The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned against an alleged religious persecution at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurum, Delta State.
MURIC in a statement on Monday by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola said Muslim students and staff at the institution are being disallowed by the Vice Chancellor from observing Jumat prayers on Fridays.
The Islamic human rights organisation further stated that efforts to persuade the Vice Chancellor via communications and dialogue have not yielded any tangible result.
“The first semester examination time table was not Jumat-compliant as examinations were fixed without any consideration for the Jum’ah period.
“We are miffed that the VC claims that he cannot allow Muslims to go to mosque on Friday ‘because Nigeria is a secular country’. This is a most preposterous claim. It is outrageous. It is incredible. We don’t expect ignorance at the apex of a citadel of learning. Nigeria is not a secular country. It is a multi-religious country. Secular countries do not recognise religion but Nigeria does. Or can the VC show us the word ‘secular’ in the Nigerian constitution?
MURIC added that no Vice Chancellor has the right to hide under a phony secular society to stop Muslims from observing Jumat prayer.
“It beats our imagination that the Vice Chancellor of a federal university will challenge Muslims to present any official document from the federal government that makes provision for Jumat services in federal establishments. Universities are expected to be centres of excellence, we are therefore shocked that gymnastic religiousity can manifest at such level of intellectualism.
“We are constrained to ask, ‘Is this VC aware of the provision for freedom of religion in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”
The group stated further that it will continue to expose religious bigots in public and private institutions and enterprises who deprive Muslims of their fundamental human rights.
“We will not fold our arms while some religious fundamentalists deny us what Almighty Allah has given us free, more so since such rights are already guaranteed in the constitution of our country.”
