RIGHT OF REPLY: MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS: MURIC TELLS CRA

4^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

RIGHT OF REPLY:

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS: MURIC TELLS CRA

The Christian Rights Agenda (CRA) yesterday challenged the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) to emulate Christian organisations which have donated cash and materials towards the fight against the spread of COVID-19. But MURIC has reacted by accusing CRA of seeking relevance and meddling in the affairs of Muslims.      

MURIC’s reaction was contained in a press statement signed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, director of the Islamic human rights organization, on Saturday, 4^th April, 2020.

“The Christian Rights Agenda (CRA) has overstepped its bounds. It has no business prying into what Islamic organisations are doing about COVID-19. Cook your own soup. Let us cook whatever we have capacity for. Why peep into your neighbour’s kitchen or asking what he is cooking? Peeping Toms hardly have good intentions. CRA’s reference to what Islamic organisations are doing on COVID-19 smirks of self-righteousness.

“It is clear from all indications that CRA is seeking relevance. Ordinarily, we would not have dignified it with a response because Proverbs 26:4 says, 'Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him’. But again Proverbs 26:5 avers, 'Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.'

“How dare CRA ask Islamic organisations to emulate Christian groups? There is nothing for us to emulate in Christian organisations. Don’t insult us. Our ways are different. Islamic organisations do not make noise with their gestures of kindness. Neither are we in the tithe league, the prosperity gospel camp or the fake miracles confederation.

“Every Islamic group has been on its toes helping the government as well as individuals since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) has mobilized wealthy Muslims in the country and many of them have responded to government’s request for support from the private sector. They have also donated various sums of money to Islamic groups to share among the underpriviledged. We are aware of similar activities being embarked upon by other Islamic groups like the Companion, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), etc.

“On our part and unknown to many, MURIC has mobilized its members and encouraged them to donate generously in order to assist vulnerable members of the society in particular and those affected by the lockdown in general. We tagged the operation MURIC COVID-19 Relief Fund. There has been good response and the proceeds have been shared to various states in the country through the chairmen of MURIC branches in those states (Kaduna, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, etc).

“Amounts donated are being announced on a daily basis and those chairmen have also been reporting back to the groups for transparency and accountability. The exercise is a continuous one and the campaign is being pursued on MURIC’s social media platforms (23 whatshap groups, facebook, linkedin, etc). The press has not been brought in because it is not necessary to make noise about our humanitarian pursuits. It is meant for the needy in society in general. It is not a jamboree. The world is facing a huge humanitarian calamity and we are expressing solidarity by giving out to victims. How does that call for a circus show?

“CRA’s unsolicited inquiry is therefore audacious, loquacious and repugnant. Paddle your own canoe, let us paddle our own boat. This interference is aimed at scoring a cheap evangelical point but it has failed. These are people who look down on Muslims. There is no cause for comparison between you and us. We do not preach prosperity. We fly no jets. MURIC is not a business concern. We are a human rights ‘concern’ group. Leave us out of your comparison parameter.

“CRA’s statement asking what Islamic organisations are contributing to the fight against the spread of corona virus came at the wrong time. We call the attention of Nigerians to our neighbour’s attitude. We want Nigerians to compare the statement of CRA to the one issued by MURIC last week, dated 27^th March, 2020 and entitled ‘Corona Virus: Time To Come Together’ (https://www.herald.ng/coronavirus-time-to-come-together-muric/ https://emporiumreporters.com.ng/covid-19-time-to-come-together-muric/ http://muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com/2020/03/corona-virus-time-to-come-together.html; https://www.muricnigeria.com/corona-virus-time-come-together/ ).

“In that statement, we called for unity among the various religious leaders in the country. We said it was time for all of us to come together. We spoke about the need for us to think first of humanity and not about Islam or Christianity. We laid emphasis on the fact that Corona virus does not discriminate between a Muslim and a Christian, a black man or a white.

