KANO SAN’S DEATH: MURIC SENDS CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

22^nd April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

KANO SAN’S DEATH: MURIC SENDS CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sent a message of condolence to the governor of Kano State, family, friends and colleagues of former Attorney General of the state, Aliyu Umar, SAN, who died on Friday, 17^th April, 2020. He was 68 years old.

MURIC’s condolence message was issued by the human rights advocacy group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 22^nd April, 2020.

“The late Aliyu Umar who was called to bar in 1978 was an expert in criminal law. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) eight years ago.

He was the epitome of piety, humility and dignity. A legal mentor per excellence, the learned silk was highly respected in legal circles, particularly in criminal litigation. Most importantly, the late SAN successfully combined professionalism in his career with spiritualism, maintaining a balance between the bar and the mosque.  

“Our personal interface with him each time MURIC had cause to consult a senior lawyer revealed his deep knowledge, his wide exposure and his respect for decorum. Aliyu Umar would not stomach dirty courtroom gimmicks. He played by the rules. Nigeria has lost a great legal icon. We miss him tenderly.

“MURIC hereby commiserates with the governor and the good people of Kano State as well as members of his family, on the passing away of Aliyu Umar, SAN. We also condole his friends and colleagues, particularly members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Kano chapter. We pray that Almighty Allah forgives him and repose his soul in Al-Jannah firdaus. May Allah also grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: MURIC GIVES CASH, FOOD TO NIGERIANS

20^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: MURIC GIVES CASH, FOOD TO NIGERIANS 

As COVID-19 continues to diminish the numerical strength in world populations and assail the health condition of over 1.5 million people across the globe, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has revealed its contributions towards the amelioration of hunger and hardship associated with the lockdown in Nigeria.

The Islamic human rights group revealed that it launched what it termed MURIC COVID-19 RELIEF SCHEME in March 2020 and Muslims from all parts of the country have been donating to the scheme while the money realized is being steadily channeled to widows, orphans and other vulnerable Nigerians through the state chairmen of the organization,

This was revealed in a press statement issued by the director and founder of the human rights advocacy group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday, 20^th April, 2020.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that COVID-19 is a deadly pandemic and we in MURIC realized very early that all hands must be on deck to combat its spread as well as to ameliorate the suffering of the people. MURIC in particular has a special interest in generating palliatives for vulnerable Nigerians during this lockdown.

“This is because apart from our motto which is, ‘Dialogue, No Violence’, we must work in consonance with MURIC’s popular dogma which says, ‘We are oppressed until the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered’. The implication of this ideology is that we are allergic to people’s suffering. We have a phobia for violence, bloodshed, tyranny, oppression, hunger, starvation, disease and all kinds of unfavourable human conditions capable of inflicting pain and trauma on homo sapiens.

“To this end, we launched ‘MURIC COVID-19 RELIEF SCHEME’ on 29^th March, 2020. It was a nation-wide campaign which attracted donations from Muslims all over the country. As at midnight of Sunday, 19^th April, 2020 (yesterday), the scheme has netted N2,210,500.00 (two million, two hundred and ten thousand, five hundred naira.

“To date, we have disbursed N2,033,000 (two million and thirty-three thousand naira), leaving N177,500 (one hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred naira only. Our disbursements are channeled through the chairmen of state branches of MURIC, e.g. Mallam Hassan Sani Indabawa (chairman, Kano branch), Mustapha Ibrahim (Kaduna), Aminu Abdullahi Yalwa (Katsina), Muniru Shehu (Sokoto), Hajia Haleemah Muhammed Sani (Kogi), Dr. Nurudeen Oloso (Oyo), Alhaji Tajudeen Jimoh (Ogun), Alhaji Jibril Ette (Akwa Ibom), Salahudeen Ustadh Yunus (Abuja), etc.   

“These branch chairmen have been able to operate at grassroots level. They identified vulnerable Nigerians and gave them relief materials in cash and kind. Thus we have been able to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians in our own little way. For example, the Lagos State chapter of MURIC embarked on a ‘3-Day Feed the Hungry’ campaign last week by sharing rice on Wednesday 14^th April, 2020, gari on Thursday, 16^th April, 2020 and cooked rice in takeaways on Friday, 17^th April, 2020.

“In addition, our Katsina state chapter under Aminu Abdullahi Yalwa and MURIC’s Ambassador to the state, Mohammed Idris Ruma, presented cartons of spaghetti to the Katsina state government on Thursday, 16^th April, 2020. Other state branches have also shared foodstuff and cash to members of the public.

