The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has complained that its office has been inundated with reports about requests by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from gubernatorial candidates in the South West.
According to MURIC, some of the candidates have allegedly agreed with CAN to ban the use of hijab in public schools, to return public schools to missionaries and cancel the hijrah and maolud holidays.
MURIC, an Islamic human rights organization, made the complaint in a statement signed by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, on Monday.
“We wish to caution gubernatorial candidates in the South Western states where elections are expected to hold on Saturday, 9th March, 2019 against entering into any unholy, illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional agreements with state branches of CAN or any individual or group of persons on issues pertaining to Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims in their states,” the group stated.
MURIC said that such agreements are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
The group added that, “Muslims of the region will not compromise their civil liberty neither will MURIC stand akimbo while any new state government takes away what Muslims have been enjoying in the past. Whoever is contemplating such an action must be prepared to face Muslims in the region in another long struggle. Only a governor who does not wish to enjoy peace in his state will think of doing such things.”
The group urged the in-coming governors to work towards harmonious relationship between the adherents of different faiths in their state.
“It will be most unwise, therefore, to displease one group at the expense of another. Gubernatorial candidates should note that the constitution of Nigeria guarantees religious freedom. Therefore, no governorship candidate should contemplate withdrawing any of the civil liberties enjoyed by Muslims in their states.”
MURIC affirmed that what matters to the group is good governance adding that whoever emerges should endeavour to the people’s standard of living, secure lives and property with equal rights and justice, particularly ensuring that Muslims are not short changed in any way.
