SALAH MESSAGE: NIGERIA CAN BE GREAT AGAIN

10^th August, 2019

SALAH MESSAGE:

NIGERIA CAN BE GREAT AGAIN

As Nigerian Muslims join more than two billion adherents of Islam from all over the world to celebrate the Id al-Kabiir tomorrow Sunday, 11^th August, 2019, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has urged Nigerians to work and pray for peace and stability.  

This was contained in the Salah message circulated to the media by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 10^th August, 2019. The organization felicitated with the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar as well as the generality of Nigerians for having the grace of witnessing this year’s Id al-Kabiir.

MURIC urged Nigerians to change their mindset from negativity to positivity and to adopt the principle of ‘ora et labora’ (work and pray) to overcome the challenges facing the country.  

“First, we must change our mindset from negativity to positivity. We must stop seeing Nigeria as a failed state. if a Muhammadu Buhari can be governor of the whole Northern region, military head of state, chairman Petroleum Trust Fund and now president of Nigeria without a single trace of corrupt enrichment, if Professor Ishaq Oloyede can remit N7.5 billions to JAMB’s coffers within one year alone whereas only N50 million naira was remitted by his predecessor in seven years, then there is indubitable evidence that not all Nigerians are corrupt.

“If an Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, the 83-year old Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau State can save 300 Christians from being killed, Muslim-Christian conflict can be resolved. If an air force man Bashir Umar can return 37,000 euros which he found in a parcel to its owner, then there is evidence that not all Nigerians are dishonest and greedy. Not all Nigerians are thieves.  

 “There is hope in the horizon. Nigeria is on the path of greatness. The panacea to our challenges are not far-fetched. First, we must change our mindset and believe that we can be great again. We must determine to rebuild our country, to love our neighbours, to shelve corruption, etc. We can call this our intention or niyyah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Intention comes before work” (an-niyyat qablal-‘amal). He also said, “Works shall be judged according to intentions” (Innamal a’maal binniyyaat).

“Initiate good intention to serve Nigeria and not self. This is part of the reengineering of the Nigerian mindset. Initiate an intention to start the new Nigeria. Let change begin with you. Eliminate that negative belief that everyone is corrupt and that nothing can work in your country.

“Drop that negative idea that it is impossible for us to live together. The late reagge maestro, Jimmy Cliff, probably had Nigeria on his mind when he sang the lines: ‘You can get it if you really try. But you must try, try and try. Try and try. You’ll succeed at last… Listen, Rome was not built in a day. Opposition will come your way. But the harder the battle, you see. Is the sweeter the victory now…’  

“Next, we must adopt the principle of ora et labora (i.e. pray and work). Prayer is the sword of those who have faith in God (Ad-du’aau sayful-Mu’min). We must follow our intention to change Nigeria with prayer and start working towards it. Prayer is good but we must work to follow it up. That is why the Romans say, ‘Ora et labora’.

“We must not spend the whole day on our knees or mats praying. Allah will bring the fishes but we must dig the bait. That is why the Qur’an says, “Work and Allah, His apostle and the believers will see your work” (Qur’an 9:105). The idea of Allah and the believers seeing your work is a metaphor for rewarding it. It is such reward that will serve as necessary incentive for more work and better service.

“It is in this context that we call on Nigerians to pray for the security agencies who are toiling day and night to bring the security challenge under control. They are fighting for us and dying for us. They spend sleepless nights so than we can sleep with both eyes closed. They are in the trenches come rain or shine so that we can enjoy peace in our homes.

“Let us reward them with prayers and active support. Let us pray for the families they leave at home. We must support them actively because security is a collective responsibility. Active support to the police can be in form of material support and giving reliable information. Companies, wealthy individuals and communities should donate vehicles, walki-talkies, etc to the police. It will make them more effective. We must not forget other arms of the security agencies like the civil defence and the secret service men. The latter work behind the scene and make huge sacrifices for our safety. They all deserve our prayers and support.