“Anybody can see now who is being combatant. Let the records speak for themselves. CRA’s statement is tainted with pride and arrogance. It must be made clear that no Islamic organization is responsible to CRA or any Christian group for that matter. So why are you issuing us a quarry? Who made you Corona Virus police? You cannot teach us what to do. Mind your own business.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: MURIC COMMENDS HEALTH WORKERS

3^rd April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: MURIC COMMENDS HEALTH WORKERS

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended Nigeria’s health workers for their sacrifice, courage and professionalism in the wake of the novel COVID-19. The Islamic human rights advocacy group made this known in a press statement issued on Friday by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We appreciate the role of Nigeria’s health workers in the battle against COVID-19. We commend them for their sacrifice, courage and professionalism. They put their lives on the line to save the rest of us. They are always out there staring death in the face, daring corona virus, so that Nigeria can defeat the dreaded virus. We doff our hats to them.

“Often times they fall victims of the same virus which they are trying to protect Nigerians from. In this regard, we congratulate Professor Jesse Otegbayo, the Chief Medical Director at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, who tested positive for the virus a week ago but became negative yesterday. In the same vein, we pay tribute to the medical doctor and two nurses who contracted the virus from a patient who was rushed to an Abuja hospital a few weeks ago. We wish them full and speedy recovery.

“By the same token, we hail the Lagos state medical team handling the treatment of people infected by COVID-19 for the successes recorded so far in the treatment of infected persons since the outbreak of the dreaded disease. It is on record that apart from the six that were declared free of the virus last week, eleven (11) others were yesterday discharged from the Yaba facility. The Lagos State Government deserves a medal for this feat.

“MURIC calls for a special package for health workers involved in the fight against COVID-19. They are the heroes of the time and they should not make all these sacrifices for nothing. Both the federal and state governments should show appreciation for their performance. It should not just be about civil service rules. This is about life and death and a class of people taking all the risks to make others safe. They need motivation in order to register government’s goodwill.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC BLASTS MUSLIMS WHO DARED COVID-19

31^st March, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC BLASTS MUSLIMS WHO DARED COVID-19

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned Muslim groups who defied government’s directives and admonitions from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) concerning social distancing until COVID-19 comes to an end. This was sequel to reports of lack of compliance in some parts of the country, particularly in Kusada, Katsina State, Kaduna and Abeokuta, Ogun State.  

A statement circulated to the media by the director of the human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the action as grossly irresponsible, highly despicable and certainly unIslamic. The statement was dated Monday, 31^st March, 2020.  

“We have received reports that on Friday, 28^th March, 2020, Muslims observed Jumu’ah prayer in large numbers in three places around the country: Kusada, Kusada Local Government of Katsina State, Kaduna in Kaduna State and in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“In the Kusada episode, the Imam who led the prayer, Mallam Hassan, was arrested. This sparked a riot the next day. One person was killed. Kusada police station was burnt down and the official quarters of the Divisional Police Officer was razed down along with seven vehicles and ten motorcycles (https://www.kanyidaily.com/2020/03/coronavirus-muslim-youths-burn-police-station-in-katsina-for-stopping-their-prayer.html). We strongly condemn this act of brigandage and we demand that the leaders of the uprising be brought to book. Islam is about justice. People should be held accountable for their actions otherwise there will be no peace in the society.

“In Kaduna, two Imams were arrested for flouting the state’s public health preventive measures. Mallam Aminu Umar Usman and Mallam Umar Shangel led Jumu‘ah prayers in Malali and Ungwan Kanawa in Kaduna North Local Government Area (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/03/covid-19-el-rufai-arrests-2-imams-for-conducting-jumaat-prayers/).

“In Abeokuta, Ogun State, a mosque belonging to the National Joint Muslim Organisations (NAJOMO) situated at Car Wash, Adatan, was raided by security agents for conducting Jumu’ah prayer last Friday. Although the Imam, Barrister Moshood Taiwo, was not detained, the jumu’ah prayer was disrupted.

“We strongly condemn the actions of these groups. Their actions are grossly irresponsible, highly reprehensible and certainly unIslamic. It is a manifestation of acrobatic religiousity, gymnastic spirituality, articulated piety and tramadolised God-consciousness. These groups are misled. They are simply giving credence to the words of Karl Marx who described religion as the opium of the people. But it can only be so among those who fail to follow the true tenets of Islam.

“Our reaction is based on the fact that those Muslims cannot claim to be unaware of the massive information outlets used by the various state governments to sensitize the citizens on the danger in crowding during this COVID-19 pandemic.

