ANAMBRA BAN ON MINI SKIRTS VINDICATES HIJAB STRUGGLE – MURIC

 

22^nd September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

ANAMBRA BAN ON MINI SKIRTS VINDICATES HIJAB STRUGGLE – MURIC   

 

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra announced a ban on use of miniskirts by school girls in public and private schools on Monday, 19^th September, 2022. Meanwhile an Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has hailed the ban. MURIC argued that the ban is in consonance with the clamour for hijab by Muslim groups in Nigeria.

 

This was contained in a statement issued by the director of the human rights group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, late on Thursday, 22^nd September, 2022.

 

The statement reads:

 

“The governor of Anambra State, Dr. Charles Soludo announced a ban on use of miniskirts by school girls in public and private schools on Monday, 19^th September, 2022 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/09/anambra-bans-use-of-miniskirts-as-school-uniform-2/; https://pointblanknews.com/pbn/news/anambra-bans-miniskirts-in-private-public-schools/). We fully endorse this gesture. It is forward looking, dynamic and patriotic

 

.  

 

“This is one of the ways of knowing genuine statesmen as opposed to ordinary politicians whose eyes are only on the next election. Statesmen think of the nation whereas politicians think of the next election. Charles Soludo has elected the former and acted in the interest of the girl-child, morality and discipline.

 

“This is worthy of emulation by other state governors. There is no gainsaying the fact that the present school uniforms are inviting and provocative. They constitute a danger to school girls. We must protect the innocent girl-child from the prying eyes of sexually perversive men.

 

“The problem with our society and many parts of the world today is the contradictions in our lives. In one fell swoop we claim that we detest rape yet we encourage indecent dressing in form of body hugs, front and back cleavages and hot pants. Women now dress to kill yet we expect the victims to just die without lifting a finger. How realistic is this?

 

“The world is still battling HIV and AIDS yet we encourage the use of short and seductive skirts by school girls. Cleaners who work in school environments now pick more condoms in school premises than pieces of paper and we think we are doing the right thing.

 

“This is where the beauty of Islam lies. It has identified a major societal problem and recommended an effective solution for it. Islamic organisations in Nigeria who have been canvassing for the use of hijab in schools have been vindicated by Soludo’s eagle-eyed leadership. Soludo may not have been Nostradamus, the man who saw tomorrow, but he is sharp enough to see where the danger lies and bold enough to make a pronouncement on it. That is proactive leadership.

 

“Those who are still asking why Muslims are affirmative on the hijab question should ask Soludo what he saw in Anambra girls wearing short skirts to school. We have been vindicated.

 

“MURIC charges Nigerian Muslims to remain constant like the northern star. With the Supreme Court judgement, victory is closer to us than our jugular veins. Let us remain consistently consistent. We can see the light shining after a long period of darkness. The hijab question is a major milestone in the struggle for the liberation of Muslims from the shackles of feudalistic elitism, oppression, neo-colonialism and neo-imperialism in Nigeria. It is just a matter of time. We shall get there.”   

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MAINTAIN THE WINNING TEMPO : MURIC TELLS SECURITY AGENCIES

 

14^th September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MAINTAIN THE WINNING TEMPO :

MURIC TELLS SECURITY AGENCIES

 

An Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has urged the security agencies to keep up the current tempo. The group observed that men of the Nigerian Army, the Police and the Department of State Services have turned on the heat on insurgents, kidnappers and other criminals in recent times thereby putting them on the run.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, 18^th September, 2022, by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads :

 

“A new trend has emerged in the Nigerian security architecture. We have observed the new energy and change of strategy in the campaigns conducted by men of the Nigerian Army, the Police and the Department of State Services. They have turned on the heat on insurgents, kidnappers and other criminals in recent times thereby putting them on the run.

 

“We find it necessary to make our observation public in view of the tornado of criticisms directed at the Nigerian security agencies in the recent past. We expect those who lampooned the security agencies at that time to speak up now that the situation has improved. It is a moral obligation. Public analysts must not be selective if they want to be seen as objective.

