STOP FIXING PROGRAMS FOR JUMU'AH PERIOD: MURIC TELLS JOS UNIVERSITY, OTHERS

 

‎ MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎‎22^nd June, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎‎STOP FIXING PROGRAMS FOR JUMU'AH PERIOD: MURIC TELLS JOS UNIVERSITY, OTHERS

‎‎The Department of Pharmacy, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), has allegedly slated a lecture on Lassa fever for Friday, 26th June, 2026 by 12 - 2 pm. 

‎‎Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has declared the lecture provocative, illegal and a stumbling block in the path to peaceful coexistence. 

‎‎In a statement issued on Monday, 22nd June, 2026, the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, advised JUTH to review the programme by ensuring that the Jumu'ah period is neither encroached upon nor sandwiched. 

‎‎The full statement reads:

‎‎"An internal memo allegedly emanating from the Department of Pharmacy, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), has reportedly slated a lecture on Lassa fever for Friday, 26th June, 2026 by 12 - 2 pm. The memo was signed by Sitlong Goodness on behalf of the chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC). 

‎‎"We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) regard the timing of the proposed lecture as an over-reach. Holding a programme in official capacity during Jumu'ah prayer anywhere in Nigeria is an exercise in illegality. The idea is not only provocative but a stumbling block in the path to peaceful coexistence.

‎‎"This scenario suggests either a communication gap between JUTH and the Department of Pharmacy or an attempt by the department to unilaterally organize the lecture without carrying JUTH along.

‎‎"The worst case scenario is more indicting because it presupposes that either the Department of Pharmacy, JUTH or the University of Jos itself (or all the above) are enmeshed in the serial encroachment on Allah-given fundamental human rights of their Muslim staff and students. 

‎‎"It had better not be. A university is expected to be a centre of excellence, a reverred institution where rules and regulations are considered sacred; where the principles of equal rights and justice are upheld; where human rights are not only respected but also seen to have been respected. But is this so in the University of Jos? 

‎‎"We advise the Department of Pharmacy, JUTH and, by extension the University of Jos to embrace the principles of religious tolerance and respect for the rule of law. Reckless manifestation of impunity regarding the rights of other religious groups is the fastest road to anarchy. 

‎‎"This habit is common in public institutions where many senior officials who are Christians see public offices either as extentions of the church or platforms for expanding Christian culture and opportunities for restricting the religious freedom of Muslim workers. 

‎‎"They therefore deliberately go out of their ways to schedule critical assignments to coincide with the Jumu'ah period in order to ensure that Muslims are unable to go to the mosque for prayer or the Muslims miss the assignments with the attendant opportunities. 

‎‎"Our advisory is therefore not for JUTH or Unijos alone but for all public institutions, government ministries, agencies, parastatals, etc. All attempts to disrupt the Muslim Jumu'ah prayer by whatever men's must stop. No meetings, symposia, workshops, seminars, conferences, lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, etc should be slated for the Muslim Jumu'ah period.

‎‎"How would the Christians feel if Muslim bosses or lecturers fix any of the above for 10 am on a Sunday? It is not only absurd, it is illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional.

‎‎"That is why Section 38(i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prohibits such practices. That law grants both Muslims and Christians freedom of religion. Perhaps MURIC will soon explore the legal option by taking the next recalcitrant Nigerian official or institution to court. 

‎‎"Let us avoid actions capable of igniting religiius upheaval because what Nigeria needs most today is peace and the latter will continue to evade us so long as we fail to respect Allah-given fundamental human rights of other religious groups.  

‎‎"Before we sign out, we urge the Provost of Jos University Teaching Hospital, acting in loco parentis, to properly guide the Head of the Department of Pharmacy to change either the time or date of the lecture on Lassa fever billed for the University auditorium, Lamingo.

‎‎"A good idea is facing criticism due to the defective channel adopted by the organizers."

‎‎#Unijos

‎#JUTH

‎#RespectJumuahPrayerPeriod

‎#PromotePeacefulCoexistence

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

‎Founder/Executive Director, 

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

WITHDRAWAL OF LASG BECE EXAM TIMETABLE: HEADS WOULD HAVE ROLLED IN SANER CLIMES - MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎

‎17^th June, 2026

‎

‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎‎WITHDRAWAL OF LASG BECE EXAM TIMETABLE: HEADS WOULD HAVE ROLLED IN SANER CLIMES - MURIC

‎

‎The Lagos State Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable was yesterday withdrawn after public outcry. Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has ascribed the incident to Islamophobia, dereliction of duty and licentiousness.

‎

‎This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, 17th June, 2026 by the Executive Director of the human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎

‎The statement reads:

‎

‎"The Lagos State Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable which was released yesterday showed that Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) would be taken on Friday, 3rd July, 2023 from 12 - 2.10 pm.

‎

‎"However, the public outcry which greeted the publicaction forced the authorities to withdraw it this morning with a promise that a revised version would be released 'shortly'. No reason was given for the withdrawal.