“Worse still, their action showed gross disobedience, recalcitrance, rebellion and irredentism in the face of the declaration of the NSCIA which is the recognized umbrella organization for all Islamic groups in the country. We are particularly disappointed by the attitude of the NAJOMO group in Ogun State because NAJOMO was founded by Late Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite who was the former secretary general of the NSCIA.

“The energetic and dynamic former secretary general demonstrated total commitment to the unity of all Nigerian Muslims. It is a disservice to the memory of the late NSCIA scribe for NAJOMO group to disobey NSCIA’s assembly advisory. We advise the group to apologise to the Ogun State branch of the NSCIA for embarrassing the state’s Muslim Ummah and the entire Muslim community of Nigeria.

“In the same vein, the Muslim dissident groups in Katsina, Kaduna and Ogun states should apologise to their respective state governors for endangering the lives of residents of the state through their effrontery in organizing jumu’ah prayers which is capable of aiding the spread of the dreaded Corona virus. In addition, the three Imams should submit themselves for testing. The state governments should test them to know their COVID-19 status as soon as possible. If any of them tests positive, all those who prayed behind them should be traced and quarantined with members of their families in order to curtail further spread. Unless this is done, Nigeria is still playing Jekyll and Hyde with COVID-19 pandemic.

“MURIC will stand by the course of justice without bias or sentiment. We will not condone extremism. Neither shall we pat Muslims who do wrong on the back. We will defend Muslims against stigmatization, oppression and persecution, but we will not support Muslims who do wrong.

“Our stand is based on the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in which he said, ‘Help your brother whether he is the oppressor or he is the oppressed. The Prophet was asked, ‘But how can we help him when he is the wrong-doer?’ He replied, ‘Hold his hand (to prevent him from committing wrong).’ Therefore, we have a duty to discourage fellow Muslims from doing wrong and we will not abdicate this responsibility. If we make noise when non-Muslims wrong us, we must not keep quiet when fellow Muslims wrong the rest of society. That, to us, is justice and fairplay.

“We must admit that government has been fair to all in this matter. Mosques are not the only target. Security agents stormed churches in Ogun State last Sunday 22^nd March, 2020 (https://thenationonlineng.net/police-storms-churches-in-ogun-disperse-worshippers/). If any Muslim complains that Imams are being arrested, he should be reminded that pastors have also been arrested for holding church services during this Corona virus crisis.

“Police last week invaded the Apostolic Faith Church in Shagamu, Ogun State and arrested the pastor (https://www.today.ng/coronavirus/police-storm-ogun-church-defying-restriction-order-287273). Pastor U Uden, overseer of the Apo-based Jesus Reigns Family Church was also arrested in Abuja for conducting church service on Sunday, 29^th March, 2020 (https://punchng.com/covid-19-abuja-pastor-arrested-for-holding-sunday-service/).

“To cut a long story short, we denounce the defiance of government’s no- assemblies directive by some mosques and commend the large majority of Imams who complied with the instruction. We affirm that MURIC will not compromise Islamic ethical standards. We urge erring Imams to retrace their steps and apologise to the authorities.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC SUPPORTS BUHARI’S BAN ON MOVEMENT

30^th March, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC SUPPORTS BUHARI’S BAN ON MOVEMENT

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind the ban on movement in Abuja FCT, Lagos and Ogun states. President Muhammadu Buhari in a nationwide broadcast yesterday ordered residents of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states to stay at home for fourteen days from Monday 30^th March, 2020. While some Nigerians have criticized the directive, MURIC has described it as the wisest decision in the present circumstances.

“Restriction of movement in Abuja FCT, Lagos and Ogun has become sine qua non in the battle against further spread of Covid-19. The president made the wisest decision in the present circumstances. We wonder what those who criticized the announcement really want for Nigeria. These are the same people who claimed that the president had been infected with the Corona virus and challenged him to show his face. They demanded action but when action was eventually taken, they have taken offence again. We urge Nigerians to ignore hypocrites and parasites whose pathological hatred for Buhari and what he stands for have beclouded their sense of judgement.   

“The death toll in Italy for yesterday alone rose to 890 because the citizens did not take stay-at-home advice seriously when they were told to do so. Corona virus cases in Italy was only 21 by 21^st February, 2020. But it rose sharply to 86,498 on 27^th March, 2020. It could not have become so bad if they had hearkened to advice.