“In this same context again we are constrained to remind President Muhammadu Buhari of the plight of the 54 soldiers who have been in jail since 2014. If we are talking about rewarding those who risk their lives so that we can enjoy peace, we must not abandon those who fought against Boko Haram but are rotting in jail today.

“Once again we appeal to Mr. President to grant them presidential pardon. The 54 soldiers were those who asked their commander to provide them with better weapons before sending them back to the battle field. It was their request which exposed the 2.1 billion dollar arms fraud. They should be treated as heroes for exposing a scandal, not as criminals rotting in jail.

“On a last note, we urge Nigerians to change their mindset from negativity to positivity and to adopt the principle of ‘ora et labora’ as a panacea to overcoming the challenges facing the country. We must not lose hope. If Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) could receive a ram to replace his son at the last minute, there must be light at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria. Let us keep the fire of hope burning.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

NDLEA’S PROMOTION EXAM CLASHES WITH JUMU‘AH PRAYER

9^th August, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

NDLEA’S PROMOTION EXAM CLASHES WITH JUMU‘AH PRAYER

One of the courses to be taken during the forthcoming promotion examination of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) clashes with the statutory Friday Jumu‘ah prayer. The course, DDR, which stands for Drug Demand Reduction, is scheduled for 1130 to 1330 hours (i.e. 11.30 am to 1.30 pm) on Friday 16^th August, 2019. The course is billed to be taken by officers of the rank of CSN, meaning Chief Suprintendent of Narcotic.

This alarm was raised by the Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), in a press statement issued by its Director and Founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Friday 9^th August, 2019.  

“They have come again. Our oppressors have come again. First, they fixed the promotion examinations close to the Salah festival. Next, they scheduled it for a period when Muslim officers who have gone for hajj will have no chance to participate. Now comes the last straw that broke the camel’s back: even those Muslim officers who are around will have to choose between taking the examination and attending Jumu‘ah prayer. This is a deliberate attempt to ensure that no Muslim of the rank of CSN will be promoted in NDLEA. It had better not be. Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha must hear this. So must Abba Kyari.  

“This is the height of religious apartheid. There is nobody in this country who does not know when Muslims go for prayer on Friday. We are shocked that a major federal agency will do this. It is naïve, jejune and infantile. We are nonplussed that at a time when Europeans and Americans are announcing to participants at their conferences that special large rooms have been provided for Muslims in attendance to offer Salat, a prominent federal paramilitary unit is making it impossible for Muslims to observe the Jumu’ah prayer thereby embarking on the repression of Muslims and denying them their Allah-given fundamental human rights.

“Is the system so loose that a prominent department (and a sensitive one for that matter) will break well known rules with such reckless abandon? It is impunity taken too far. No wonder Nigerian youths and even married women are now highly tramadolised. Marijuana is now more common on the streets than ordinary cigarette. Heroine and cocaine are ten for one kobo. Why won’t they when drug officers who are supposed to watch the borders are busy laying ambush for religious rivals?

“How can officers be committed when they are denied elevation? Staff promotion in NDLEA is permanently on the hanger. There is no motivation. There are staff who have been due for promotion for more than ten or eight years and we are still counting. Yet NDLEA is trying to cut corners with the promotion of the same officers by attempting to marginalize the Muslims among them. We beg to disagree.  

“Who is behind this? Who fixed the timetable for this promotion examination? Nigerian Muslims want to know. Or has NDLEA been sold to a religious fanatic? We need answers to these questions very urgently. Must full-grown officers of the NDLEA be subjected to the same ridicule that young Muslim boys and girls face in some national examinations?

“When shall we be free? Must Muslims cringe and beg from cradle to the grave in this country before they can get their sui generis rights? We said it before that Muslims are being treated like second class citizens in Nigeria. The whole system is grossly Christianised. Otherwise why must any examination spill into the Muslim worship period?