“Furthermore, we have received distress calls from hungry Nigerians and we have responded by sending cash directly to their bank accounts. It may be as little as N5,000 or even N2,000 at times but the reactions we get from them shows the gravity of their plight, the depth of abject poverty among poor Nigerians and the suffering of Nigerians during this inevitable and life-saving lockdown. We are also happy to declare that our relief packages both in cash and kind is for all Nigerians. We do not discriminate between tribes or faiths. We give all so long as we still have.

“For probity and accountability, we give daily updates about donations received, amount transferred to the accounts of state chairmen and the balance. The chairmen also supply information concerning how allocations received by them are disbursed. We make the system transparent and this has infused confidence in our donors. But these reports are not so important as our consciousness of the final report which each of us must give Allah yaom al-Qiyamah (on the Day of Judgement). Interestingly, donations to MURIC cuts across tribes. Muslims donate to us from the North, from Abuja capital territory and from the South.

“We hereby express profound appreciation to our donors who made it possible to reduce hunger and suffering among Nigerians during COVID-19 lockdown. To the donors we say, ‘The beneficiaries may not know you. The hungry who have been fed may not have received directly from your hands. But Allah heard their cries when they were in distress, He also heard their sighs of relief upon receiving what you sent to them through us. Most importantly, He heard their silent and loud prayers for those who brought help to them. Be rest assured that those prayers from the heart of the poor climb swiftly above the clouds and reach the Divine Throne.

“In our concluding remarks, we appeal to Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers. We charge wealthy individuals to give more at this trying moments. Nigerians are hungry. Give your neighbour something no matter how little. We have met whole family of eight that have had nothing to eat for three consecutive days. We have seen pain and anguish boldly printed on the faces of fellow Nigerians. It is pathetic. Our hearts bleed.

As Ramadan approaches, we remind Muslims in particular that they must renew acts of charity in the holy month. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, ‘Anyone who fills his stomach but ignores his hungry neighbor is not a Muslim’.

“We urge the federal and state governments to consider the possibility of relaxing the lockdown temporarily so that the calamity which we are trying to avoid in the straight may not occur in the bends. Hunger has the potential of provoking criminality which, in turn, is capable of leading to death. Nigerians must also religiously follow the instructions of health authorities and those of the government. Stay at home or maintain social distance if you have to go out. Wash your hands frequently or use sanitizers. Nigeria needs you alive, not dead.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC MOURNS ABBA KYARI

18^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC MOURNS ABBA KYARI

The death of Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff (COS) to President Muhammadu Buhari, was announced last night. He died from complications from Corona virus disease after battling with the virus for about one month.

Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condoled with the President Muhammadu Buhari, the family of the former COS, the deceased’s personal friends and the generality of Nigerians. The group’s condolence message was contained in a press statement issued by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Saturday, 18^th April, 2020.

MURIC said, “We commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari, the family of the former COS, the deceased’s personal friends and the generality of Nigerians. Abba Kyari will be remembered for his uncommon loyalty, his incomparable patriotism and his thoroughness. He was an administrative colossus, a political juggernaut and a spinner nulli secundus. Abba Kyari knew not only how to hit the iron when it is hot, but how to make the iron hot by heating it at the right time.

“MURIC is greatly saddened by the demise of Abba Kyari. We mourn a great son of the soil. A thick darkness has enveloped our great country, Nigeria. But even though our hearts are heavy with grief, we submit as believers to the decree of Almighty Allah in whose hands lies the decision to let live or to recall to mother earth.

“May Allah forgive him and repose his soul in Al-Jannat Al-Firdaus. May He also give President Muhammadu Buhari another COS of like character and quality. We also pray that Allah gives the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. In the same vein, we pray for the recuperation of all those who have been infected by the virus.

“We foresee the likelihood of some elements in the society celebrating the death of this administrative colossus, particularly critics of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. To such people we say, “You are just displaying your ignorance. Is Abba Kyari the only one in the corridors of power who have fallen to the deadly Corona virus? Are you unaware of tens of world celebrities who have become victims of the virus? Are you also immune to COVID-19?

“As we draw the curtain, we remind cynics and recalcitrant Nigerians that COVID-19 is real. A major lesson which we can draw from this unfortunate incident is that there is no more ambiguity about COVID-19. If indeed it can penetrate the seat of power, it means no one is immune from it.

“We therefore advise Nigerians to eschew stubbornness and cynicism. They should obey instructions given by health officials and the government. Avoid crowded places, maintain social distance, stay at home, wash your hands regularly with soap and avoid touching your face. Only living Nigerians can serve Nigeria.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: MURIC DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY IN PALLIATIVES

17^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: MURIC DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY IN PALLIATIVES

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded transparency in the process leading to the identification of indigent Nigerians and vulnerable people within communities at grassroots level.  MURIC questioned the manner names of beneficiaries of relief packages are being collated.