‎

‎"MURIC frowns at the poor handling of the BECE examination timetable. It reeks of Islamophobia, dereliction of duty and licentiousness. The failure to mention the timetable's fatal clash with the Muslims' Friday prayer period as the reason for withdrawing the offensive circular portrays official hypocrisy.

‎

‎"We are surprised that despite all the past hullabaloo over the slating of examinations, official meetings, public events, etc at Jumu'ah prayer periods, BECE still went ahead to schedule an examination of such magnitude from 12 noon to 2.10 on Friday. It is preposterous. 

‎

‎"It is noteworthy that the circular withdrawing the satanic timetable was not dated. This circular somersault would not have been necessary if there had been inclusivity. But Muslims were not consulted by officials and we doubt if the board or the timetable committee has any Muslim member or members. 

‎

‎"This is what we mean when we tackle governors who sideline Muslims in political appointments. They usually end up shaving the heads of Muslims in their absence. The piano can give you a sort of music, but for melody and rhythm, you must use both the white and black keys.  For peace and harmony in society, Governors in the South West needs to ensure that qualified Muslims and Christians are given political appointments.

‎

‎"This satanic timetable is the handiwork of extremist Christians in BECE. Such religious fanatics in ministries and government agencies are determined to make life unbearable for Muslims. They are programmed to hate and hurt their Muslim neighbours. At least we have enough evidence of extremist churches who preach hate and encourage their members to target Muslims with anti-Muslim behaviours and demands.

‎

‎"Contrary to popular belief, there is no religious tolerance in Yorubaland.  Muslims are constantly facing religious persecution for practising their faith. This incident is another solid evidence of the desertification of religious tolerance in the South West. It is Yoruba Muslims who have been sustaining the peace while quietly taking the heat.

‎

‎"There is evidence of dereliction of duty on the part of BECE leadership for failure to properly monitor the activities of the time-table committee. Heads would have rolled in saner climes but it remains to be seen if there is sanity in BECE.

‎

‎"To BECE, the Lagos State Government (LASG) and the Federal Government (FG), our position is this: since examinations cannot be fixed on a Sunday, all examinations fixed on Friday should end by 12 noon and that should be all for the day. Respect begets respect. Yoruba Muslims have been enslaved by their Christian neighbours long enough.

‎

‎"We said it before and we will repeat it here. Nigeria was wired, engineered and structured for Christianity by the colonial masters. The whole system is structured to favour Christianity at the expense of Islam. Our recomendation above may form part of ongoing restructuring exercise if the authorities so wish.

‎

‎"As we draw the curtain, we recall the dark days of colonial repression of Muslims when there was zero religious freedom for Muslims. Those were the days when Muslim workers must go to work even on Salah day!

‎

‎"This is exactly what Christian officials (particularly in the South West) are trying to replicate and perpetuate. MURIC will continue to resist this inhuman treatment using every constitutional means at its disposal regardless what labels the oppressors give us: fundamentalists, extremists, fanatics, terrorists, slaves of the sultanate, the list is endless."

‎

‎#LASG

‎#BECE

‎#MuslimsAlsoWorship

‎#LikeSundayLikeFriday

‎#LetTheMuslimsGo

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

MURIC HAILS STATES FOR DECLARING HIJRAH HOLIDAYS

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎

‎20^th June, 2026

‎

‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎

‎MURIC HAILS STATES FOR DECLARING HIJRAH HOLIDAYS

‎

‎Nigerian states where hijrah holidays were declared  during the week have been commended for promoting freedom of religion. Reeling out encomiums for the  states was an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). 

‎

‎A statement signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday 20^th June, described the states as Muslim-friendly and liberal. The statement urged the Federal Government (FG) to take the cue before it is too late.

‎

‎MURIC elucidates further:

‎

‎"Many state governments across Nigeria have declared Tuesday, 16th June 2026, a public holiday to commemorate the beginning of the Islamic New Year (Hijrah 1448 AH).

‎

‎"Among such states are Borno, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Kwara, Niger, Yobe in the North and Oyo, Osun in the South. The state governments used the occasion to urge Nigerians to pray for peace, unity and national development.  (https://breezynewsnigeria.com/states-declare-public-holiday-to-celebrate-islamic-new-year/).

‎

‎"We give kudos to those states where the Hijrah holiday was declared. We salute their courage and tenacity. We hail them for exhibiting the principles of equal rights of justice. They have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they are Muslim-friendly and liberal. These are states promoting freedom of religion.

‎

‎"Literally, the word 'hijrah' means 'migration' and the declaration of holiday in this regard was in recognition of the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE.

‎

‎"Muhammad (SAW) migrated from a city where he and his followers faced severe persecution to another where they received hospitality.  Therefore, hijrah stands for freedom from oppression, emancipation from poverty and liberation  from all forms of enslavement.

‎

‎"Hijrah period is a time for reflection, prayer and community spirit. It is a time people come together to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and divine blessings for the state and the country.