“Why didn’t NDLEA fix the examination on a Sunday? That is where the Christianisation comes in. The Christian day of worship is highly revered and respectfully set aside as a sacred day. Thou shalt not touch Sunday. But Friday is violated by every Dick and Harry. It is abused to humiliate Muslims including senior Muslim officers. They are tied down to write some repressive examinations or remain seated at endless and meaningless meetings while the Jumu‘ah prayer is being observed by other Muslim faithfuls. Is that fair? This examination timetable is capable of plunging NDLEA into a huge controversy.

“Our detractors may find these words too harsh but that is because they don’t want to hear the truth. MURIC is blunt because it has to be so. It is part of dialogue. We have no other choice than to be frank when highly placed officials who are supposed to know better flagrantly break the rules. Anyway, it is better to be bitterly blunt than to flare up and jump to the streets, killing, maiming, burning and looting. That is what we will never do. This oppression has to stop. Friday must be given its sacred status and heads of departments must stop playing God in the lives of Muslims.

“In conclusion, we appeal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff (SGF) to the president, Abba Kyari, to call NDLEA to order. Those who have been due for promotion for so long should be elevated before any new promotion examination can be justifiable. The SGF should see to this.

“In addition, we call for immediate postponement of the coming NDLEA promotion examination. It is repressive and lopsided. The exercise should come up only after those who travelled for hajj have returned to the country. The timetable must also be reviewed forthwith. No examination should be held during Jumu‘ah prayer. In the interest of peaceful coexistence, we demand that a new circular suspending all official engagements on Friday from 12 noon be issued by the Federal Government. This will make Friday a half working day and permanently rest the Friday question”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

#REVOLUTIONNOW: BUHARI HAS OUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

7^th August, 2019

          

PRESS RELEASE:

#REVOLUTION NOW: BUHARI HAS OUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has declared a vote of confidence for President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration. This is coming in the face of the call for a revolution against the Nigerian government. MURIC argued that the proponents of #Revolutionnow have lost touch with reality.

The group’s position vis a vis #Revolutionnow was made known in a statement issued by its Director and Founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Wednesday, 7^th August, 2019.

“While it is on record that we have called for the release or arraignment of Omoyele Sowore, we affirm that the #Revolutionnow camp has lost touch with reality. How do you judge an administration which is yet to take off in its second term? What are the criteria the #Revolutionnow group has used to arrive at its hardline position?

“This is an administration that was ambushed, strangulated and sarakitised from the first day of its inauguration in May 2015. Are they blind to history? Today was born from the wombs of yesterday. Why can’t they take a glance at where this administration is coming from? Have they forgotten how the 8^th National Assembly (NASS) held the Buhari administration by the jugular for four good years?  

“So what has changed since then? How much time has Buhari spent in his second term? He has not even taken off. Wednesday 21^st August has just been fixed for the swearing-in of ministers. Why won’t they allow this government to settle down? Who is afraid of Buhari? Whose cupboard is full of skeletons? Why are they in so much haste?

“Does it mean that both the leaders and supporters of #Revolutionnow were pleased with the sarakitisation of Buhari’s first term? Where really do they stand in the war against corruption? Where were they when the 8^th Senate delayed budget for seven whole months?

“We put it to #Revolutionnow that it has misplaced its priorities and failed to identify the true enemies of Nigeria. #Revolutionnow should have organized its uprising against the 8^th NASS. By the way, where were they during the general elections that brought Buhari to power? How did they fare? Is it proper to change by force what the ballots refused to grant? It was Allah who joined Buhari and Nigerians together in the general elections. Let no #Revolutionnow seek to put asunder what Allah has joined together.

“Nigerians are witnesses to the tremendous progress made by the Buhari administration despite a hostile NASS. All contractual debts have been paid up. Treasury leakages were plugged. Internal revenue generation drive has increased while the tax regime has been made more effective. All pension arrears have been paid up including money owed Biafran war veterans.

“Not only that. Recession was overcome within one year and foreign reserve keeps growing despite low oil price. All Federal roads are being reconstructed across the country while fast and modern rails are emerging. The Second Niger Bridge is a living testimony and 13 modular refineries are currently being built in the Niger Delta.

