destiny in their own hands by refusing to vote for politicians who distance themselves from the masses.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

FAYOSE MUST ACCOUNT FOR STOLEN FUNDS - MURIC

27^th September, 2019

          

PRESS RELEASE:

FAYOSE MUST ACCOUNT FOR STOLEN FUNDS - MURIC 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has insisted that former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, must be held accountable for alleged stolen funds in Ekiti State.   

This was contained in a press statement issued on Friday, 27^th September, 2019 by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). The Islamic human rights organization chided the former governor for attempting to intimidate Ekiti State House of Assembly which has initiated the process of investigating his administration.

“Fayose lives in a dream world. He has forgotten that power is transient. He has forgotten that permanent power belongs to the Supreme Creator. He still imagines that he has immunity. Ekiti State Assembly should call Fayose’s bluff. His days of impunity are definitely over.

“Imagine this ex-governor invading the state’s House of Assembly for ‘daring’ to initiate investigations into financial dealings in the state under him. We condemn that invasion. Fayose’s behavior is undemocratic, unparliamentary and therefore unacceptable. He should follow due process and respect the rule of law.

“Fayose was just showing his true colour anyway. He never had any respect for decorum. Was it not Fayose who invaded a high court in Ekiti and allegedly slapped a judge? Was it not Fayose who prevented operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from accosting Fani Kayode’s wife? Was it not Fayose who invaded a bank in Ekiti to compel illegal, unlawful and illegitimate payment to Fani Kayode’s wife?

“Fayose’s cup of impunity, illegalities and excesses is full beyond its brim. It is already spilling. His invasion of the Ekiti House of Assembly on 29^th August, 2019 was an attempt to mop up. That attempt has failed. Fayose must account for the people’s money.”

MURIC likens Fayose to the proverbial vegetable seller for invading Ekiti State House of Assembly before an invitation could be extended to him.

“There is no other logical explanation for Fayose’s invasion of Ekiti Assembly than an attempt to foreclose investigations into his poor handling of the financial affairs of Ekiti State during his tenure as governor. Our people say ‘When a vegetable hawker is called but he responds by claiming that his vegetable is not from the dumpsite (even before he is accused), we must know that something is fishing’.

“Fayose can be likened to this proverbial vegetable seller. Haba! The House has merely deliberated over extending an invitation to him. That invitation has not reached him but as soon as he heard about it, he called the speaker to ask him if the report was true. That phone call itself was a dishonourable act. It was an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of Ekiti State House of Assembly. It was most demeaning and highly condescending. The ex-governor acted far below his status.”

MURIC hailed the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly for standing firm on the House’s resolution to probe Fayose.

“We doff our hats for the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Afuye, for refusing to be intimidated by the ex-governor. The sanctity of parliamentary resolutions is unassailable and must remain so otherwise democracy will become a political farce.

“We call upon honourable members of Ekiti House of Assembly to remain steadfast. It is not Ekiti citizens alone who are watching. Nigerians, nay, the whole world, are curious to know whether or not they will succumb to Fayose’s blackmail, accept his bribe or honourably insist on protecting the integrity of the House by standing on their resolution to probe Fayose.

“We remind the former iron ruler of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose that the game is up. Dictators can run but they cannot hide. If Fayose runs to the sea, the sea will be boiling. If he runs to the mountains, the mountains will crumble. There will be no hiding place for him. The long arm of the law will eventually catch him. The Pharaoh of Ekiti should therefore simply allow the law to run its normal course. The die is cast.

“In our closing remarks, we charge Ekiti lawmakers to be resolute. They must not put their tails between their legs and run just because Fayose barks. This is a battle they must fight to its logical conclusion for the sake of Ekiti citizens who entered Fayose’s ‘one chance’.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC