7th April, 2025
PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC
CONDEMNS DEMOLITION OF 2 MOSQUES IN EKITI
Two mosques were pulled down in Aramoko, Ekiti
State. While no explanation was given for demolishing the first one, the second
was pulled down to give way for a market which is a constituency project of the
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has
condemned the demolition of the mosques. The Islamic human rights organization described
the action as an onslaught on Islam in Ekiti State.
The group queried the Senate Leader for embarking
on war against Muslims in Ekiti State as his constituency project. MURIC
charged the politician to reach out to the Muslim community at Aramoko with a
view to rebuilding the mosque or remain in the bad books of Nigerian Muslims
forever.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on
Monday, 7th April, 2025 by the Executive Director of the faith-based
civil liberties organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads:
“The authorities of Aramoko, Ekiti State, have
pulled down two mosques in the town in recent time. The principal actors
include the Alara of Aramoko, Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi, the Chairman of Ekiti
West Local Government, Hon. Moses Omojola, his Vice, Hon. Isaac Fatoyinbo, a
former deputy speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gbenga
Odebunmi and Hon. Muyiwa Olabode, the Secretary of the council.
“A short notice was given to the Muslims to vacate
their mosque situated at Sabo in Aramoko town for a constituency project of the
Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele. Every trick in the books was employed to
ensure that the mosque was demolished on 26th March, 2025.
“MURIC strongly decries the destruction
of Sabo Central Mosque, Aramoko, Ekiti State. This action smirks of religious
intolerance. It is a confirmation of renewed hostility against Yoruba Muslims
and reinvigorated onslaught on the religion of Islam in the region. It is a
hate action aimed at eliminating Islam not only in the city of Aramoko and
Ekiti State but in the entire Yoruba geographical space.
“In particular, we are surprised
that a politician of immense exposure at the federal level in the person of no
less a personality as Opeyemi Bamidele who has risen to the status of Senate
Leader in Nigeria could give the green light to the perpetration of such a dastardly
act against a section of his constituents simply because they are Muslims.
“Muslims of Aramoko have been heart-broken since
the incident. They are hugely disappointed in the person of the Senate Leader
whom they had voted into senate to represent them but who had turned round to
deprive them of their place of worship.
“Man is body, soul and spirit. The material
provisions of this world can only meet the needs of the body. Our souls and
spirits will only be at rest when we commune effectively with Allah. To
demolish our mosques for any reason whatsoever without immediate replacement is
to deprive our souls and spirits of that much needed spiritual shelter. It is a
declaration of war against Allah, our Creator.
“MURIC affirms that the demolition of Sabo Central
Mosque for Opeyemi Bamidele’s constituency project breaches Allah-given
fundamental human rights of the Muslims of Aramoko. It is also a violation of
Section 38(i)&(ii) which guarantees freedom of worship.
“Our question to the Senate Leader, Opeyemi
Bamidele is this: How can Allah give us one thing and you, a homo sapien,
take the same thing from us? Not even in the name of a constituency project
should this happen because that mosque has been on that spot at Sabo for donkey
years and the Senate Leader knows it.
“It is unacceptable. It is an anti-Muslim act. We
are shocked that at your level and with your exposure, you will still embark on
war against Muslims in your comfort zone. By their actions, you shall know
them.
“But it is not too late. MURIC urges the Senate
Leader to reach out to the Muslim community at Aramoko with a view to
rebuilding the mosque or remain in the bad books of Nigerian Muslims forever.
“Nigerian Muslims have special regard for their
mosques. It is part of their anatomy and their soul. An attack on one mosque is
attack on all mosques in the country because they know that anyone who
demolishes one mosque will be ready to destroy all other mosques if he has the chance
to do so.
“That is why Muslims will be waiting for Opeyemi
Bamidele if he ever seeks a federal position unless he rebuilds our Central
Mosque at Sabo, Aramoko, Ekiti State. A Senate Leader who cannot protect Muslims
and their cherished properties in his constituency cannot be expected to
protect the interest of Muslims in Nigeria if he becomes a minister or gets to
Aso Rock.
“Meanwhile we appeal to Muslims in the state to remain
calm and unperturbed. Islam is a religion of peace and we expect every Muslim
to be a good ambassador of his or her religion.”
#AramokoCentralMosque
#SenateLeaderOpeyemiBamidele
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).