“Nigeria’s economy is being restructured from oil-based to agriculture, solid mineral and manufacturing. Electricity generating capacity has moved from a lowly 3,000 megawatts to 7,000 megawatts. From a high profile renegade group which occupied 17 local governments under Jonathan, Boko Haram has been drastically humbled to a guerilla group that can only hit and run.

“You said Buhari has not achieved anything but who paid the arrears of former staffers of NITEL, NEPA, Nigerian Airways, Nigerian Railway, etc? What is the basis of your revolution against PMB? Where are Buhari’s billions? Where are his hilltop palaces? Can you compare PMB to other ex-presidents and heads of states in terms of wealth?

“You are rising against a man who refuses to steal. It just doesn’t add up. Ungrateful people, rebellious subjects, enemies of peace. Why are you behaving like the nine lepers who could not appreciate Jesus’ healing? ‘Were ten not healed? Where are the nine?’ (Luke 17:17).

“If it is the issue of killings and kidnappings, is it a new phenomenon? Was Buhari in charge when Odi massacre occurred? What of Zaki Biam? Who killed the 47 Biafrans whose corpses were dumped in Ozu River in 2013? Are we so naïve that we fail to realize that all the Oyenusis and the Evans now disguise as herdsmen and Fulanis just to cause confusion? Anarchists are trying to deceive us. #Revolutionnow is a fall guy, a guinea pig. Scientists will call him a ‘lab rat’.

“#Revolutionnow group must be the greatest jokers of the century if they cannot see the above achievements. We therefore urge Nigerians to ignore them. They simply want to gain by the bends what they failed to get by the straight. But must it be by hook or crook?   

“We submit that #Revolutionnow is fighting a proxy war for looters. It has allowed itself to become a willing tool in the hands of corrupt politicians and bad loosers. It is corruption fighting back. We feel the hands of Esau but we hear the voice of Jacob in #Revolutionnow. We therefore advise those behind it to retrace their steps. We warn distinguished Nigerians who have earned the respect of millions of their compatriots not to dance to the gallery. It is not mandatory to speak in support of every rascality. Real wise men are selective in times like this. It is unnecessary to find your finger in every pie.

“By the way, what alternative do the champions of #Revolutionnow have for Nigerians as they seek violent regime change? Whether they call their #Revolutionnow violent or nonviolent, is it time yet for another election? Have they forgotten Libya? Can’t they see what is happening in Syria and Iraq? Real activists respect democratic ideals but the reverse is the case with our friends. The open call for a revolution is a flagrant abuse of democratic principles. Who did this to #Revolutionnow?

“Sowore is a good material for future politicking but he has to redirect his energy towards reengineering Nigerian youth for service, patriotism and dignity, not towards removing a democratically elected government. A Fidel Castro, Thomas Sankara or Che Guevera profile is anachronistic, retarding and un-Nigerian. Even Nelson Mandela emerged through democratic process.  

“As we conclude this advocacy, we appeal to distinguished and elderly activists to tell Sowore the truth. We advise #Revolutionnow  to dismantle, dissolve into a political party and wait for 2023. Even a coup will not pay the group. Coups are no longer fashionable. The Buhari regime is not a product of violent change. It evolved via due democratic process. Any other process is therefore unlawful, illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional. In view of Buhari’s sterling qualities and his numerous fait accompli in spite of all odds, we affirm clearly, unambiguously and categorically that Mr. President has our vote of confidence.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

NDLEA 2019 PROMOTION EXAM IS ANTI-MUSLIM

6^th August, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

NDLEA 2019 PROMOTION EXAM IS ANTI-MUSLIM

The Islamic human rights group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has labelled the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as anti-Muslim for fixing its 2019 promotion examination for 15^th, 16^th & 17^th August, 2019 for Group One and 19^th, 20^th, & 21^st August, 2019 for Group Two.

According to MURIC, those dates automatically make it impossible for NDLEA staff who are Muslims and who went on hajj (pilgrimage) to partake in the promotion examination. This concern was raised in a statement circulated to the media by the group’s Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday 6^th August, 2019.