“It is the same story for many other countries currently facing shocking rise in corona tolls. America had just 16 cases of corona by 21^st February but it rose to 100,037 by 27^th March. From 18 cases on 26^th February, France rose to 32,964 on 27^th March. Within the same period, Spain skyrocketed from 25 cases to 64,059 while Iran snowballed from 5 cases to 32,332.

“These are advanced countries with state of the art medical facilities. What chance do we have? Is there still any Nigerian who doubts the capacity of the average Nigerian to tow the path of indiscipline without enforcement? We know ourselves. It is only those who want to see more bodybags on the streets who are trying to mislead the public. Therefore, this ban is in order.

“MURIC advises residents of Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states to comply with the restriction. It is only for a limited period of two weeks and it is all in our own interest. In addition, we urge people in other states to self-isolate and resist the urge to mingle. Avoid social events and meetings. Postpone earlier schedules and appointments. What is important for now is your life. Keep a safe distance of at least one meter (3 feet) from one another, wash your hands frequently and obey other instructions from health officials and the authorities.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CORONA VIRUS: PRAY FOR ABBA KYARI, EL-RUFAI

29^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

CORONA VIRUS: PRAY FOR ABBA KYARI, EL-RUFAI

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Nigerians to pray for Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Buhari and the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. It will be recalled that Abba Kyari reportedly tested positive to the novel corona virus two days ago while Mallam El-Rufai announced his status yesterday evening.

The appeal was contained in a statement distributed to the media on Sunday, 29^th March, 2020 by Professor Ishaq Akintola, director of the human rights organization.    

MURIC said, “Both Abba Kyari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai deserve prayers from Nigerians. They are both tested and trusted. Both of them are the embodiments of loyalty, trust, dedication and service to humanity. Abba Kyari has served Nigeria with all his strength. He proved a most loyal and dedicated aide to President Muhammadu Buhari particularly during the latter’s prolonged illness. El-Rufai has exhibited exemplary leadership, uncommon courage and immense love for the citizens of Kaduna State.

“We call on Nigerians to pray for their quick recovery. Let us remember them in our supplications every hour of the day. To the duo of Abba Kyari and El-Rufai, we say, ‘Though you are in isolation we are with you in spirit. You are not alone. The good people of Kaduna and Nigerians in general are with you. We are confident that Almighty Allah, the great healer, will heal you and you will emerge from isolation to continue your good work.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: MURIC BACKS AREGBESOLA ON PRISON DECONGESTION

28^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: MURIC BACKS AREGBESOLA ON PRISON DECONGESTION

The media yesterday widely reported the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola, as calling for decongestion of correctional centres in order to prevent the dreaded Covid-19 from spreading into them. The minister’s call has been backed by an Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). This was revealed in a statement circulated to pressmen by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 28^th March, 2020.

According to MURIC, “Inmates of correctional centers are complete human beings and Allah gave them fundamental human rights. They have the right to live, except those that have been condemned to death. Therefore the Nigerian government has no moral right to keep them in correctional centers where they are gravely exposed to Corona virus.

“In the face of Covid-19’s palpable threat, the Federal Government will be running foul of Section 33 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees right to life if it fails to free inmates who have not been sentenced to death.

“We all know what is happening around the world today regarding the devastating power of this virus. It is killing people in their thousands on a daily basis. The United States now has more than 100,000 cases as at Saturday 28^th March, 2020. Death toll in Italy is now 9,134. There are now 579,892 infections in the world with 26,504 deaths. We also know the poor state of our correctional centres. They are not conducive to human habitation. They are over-congested. Is it right to continue to keep people in jail in such a situation?      

“In particular, there are 54 Nigerian soldiers serving a ten-year sentence in some of the centres. These 54 gallant soldiers were ordered to confront Boko Haram fighters who were armed to the teeth. But our soldiers had very poor weapons. They asked for better equipment and for that they were promptly rounded up, prosecuted and sentenced to death. Their death sentence was later commuted to ten years in jail. Yet it was their demand for better weapons which exposed the $2.1 billion armsgate.