 

“Latest reports confirm our findings that Nigerian security agencies have now gained the upper hand against hitherto marauding criminals. Just two days ago, gallant men of the Nigerian Police rescued two female kidnap victims in Kaduna (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/09/police-rescue-2-female-kidnap-victims-in-kaduna/).

 

“Five days ago, exactly on 12^th September, 2022, police rescued three other kidnap victims and recovered stolen vehicles in the same Kaduna (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/09/12/police-rescue-three-victims-of-kidnap-recover-vehicles-in-kaduna/). Two weeks ago, on 30^th August, 2022, 12 kidnap victims were rescued by the police in Zamfara State (https://punchng.com/police-rescue-12-kidnap-victims-in-zamfara/).

 

“Again on 21^st August, 2022, another two victims were rescued in Zamfara by the police (https://www.channelstv.com/2022/08/21/police-rescue-two-kidnap-victims-in-zamfara-2/) while the Katsina Police Command successfully rescued victims of a terrorist attack on Wapa village, Kurfi Local Government on 19^th August, 2022 (https://punchng.com/katsina-police-rescue-kidnap-victims/). The Nigerian Police performed the same feat in Kwara State on 17^th August, 2022 when they rescued four kidnap victims (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/08/17/police-rescue-four-kidnapped-victims-in-kwara/).

 

“In the same vein, troops have neutralized hundreds of insurgents and bandits in several parts of the North while the air force have turned life into hell and made it difficult for them to mobilise. Criminals who used to assemble openly for their nefarious activities have now been forced to take cover under the trees from where ground troops smoke them out.

 

“Gallant Nigerian soldiers have taken the battle to the hideouts of criminals and they are getting results. This outcome has led to optimism among residents of Northern communities (https://www.sunnewsonline.com/northwest-residents-celebrate-improved-security-situation-caution-against-relapse/). The pressure is so much on the criminals that they are now surrendering in droves. No fewer than 24,000 terrorists have surrendered in the North East alone. (https://businessday.ng/news/article/24000-terrorists-surrender-to-nigerian-troops-in-north-east-dhq/).

 

“Nigeria’s motor parks are now filled with people going by road to Abuja from Kaduna, from Abuja to Lagos, Lagos to Port Harcourt, etc. Our roads have become safe again courtesy of our gallant security agents.

 

“We will say it for the umpteenth time, Nigerians should desist from demarketing their country. We have no other. The same Nigeria that some unpatriotic elements are deriding has been so attractive to some British, Italian, and other foreigners that about 286 of them recently applied to naturalise and they became Nigerian citizens (https://punchng.com/286-britons-lebanese-italians-others-get-nigerian-citizenship/). We must not lose sight of the greatness of our country.

 

“MURIC gives kudos to our gallant troops. We salute men of the Nigeria Police and those of the Department of State Security (DSS) who feed others with intelligence upon which they build their onslaughts. We urge them all to sustain the tempo. We must give criminals no breathing space.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE GEN ABDULLAHI MURAINA

 

14^th September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE GEN ABDULLAHI MURAINA

An Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has paid tribute to the Late General Muraina Abdullahi (rtd) who died on Friday, 9^th September, 2022. MURIC described the late army general as a fully committed Muslim and a quiet and uncommon philanthropist.

MURIC’s tribute came on Wednesday, 14^th September, 2022 via a press statement released to newsmen by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“General Muraina (rtd) died in Dubai on Friday, 9^th September, 2022 at the age of 64. Prior to his retirement, he was the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Nigerian Army Headquarters. A great son of Ibadanland, the Late General Muraina was a honourary life member of the Ibadan Recreation Club and the Aare Ajagundola of Iseyinland.

“He was the 23rd President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). He was a Fellow of the NIM as well as a Fellow, Certified National Accountants and Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He was equally a member, Institute of Directors of Nigeria and an alumnus of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

“He had a taste of traditional Islamic education early in life. He had his elementary education at the Islamic Mission School, Odoye, Ibadan. He had his first taste of military career in 1972 when he gained admission into the Nigerian Military School, Zaria before proceeding to the Polytechnic in 1976. He bagged a Bachelor of Science at the University of Lagos and a Master of Science at the University of Ilorin.