MURIC added, “Any date for promotion examination or any sensitive policy matter which fails to accommodate and reflect the multifaceted nature of our society is lopsided, unfair and punitive. It is bound to create tension. This is what the dates picked for NDLEA’s 2019 promotion examination has done. There is palpable tension in the air.

“Muslim staffers of NDLEA who went on hajj should not be unduly punished or marginalized. Hajj is a religious exercise covered by the clause on freedom of religion in Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is therefore a right, not a priviledge. Furthermore, hajj is not a frivolous spiritual sojourn as the Glorious Qur’an classifies it as the fifth pillar of Islam (Qur’an 22:26 – 33).

“It would have been a different cup of tea if the NDLEA management had announced the examination dates before those who went on hajj departed. It is therefore unfair to organize promotion exercise after some Muslims had already left the country. It is an anti-Muslim coup. This is most likely to put Muslim staff at a disadvantage. It has serious interfaith implications. Neither is it good enough for industrial harmony.

“Afterall NDLEA is not a private company. It was established by the Federal Government (FG) courtesy of decree 48 of 1989. We contend that management decisions in any jointly-owned establishment should accommodate all. For instance, it will be unfair to the Christian staff in any federal or state agency to fix promotion examination two days before or two days after Christmas.

“NDLEA had earlier intended to hold the promotion examination a few days before Salah. According to its circular signed by Yohanna Sila Mshelia, Director, Administration & Finance for Chairman/Chief Executive

reference number NDLEA/FIN/88/VOL VII/227 dated 1^st August 2019, the examination was ‘postponed to accommodate the coming Salah celebrations’.

“While we appreciate the postponement, it is our considered opinion that NDLEA should go the whole hog by allowing those who went on hajj to return before fixing another date. In the alternative, a safe date like the middle of September when all pilgrims would have returned to the country may be picked by the management of NDLEA.

“As we round off, we appeal to the NDLEA management to postpone the promotion examination to the middle of September 2019 when all Muslim staff who are currently in Saudi Arabia would have returned to the country. We urge NDLEA to seek unity among its staff and to promote industrial harmony at all times.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC CALLS FOR SOWORE’S RELEASE

3^rd August, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CALLS FOR SOWORE’S RELEASE

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was arrested around 1.35 am today Saturday, 3^rd August, 2019 by agents of the Department of State Security (DSS). Sowore is also the convener of #Revolutionnow and his arrest may not be unconnected with his recent call for protests for a revolution.

Meanwhile, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the politician cum activist.  This was contained in a press statement issued by the group late Saturday evening.

“We call on the DSS to respect Sowore’s Allah-given fundamental human rights. He must not be subjected to inhuman treatment. We remind the DSS that right to the dignity of the human person is entrenched in Section 34 (b) & (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended (2011) which says,

‘Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly…(b) no person shall be held in slavery or servitude and (c) no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

“The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 4, Clause 1 & 2 also says, ‘Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person.’ Sowore must therefore be allowed access to his family members and physician. He must also be treated with civility.

“Although we do not subscribe to the call for any revolution because we do not see the need for it in view of the commitment of the present administration to good governance, we deem it fit to call for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained activist. In the alternative, he must be arraigned before a competent court at the shortest time possible.

“Finally, we remind the DSS of the provisions of Article 7(b) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which stipulates the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court or tribunal. Nigeria is a signatory to this charter and the DSS cannot pretend to be unaware of it.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

PRAY FOR SAFE RETURN OF ABDUCTED PASTORS

3^rd August, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

PRAY FOR SAFE RETURN OF ABDUCTED PASTORS

Five pastors belonging to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) were yesterday abducted on the Benin-Shagamu expressway, around the Ogbere axis, Ogun State. They were seized in an Abia Transport Company bus while travelling from the Eastern part of the country to attend a programme at the RCCG camp on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The Ogun State Police Command identified the five pastors as Chidioze Eluwa, Chiemela Iroha, Okoro Ohowukwe, Ndubuizi Owuabueze and Ibeleji Chidinma, the only female among them.