“MURIC regards this as a miscarriage of justice. We have made several appeals on the issue of the 54 soldiers to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and even the present Minister of Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola. Last month, we sent a petition to the National Assembly for the intervention of our lawmakers. We are still waiting for the Senate president and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to act on the petition.

“The interest shown by Aregbesola raises our hope. Inmates do not deserve to die like chicken inside correctional centres over this marauding virus, Covid-19. Something must be done urgently. We urge governors, chief judges, etc to pay urgent visits to correctional centres with a view to releasing inmates in large numbers before this virus invades their poorly equipped abodes.  

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to exercise his prerogative of mercy to free all Nigerian prisoners except those on the death row. Nigeria has 74,927 inmates in 244 centres spread around the country. They are Nigerians and they have the right to live. Covid-19 is death sentence for them because they have little or no access to testing equipment or any form of medication.  

“Already, 19 prisoners in 10 prisons have tested positive in British jails. We do not know exactly if the virus is already in our jails because we do not have the capacity to test our inmates yet. Nigeria must emulate other countries of the world which have taken proactive measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 by decongesting their prisons.

“New York is already warming up to release hundreds of inmates for fear of the virus spreading among them. Iran took the lead a few days ago by setting 80,000 prisoners free. Poland freed 12,000 inmates yesterday. Nigeria should act now before it is too late. Let my people go. Set the 54 soldiers free.

“If Iran can loosen the chains around the waists of 80,000 prisoners, if Poland can free 12,000 inmates, Nigeria should allow its 74,297 to go home instead of tying them up for corona virus to swallow them (except those who have been sentenced to death). The time to act is now. It is dreadful already to be in any Nigerian jail. But it becomes worse when subjected to thanatophobia courtesy of the dreaded Covid-19. Nigerian inmates were coping with the horror of poor jail conditions but now it is compounded by the fear of Corona virus. It is capable of resulting in riots in our correctional centres.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CORONA VIRUS: TIME TO COME TOGETHER

27^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

CORONA VIRUS: TIME TO COME TOGETHER

As the dreaded global pandemic, corona virus, debilitates populations worldwide, an Islamic human rights outfit, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reminded Nigerians of different callings that there is no better time to come together. MURIC revealed this in a statement issued on Friday, 27^th March, 2020 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“The latest toll from Corona Virus, also known as Covid-19, is alarming. As at today, Friday 27^th March, 2020, this dreaded virus has taken the lives of 24,071 people around the world. According to Worldometer, there are also 531,799 confirmed cases of infections. With the number of deaths now at 1,000, the United States now leads in the area of fatality.

“Nigerians should not lose sight of the hidden message in this global tragedy. The most important message is that despite belonging to different faiths, races, colour, etc, the whole of mankind is woven together in fate. We should therefore seek to sink our differences. We should put all human heads under the same thinking cap and eliminate stigma, racism and all forms of discrimination. Our watchword should be humanity first.

“Nigerians should not allow this opportunity to slip by without taking a giant leap across the yawning abyss. Nigerians are too divided over primordial, infinitesimal and inconsequential things. It is either over creed, ethnicity or politics. Yet there are still divisions within every issue at stake.

“Although Muslims and Christians tear at each other’s throats in this country, Muslims still have differences within Islamdom and ditto for Christians. Again, while the Igbo rave at Hausa-Fulani, both groups still nurse deep-seated intra-ethnic grievances. The Egba/Ijebu and Modakeke/Ife rivalry is well known among the Yoruba. Inter-party bitterness in Nigeria may be condemnable but the intra-party intolerance is most despicable.

“Yet right now a common enemy in the name of Corona Virus is on the prowl. America’s nuclear bomb and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) are useless against it. No alliance is being contemplated by the West to fight the common foe. This makes mockery of man’s inhumanity to man. We marshalled the most dangerous weapons against fellow homo sapiens but failed to prepare to defend humanity against corona virus.  

“MURIC charges leaders of different religions and ethnic groups in Nigeria to create new bridges at this particular period. Let us make new compromises towards resolving seeming intractable problems. Let us be persuaded by the phenomenon of Covid-19 which knows no colour, no race, no political party or ethnicity. It does not discriminate between a Muslim, a Christian or the adherents of any other religion. This is the time for all of us to sink our differences. What matters is our dear country, Nigeria. What matters is humanity.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)