This was revealed in a press statement signed by the director of the human rights group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, 17^th April, 2020.

“We need to monitor the modalities for selection of indigent Nigerians and vulnerable people within communities at the grassroots. Government should release the names of community leaders who supplied names of beneficiaries. The parameters for collating names of beneficiaries should also be made public. Such yardsticks should be devoid of religious or partisan considerations. It is only when this is done that the system can be described as open.  

“We demand transparency in the process. Already, there are allegations of marginalization of sections of Nigerian citizens and people of particular faith in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives in some states. I think this should not be happening at a time when the whole of humanity faces this horrible monster.

“Exempli gratia, residents of Victory Estate, Iba in Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ojo Local Government in Lagos State have alleged total marginalization in the distribution of relief materials. They complained that not a single pack was received by any of the residents in a heavily populated estate. Incidentally this is an area fully dominated by people of Igbo extraction. Is it ethnicity or partisan politics? The Lagos State Government needs to look into this.  

We have received damning reports from some states but we want to be mature in the way we handle the allegations. This is not the time for parochial approaches. We will not name names but state governments where people are being marginalized on the basis of religion should take the cue from this message otherwise they will be exposed. We should not allow the integrity of the process to be eroded by individuals who have selfish interests.

“Finally, we encourage states to set up the machinery for the registration of senior citizens (anyone who is 60 and above). This data base can be used for the preparation of post-COVID-19 welfare packages for the elderly in each state. Such an arrangement will eject a heavy dose of humanity in our country. We must not be thinking of the present alone. We must plan for the future.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

LOCKDOWN EXTENSION: CREATE FEEDING CENTRES – MURIC

15^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

LOCKDOWN EXTENSION: CREATE FEEDING CENTRES – MURIC 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised the Federal, state and local government authorities to create feeding centres urgently in order to cushion the effect of the extension of COVID-19 lockdown. It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari extended the lockdown by two weeks in his broadcast yesterday, Monday, 14^th April 2020.

MURIC gave this advice in a press statement issued by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 15^th April, 2020.

“Though the extension is our best option if we don’t want to see Nigerians dropping dead on the streets, the federal, state and local governments must change their method of distributing palliatives. The idea of sharing raw foodstuff is not working. This method is being abused by corrupt officials. Much of the foodstuff is being diverted. It is not reaching the poor masses.

“Governments at all the three tiers must device means of making diversion of palliatives unwise, cumbersome, unprofitable and therefore unnecessary. This can be achieved by organizing central feeding points in all communities at the local, state and federal levels. The same foodstuffs that are being distributed can be opened up, cooked and served in take-away packages for distribution among hungry Nigerians.

“It will be unthinkable for corrupt officials to divert up to a quarter of cooked food without making a mess of their own houses, stores and offices. They will have no option than to distribute the take-away packages as arranged.

“Neither should distribution be a problem. Why is it easy for the electricity companies to reach every nook and cranny in the communities to distribute bills and collect money from poor Nigerians but difficult to locate the same poor people when distributing palliatives? Why is it possible for politicians to knock on every door on the street when soliciting for votes but impossible for the same politicians to share food to hungry people on the same street?

“Politicians should stop deceiving poor Nigerians. Most senators and members of the House of Representatives are yet to visit their constituencies during this COVID-19 saga. They are yet to sympathise with their constituents and ask what they need and how they are coping.

“We are constrained to cry out to the three tiers of government. Nigerians are hungry. Whole families are starving. Most of the raw foodstuff that are meant for poor Nigerians did not reach them. Whole areas have been neglected. Many streets did not see a single ‘derica’ of rice or gari. While we appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government in ameliorating the sufferings of Nigerians, we lay emphasis on the need to change the modus operandi.

“Hunger has produced its natural backlash in form of the astronomical rise in criminal activities in Abuja and Lagos. Young gangsters are attacking neighbourhoods in daytime. Gunshots now rent the air at night in places that have been peaceful for years. Parents cannot control the youth because they cannot feed them. Hunger has neutralized loco parentis and the moral right to question the young ones has vanished into thin air. The new audacity of gangsters in Lagos is an indication that the palliatives are not being delivered to the targeted recipients. Lagosians are hungry.

“One way out of this is for employers of labour to pay their workers very early this April particularly in places like Lagos and Ogun States. This will enable millions of working parents to feed their family. The young ones will stop raiding their neighbours’ houses once there is food at home.