In a statement circulated among the media on Saturday, 3^rd August, 2019, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) called for prayers for the safe return of the victims and for peace and tranquility to return to Nigeria. The statement was signed by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We are deeply distressed by this ugly development. We empathise with Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the RCCG. We urge Nigerians to join Pastor Adeboye in prayer for the quick and safe return of the kidnapped pastors.

“Our appeal for prayers is to all Nigerians regardless of religion or tribe. We are one from Adam and Adam was from ordinary sand. It must be humanity first. Let us unite in prayers. A nation that prays together stays together.

“In particular, we beseech Nigerian Muslims who are currently on hajj (pilgrimage) to add the safe return of the five pastors to their prayer points. We appeal to those among them who are already in Makkah to perform a special tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’abah) and Sa‘y to ask Almighty Allah to intervene in the plight of the pastors. Those who are still in Madinah are urged to offer two rak‘ahs each at the Prophet’s (SAW) mosque for the same purpose.

“In addition, we call on all Muslim Asalatu groups throughout Nigeria to dedicate time to special prayers for the five pastors during their Asalatu sessions tomorrow Sunday 4^th August, 2019. They should please pray to Allah to stop the spate of criminality in our country.

“This is not the time for blame game. Those who concentrate on blaming government and the security agencies are chasing shadows. They have missed the substance. The reality is that security is the responsibility of all of us. These kidnappers grew up in some families. This is indubitable evidence of the collapse of family values. Greed has supplanted self-satisfaction and immorality has displaced self-discipline in our homes.  

“In our concluding remarks, we affirm that our hearts go to the families of the abducted pastors. We are deeply saddened. We share their fears and trepidations. Nonetheless, we appeal to them all to take heart and to be strong in faith. We are with them every inch of the way. They must not lose hope as the nation prays for them. We are confident that the five pastors will return home unhurt.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

INVASION OF IDI-IROKO MOSQUE: MURIC DEMANDS JUSTICE

2^nd August, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

INVASION OF IDI-IROKO MOSQUE: MURIC DEMANDS JUSTICE

Traditional worshippers of Olosha Oba and Oro Cult invaded Umar Bin Khattab Mosque in Idi-Iroko in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State on Saturday, 27^th July, 2019 during the afternoon Zuhr prayer.

According to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights advocacy group, the attackers attempted to kill the Imam, Alhaji Abdul Waliy Abdul Azeez Abata but the latter escaped. They therefore pelted him and his congregation with stones as they took to their heels. Thereafter, they invaded the mosque and damaged equipment worth millions of naira.

MURIC has condemned the invasion in a statement circulated to the media early on Friday, 2^nd August, 2019. The group described the attack as audacious, provocative and barbaric. The statement was signed by the group’s Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We are confounded by this invasion. Places of worship should be held sacred. This attack is audacious, provocative and barbaric. It is impunity on the highest pedestal. We denounce it in the strongest terms and we demand justice. The culprits must be fished out and dealt with according to the laws of the land.

“Not only that, Umar Bin Khattab Mosque must be repaired, all vandalized equipment must be replaced and the hospital bills of all injured Muslims must be fully paid or refunded. We want the perpetrators arraigned in court. Somebody must be held accountable for this if Ogun State Government (OGSG) truly desires peaceful coexistence.

“This is about the third time within one year that Muslims are targeted for attacks in Ogun State alone. Masquerade worshippers publicly removed the hijab from a Muslim woman’s head and beat her up in Abeokuta just two months ago, on 18^th June, 2019 to be precise (http://freepress.com.ng/2019/06/19/masquerade-brutalizes-sister-on-niqab-in-ogun-state/) What is happening in Ogun State? Who declared Muslims persona non grata? Why must Muslims become endangered species in a state where they are in a comfortable majority?