“News of his death came to us with a rude shock. The late general has been known to our team since the 90s. He and his wife were the first pillars of support for Telly Dawah and MURIC. He was a fully committed Muslim and a quiet and uncommon philanthropist. He was extremely kind and generous to a fault. He could give his right eye to anyone in need.

“General Abdullahi Iyanda Muraina will not hurt a fly, gentle yet gallant, an uncommon soldier, hardly would anyone identify him as belonging to the Nigerian Army. He was a patriot and a gentleman nulli secundus. He was the embodiment of humility.

“MURIC owes him and his family tons of obligations which we can never fulfil, particularly his wife, Alhaja Habeebat Muraina, whom members of MURIC fondly refer to as the ‘woman with the heart of gold’. We are full of regrets that we have not been able to repay a single fraction of his kindness to us. Our hearts bleed.

“But as Muslims, we accept the decision of Almighty Allah and we are certain that Allah will reward them in manifold. We pray that Allah forgives him, have mercy on him and grant him a lofty place in Al-Jannah Firdaus. We also pray for his loving wife and children. May Allah strengthen them. May Allah fill the yawning lacuna left behind by the head of the family.

“This prayer from us is still not enough. We therefore urge Muslims throughout the country to offer special prayers for the repose of General Muraina’s soul and for the safety of those he left behind. General Muraina deserves this and even more. He was an integral part of MURIC from the scratch and our story can never be complete without mentioning him. We have lost a gem.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

UNILORIN VC: MURIC CONGRATULATES EGBEWOLE

 

10^th September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

UNILORIN VC: MURIC CONGRATULATES EGBEWOLE

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated Professor Wahab Egbewole for emerging the 12^th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin.

MURIC’s congratulatory message was signed by the director of the organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 10^th September, 2022.

It reads:

“A new vice chancellor has been announced at the University of Ilorin. He is Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole. He will succeed Professor Sulyman AbdulKareem Age whose five-year tenure will end 15^th October, 2022.

“Egbewole beat 29 contestants out of whom 13 were shortlisted in the race for the highly coveted office of the prestigious tertiary institution in a keenly contested exercise.

“A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Egbewole has spent 25 years in the university. He is a legal luminary with a PhD in law and jurisprudence. He is therefore most eminently qualified for the post of vice chancellor.

“We rejoice with professor Wahab Egbewole on this lofty appointment. For somebody who is very hardworking, an unparalleled academic and a seasoned administrator, it is a well-deserved position. As a quiet humanist and unsung philanthropist, both the students and staff of the university are set for pleasant surprises in welfare matters. The University of Ilorin has caught a big fish.

“MURIC commends the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of the University of Ilorin as well as members of the governing council for employing objectivity and following due process in their search for a new vice chancellor. It was their adherence to high level standards and global best practices which eventually produced the great asset which Professor Egbewole represents.  

“We have no scintilla of doubt that Professor Egbewole will take the University of Ilorin to greater heights. We advise the new vice chancellor to keep his eyes on the ball, maintain his well-known stand on principles and remain faithful to his flair for striving for excellence.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

STOP KILLING OF MUSLIMS IN SOUTH EAST – MURIC

 

8^th September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

STOP KILLING OF MUSLIMS IN SOUTH EAST – MURIC

 

The Abuja chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised the alarm over the continuous killing of Muslims in the South East by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). MURIC is worried that Islam may soon go into extinction in the region if the killings continue unabated.

 

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday, 8^th September, 2022, by the chairman of the organization in Abuja FCT chapter, Ustadh Yunus Salahudeen.

 

The statement reads:

 

“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has turned the South East into a huge killing ground with Muslims as the main targets. IPOB’s latest Muslim victim, Shaykh Ibrahim Iyiorji was killed in front of his house which is located at Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and in the presence of members of his family just four days ago on Sunday, 4^th September, 2022.