“MURIC calls on all government officials involved in the distribution of palliatives to fear Allah. Each of you will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement. The federal, state and local government may not see you but Allah can see everything you are doing and the angels are recording every move of yours. You will be shocked when you are confronted with the video shot by angels showing how and where you hid foodstuffs meant for the poor, how you made hundreds of Nigerians suffer and how you sold foodstuff meant for the poor. If COVID-19 is real, al-Qiyamah is reality incarnate. You will certainly render accounts.

“In our closing remarks, we advise the authorities to stop distributing raw foodstuffs which are subject to diversion. Instead, they should create feeding centres and share out cooked foods in take-aways. We also call for early payment of workers’ salaries to enable parents effectively keep their children at home thereby reducing the incident of gangsterism.  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

EASTER MESSAGE: LET’S UNITE AGAINST OUR COMMON ENEMIES – MURIC

13^th April, 2020

               

EASTER MESSAGE:

LET’S UNITE AGAINST OUR COMMON ENEMIES – MURIC  

As Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Nigerian Christians to forge a common front with their Muslim compatriots in the fight against disease, insecurity, illiteracy, ethnic bigotry and religious extremism which are the common enemies of humanity.

This was stated by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director and Founder of MURIC in the group’s Easter message dispatched on Monday, 13^th April 2020. 

“We felicitate with Nigerian Christians on the occasion of the Easter season. We urge the body of Christ in Nigeria to recall the lessons of forbearance, tolerance and love which are embedded in Easter.

“Today’s events are particularly didactic as the whole of mankind faces a common enemy, viz, COVID-19. All the scientists of the world have not been able to come up with a solution to stop the massive deaths. It has defied our atomic and nuclear weapons, killing us in our thousands on a daily basis.

“This common enemy has shown that it does not discriminate between religions. Muslims have been forced to desert the mosques on Friday. The Ka’abah has been locked up for weeks. Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) was suspended. Like the sword of Damocles, the fear of this same Corona virus hangs above hajj 2020. Muslims may not congregate as usual during this fast-approaching Ramadan.

“For the first time in a very long period, Christians marked Easter without procession. Palm Sunday was streamed live and people had to watch and listen from their homes. Sunday services in church have been without the faithful for weeks.

“Can we now see clearly that we have been insulating ourselves against the wrong targets? The streets of the Vatican are empty, those of Makkah and Madinah are deserted. COVID-19 reigns supreme. Can we all see now? Diseases are our enemy, not the Christians or the Muslims. Ignorance, criminals, ethnic jingoists and religious fanatics are our common foes. These are the enemies we must fight, not one another.  

“MURIC charges Nigerians of different religious leanings to eschew bitterness and rancor. We urge religious leaders to sink their differences. We must come together willy-nilly in recognition of the fact that we need one another to face our common enemies, namely, disease, insecurity, illiteracy, ethnic bigotry and religious extremism.

“Before we take a break, we call attention to the way forward. We must investigate genuine complaints of marginalization, stigmatization, oppression and persecution with every sincerity. Thereafter, we must redress all wrongs and resolve to deal justly among ourselves, to love, to tolerate and to forgive ourselves. Only thus can we jointly find the means to fight and defeat our real enemies. COVID-19 is winning because the house built by homo sapiens is divided against itself. Let’s unite against our common enemies.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON: INCLUDE 54 SOLDIERS AMONG BENEFICIARIES – MURIC

10^th April, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON: INCLUDE 54 SOLDIERS AMONG BENEFICIARIES – MURIC

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday Thursday, 9^th April, 2020, ordered the release of 2,600 inmates of Nigeria’s correctional centres. This move has already been hailed by an Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). The commendation came on Friday, 10^th April, 2020 in a press release issued by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola who described the president’s action as timely and humane.

However, MURIC reminded those who are to implement the presidential pardon to include the 54 soldiers of the Nigerian Army who are currently serving a 10-year jail term for requesting for better weapons to fight Boko Haram.

“Some of the 54 soldiers are in Kirikiri and Ikoyi correctional centres. We urge the presidential team to visit those places. The war against terror will remain shady until the authorities give justice its prime of place. Funds meant for the purchase of weapons were being diverted to private pockets while our soldiers were stinted of vital equipment. Nobody knew about this fraud until the 54 soldiers cried out. It led to the exposure of the $2.1 billion armsgate. But instead of hailing the 54 soldiers as heroes of the land, they were clamped in jail. We hereby appeal to the committee handling the implementation of the presidential amnesty to consider them.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)