On 16^th September, 2016, Oro worshippers truncated the Id al-Kabir prayers in twenty communities of Ipokia Local Government. The attackers ensured that no Salah prayer was held anywhere in the local government, including Ifoyintedo, Atan-ota, Ita-ege, Iledu, Imule, Iropo, Akopin, Madoga, Ilagbe, Kajola, Osooro, Asipa, Ikorodu/Bola, Idologun, Araromi, Idomogun, Igbo-Atan, Oke – Iwo, Ajelende and Akinde Elepo-Temu/ Kusika (https://thenationonlineng.net/eid-el-kabir-three-arrested-oro-worshippers-attack-muslims-christians-ogun/).  

MURIC blamed the police for failing to protect Muslims and their properties in Ogun State.  

“Ogun State Police Command has not impressed us. Somebody somewhere has been condoning criminality. The police should have known from experience that Oro worshippers often attack mosques whenever they declare their illegal curfews.

“So what happened to intelligence gathering? What is the state command’s Central Intelligence Department (CID) doing? What happened to police pre-emptive action? Isn’t the police expected to be proactive? We are curious to know how many arrests have been made in the mosque invasion case. We insist that the culprits must be prosecuted. That is the only way to stop Muslims in the state from taking the law into their own hands. Justice must not be delayed.

“The police must also take such actions that will make a repetition too costly for traditionalists. We are tired of being sitting ducks for criminally minded religious fanatics. Mosques must be protected by the police anytime illegal curfews are declared.

“Curfews are the prerogative of state governors and chairmen of local government councils. Declaration of curfews by Oro cultists is therefore illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional. The leaders of the Oro cult must therefore be invited and cautioned by the police to desist from declaring illegal curfews.

“MURIC calls the attention of the Inspector General of Police (IG) to the nonchalant attitude of his officers to the criminal activities of Oro worshippers and other traditionalists in the South West. Enough is enough.

“Yoruba Muslims are tax-payers and they deserve protection by the law enforcement agencies. Muslims in Yorubaland have been extremely tolerant and there has not been a single violent reaction from any Muslim group or individual in the zone for several decades. But now their patience is overstretched. Their patience should not be mistaken for cowardice. It is bourne out of a passionate desire to be good ambassadors of Islam, a religion of peace.

MURIC also complained of similar attacks on mosques in other places in the South West and charged the police to protect Muslims in the sub-region.

“We remind Ogun State Police Command and all police formations in Yorubaland that Nigeria already has enough security challenges. Revenge attacks from Muslims will definitely compound the security challenges. This is what must be avoided. Muslims are being attacked and humiliated at will. We appeal to the police to protect Muslims in Yorubaland in order to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“Attacks on mosques by Oro worshippers and other traditionalists have become a recurring decimal in Yoruba cities. On May 30^th, 2017, Masquerades attacked a mosque in Ikun-Ekiti, Moba Local Government, Ekiti State during Ramadan as Muslims gathered to break the fast.

“Five Muslims were seriously injured in the attack and they were hospitalized for days. The mosque and several equipment were damaged. Two cars parked in front of the mosque were vandalized. (https://punchng.com/masquerades-attack-muslims-inside-mosque/). But neither the state governor (Fayose) nor the State Police Command could be bothered. Was this because Muslims in Yorubaland will take anything without complaining?

“Oro worshippers also attacked Muslims in Iseyin, Oyo State on 20^th September, 2018. Many Muslims received deep cuts from cutlasses (https://www.nairaland.com/4745690/oro-worshippers-attack-muslims-iseyin). These incidents are just some of the most recent of such attacks.

“We remind state governments in the South West that attacks by Oro cultists and traditionalists is not limited to Muslims alone as Christians have also fallen victims in the past. They should therefore stop snoring while the roof is on fire.

“To conclude this advocacy, we demand justice first and foremost regarding the attack on Umar Bin Khattab mosque in Idi-Iroko, Ogun State. We call on state governments in the South West to stop Oro cultists from declaring illegal curfews. We charge the police to be more proactive, to enforce the rule of law and to give mosques, churches, Muslims and Christians adequate protection anytime Oro worshippers declare their illegal curfews. Finally, we appeal to Muslims to remain calm and law abiding and to allow the security agents to handle the situation.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)