 

“Earlier, seven Muslims were killed on Friday, 5^th August, 2022 in Orogwe community, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State when suspected IPOB members opened fire on them (https://dailynigerian.com/ipob-attacks-hausa-community/).

 

“Four Muslims, Rabiu Aminu (45), Abdul Kadir Muktar (33), Aminu Amadu (37) and Rabiu Isaka (30) were shot dead in Umuaka, near Orlu on 4^th April, 2021 (https://www.sunnewsonline.com/hausa-community-pleads-for-calmness-as-gunmen-kill-4-northerners-in-imo/).

 

“Eleven Muslims were killed in Port Harcourt and Orlu on 20^th October, 2020 during the #EndSARS protests. After burning Ehime Mbano Police station, the attackers killed an innocent Muslim by name Abdullahi Ahmadu with his cows at Isieweke Ihite Iboma LGA on 27^th April, 2021.

 

“Five innocent Northern Muslims were also killed at an Hausa settlement near the popular Abraka Market in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, 15^th September, 2017. Scores of others were injured. In another attack, an irate IPOB mob attacked the Yoruba Mosque in Umuahia, Abia State. The marauding hoodlums destroyed the mosque, tore copies of the Glorious Qur’an and defecated inside the mosque. Some Yoruba Muslims caught up in the mayhem were manhandled and robbed of their laptops and handsets.

“It is therefore another wicked, malicious and luciferous variation of ‘truth’ for anyone to claim that it is only Christians that are being killed in Nigeria. We call the attention of Western embassies in the country, particularly the United States of America, to the brutish slaughtering of Muslims in the South East.

“Besides targeted killings, places of worship belonging to Muslims are attacked at random. Exempli gratia, two mosques were set ablaze by the Igbo in Enugu on Saturday, 31^st October, 2020. The only surviving Islamic School in the South East which is located at Afikpo, Ebonyi State has also received threats of impending invasion. The Orlu Central Mosque was completely destroyed during the #EndSARS riot.

“Many Muslims in Igboland have gone into hiding. Hundreds have fled the region to escape from these heartless killers. The few Igbo Muslims who have elected to hang around continue to live in constant fear, whether at home or on the streets.

“MURIC strongly condemns the continuous, targeted, strategic and methodical killing of Muslims in the South East. It is crystal clear at this stage that the aim of those waging this bloody campaign is to exterminate all vestiges of Islam from the region.  

“MURIC appeals to the security agencies in the South East to protect innocent and law abiding Muslims living in the region. We remind the state governors in this area of interest to that the security of lives and properties is the primary business of government at both federal and state levels.

“Apart from the systematic physical elimination of Muslims in the region, Igbo Muslims are treated like second class citizens. They are accused of embracing Hausa religion. Plots of land belonging to Islamic organisations in the South East are commandeered by state governments. They are denied certificates of occupancy. Mosques are demolished at will and Muslim pilgrims boards are unable to operate normally.”  

Ustadh Yunus Salahudeen,

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

Abuja Chapter.

 

ALLOW ABUJA-KADUNA TRAIN TO RESUME – MURIC

 

2^nd September, 2022

PRESS RELEASE:

ALLOW ABUJA-KADUNA TRAIN TO RESUME – MURIC

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to families of victims of train attack on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line to allow the train service to resume.

 

The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Friday, 2^nd September, 2022 by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads :

 

“Bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on 28^th March 2022, killing eight, injuring 26 and kidnapping about 300 passengers. The bandits have since been releasing their victims in batches and only 23 remain in captivity (https://dailypost.ng/2022/09/01/23-victims-of-kaduna-abuja-train-attack-still-in-captivity-five-months-after/).

 

“Attempts by the Nigerian Railway Corporation to resume operation on the Abuja-Kaduna route was met with stiff resistance as families of abducted victims vowed to disrupt such resumption unless the victims were released (https://punchng.com/abductees-families-vow-to-stop-abuja-kaduna-train-resumption/). The status quo has since remained.

 

“MURIC sympathises with families of the victims. We feel their pain. It has been traumatizing for every patriotic Nigerian and they have been praying for the victims. The kidnapped victims are in our thoughts everyday.

 

“But no one should politicise the sad development. It is time to move on. While the Federal Government must continue to work towards the release of the 23 remaining victims, we must allow the railway authorities to resume work because thousands of Nigerians who need the services are being deprived this dividend of democracy on a daily basis. Resumption of work is therefore in the best interest of a greater majority of Nigerians.

 

“We must base our actions on the enlightened thought of Jeremy Bentham (1907) who argued that the moral quality of an action must be judged by its consequences on human happiness. He therefore concluded that mankind must aim at the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

 

“We believe that it is time to apply this principle of governance and morality to the Abuja-Kaduna train attack imbroglio. It has been a very sad and unfortunate incident and we solidarise with the victims and their families. But life must continue particularly in view of the large number of citizens who are suffering the consequences.

 

“This is where the families of the victims need to do a rethink and allow the resumption of the train services. One major reason for this is that the disruption only serves the interest of the bandits and that of enemies of Nigeria. The decision to disrupt services was made in May 2022. Four months have passed since then and the trains have remained grounded.

 

“That is an integral part of Nigeria’s infrastructure. If anyone thinks he is depriving President Muhammadu Buhari of the joy of achievement in the area of railway transportation by disrupting train services, such a person is making a big mistake. It was Barrack Obama who said, ‘Hoping your president fails is the same as hoping your country fails, and it is not patriotism. Patriotism is supporting your Commander-in-Chief even if you don’t agree with him on everything’.

 

“Unfortunately it is another vital part of the anatomy of the North that is bleeding. Transportation facilitates ease of business and Northern economy loses crucial doses every single day that the train disruption continues. The families of the train victims should realise that only a section of the country is suffering as a result of their protestation. Train services continue to run on the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri routes.

“That is selective justice. But how much of this hurts FG? We must put on correct thinking caps and only rational, creative and progressive caps can make any meaning. We need caps that can enable us to think like true and patriotic Nigerians.   

“People lose their dear ones everyday. Kidnappers strike everywhere on a daily basis. The families of the victims of kidnapping and other attacks have never attempted to stop innocent Nigerians from enjoying the services of either a local or state government on account of such attacks. It is only in the case of this Abuja-Kaduna train attack that we find families of the victims turning on the government for a pound of flesh. We are therefore compelled to think there may be more to the train attack than meets the eyes.  

“Unfortunately it is other innocent Nigerians who are feeling the impact of their demand. This is why we call on those threatening to disrupt the Abuja-Kaduna train services unless the victims of the attack are released to drop the demand.

“It is no longer tenable. The threat has lasted too long without achieving the required result. Schools are still open and functioning in Chibok and in Borno State in general despite the fact that majority of the Chibok girls are yet to be released.

“Another bitter truth is that those who refuse to allow Abuja-Kaduna trains to resume work are not punishing FG. They are punishing innocent Nigerians. Buhari does not ride this train. Neither does Amaechi. We need to be reasonable sometimes.

“We appeal to well-meaning Nigerians, groups and institutions to speak up on this issue. We must speak the truth to the families or whoever is behind the threat. The Arabs say ‘Silence on abomination is abomination (As-sukuutu ‘ala al-munkar munkar)’. Malcolm X was thinking along this line when he said, ‘I am for truth, no matter who says it. I am for justice, no matter who it is for or against’.

“Late Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto once said, ‘The greatest weapon is truth’. Isn’t it high time we use that weapon to find solution to the train impasse? Why are we not hearing any appeal targeted at the families of the train attack victims? Must thousands of innocent Nigerians continue to suffer like this?

“The continued silence of stakeholders is not the best. It is true that we can speak truth to power. But it is not to power alone. We must be ready to speak truth to the other party too. That is why Samuel Butler (1835 – 1902) said, ‘Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden, not silence.’

“Permit us to reiterate that our appeal to families of the victims to allow train services to resume on the Abuja-Kaduna route should not be misinterpreted as asking us to forget the victims. FG must continue to seek ways of securing their release while Nigerians should continue praying for the safety of the remaining 23 victims.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)