‎

‎"MURIC urges the Federal Government (FG) to recognize the first day of the Islamic calendar. This is the only way the central government can prove that Muslims and Christians are being treated equally. 1st January of every year is declared holiday since the colonial days. The first day of the Islamic calendar also deserves recognition if Nigeria is practicing true democracy. 

‎

‎"The handwriting is on the wall. It is neither the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics of 3300 BC nor the Mesopotamian cuneiform of 3200 BC. This writing is in plain English, neither the antiquitous, heavily Germanic Anglo-Saxon English of the 5th to 11th centuries nor the Middle English of the post-Norman conquest of 1066.

‎

‎"It is high time FG took the cue by declaring the first day of the Islamic calendar a public holiday. The demand for this has been made severally via notable Islamic organizations in the country.

‎

‎"It is one way of giving sense of belonging to Nigerian Muslims and a sure path to the de-christianisation of a country hitherto heavily structured along Christian culture.

‎

‎"We noted conflict in the dates declared by the various state governments. For while some picked Tuesday, 16th June, 2026, others declared the following day. It is our considered opinion that  by aligning with the hijrah project, FG can bring harmony if it declares a single day for the whole country."

‎

‎#HijrahHoliday

‎#EqualRights

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

IGNORE CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST SENATOR YARI: MURIC TELLS TINUBU

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎

‎20^th June, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎‎IGNORE CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST SENATOR YARI: MURIC TELLS TINUBU

‎‎An appeal has gone to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore allegations currently being made against Senator Abdul Azeez Yari by certain groups. 

‎‎Making the appeal on Saturday, 20^th June, 2026 was a civil liberties group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

‎‎In the statement signed by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC described the allegations as a vicious campaign of calumny designed to either neutralise or totally extricate President Tinubu's most loyal and dedicated supporter from the president's team.

‎‎The human rights organization explained further:

‎‎"We have been constrained to break our silence on series of allegations being leveled from certain quarters at the person of distinguished Senator Abdul Azeez Yari in recent time. 

‎‎"We make bold to say Senator Yari is a highly respected lawmaker in Nigeria and the greatest promoter of the interest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, North and South West. This fact will be willingly endorsed by every Islamic scholar of any substance particularly in the South West and all parts of the North today. 

‎‎"Senator Yari is known to have used personal resources in the name of President Tinubu in order to endear the President to this constituency both in the North and South West.

‎‎"It is therefore natural for certain elements who are keen on power play to feel uncomfortable. The intention of those throwing mud at the senator's white robe is to smear his image. 

‎‎"We confidently declare the allegations against him as false, malicious and baseless. It is a vicious campaign of calumny designed to either diminish the influence of, or totally eliminate, President Tinubu's most loyal and dedicated supporter.

‎‎"The intention of the agents provocateur is to strip President Tinubu of all truly loyal allies. We therefore urge Mr. President to ignore their hanky-panky."

‎#SenatorYari

‎#TrueAlly

‎#LeaveYariAlone

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

OSUN 2026: ADELEKE DODGING THE REAL ISSUES - MURIC

 

 

‎‎MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎15^th June, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎‎OSUN 2026: ADELEKE DODGING THE REAL ISSUES - MURIC

‎‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has claimed that Governor Ademola Adeleke is dodging the real issues between him and Nigerian Muslims.

‎‎In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, 15th June, 2026, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC Director, failed to address the issue of pretending to be a muslim while he partially responded to that of religious marginalization. The group advised the governor to apologize to Nigerian Muslims whom he had hurt deeply by making a mockery of Islam

‎‎MURIC spoke further:

‎‎"We are in possession of a rejoinder authored by the Osun State government. It will be recalled that MURIC had, on Saturday, 13th June, 2026 accused the state governor of short-changing Muslims in political appointments as well as mimicking Muslim practices while pretending to be a Muslim (https://leadership.ng/muric-warns-osun-muslims-against-giving-adeleke-2nd-chance-in-2026-poll/).

‎‎"In a rejoinder published within 24 hours of MURIC's allegation, the state's Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, listed some Muslim appointees but failed to tell Nigerians how many Muslims are in Adeleke's cabinet.

‎‎"That is the crux of the problem. Adeleke is beating about the bush. MURIC gave specific numbers.  MURIC said Adeleke appointed 17 Christians as commissioners as against only seven Muslims. Why can't the commissioner give his own number?

‎‎You can't hide behind one finger. At ratio 17:7, the gap is ridiculously too wide. The commissioner is defending the indefensible. (https://www.osunstate.gov.ng/2026/06/osun-state-government-accuses-muric-of-misinformation-campaign/; https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/14/osun-govt-accuses-muric-of-spreading-falsehoods-against-adeleke-administration/).

‎‎"We challenge Governor Adeleke to publish the full list of his commissioners, including the chairmen of his boards and parastatals. Nigerians are interested in the mystery in Pandora's box. In particular, Osun Muslims are sick and tired of crumbs from Adeleke's table.

‎‎"Adeleke's Commissioner for Information conveniently forgot to comment on our allegation of the governor's double religious identity. We can understand the cassu belli. It is definitely embarrassing to the supporters of the governor. But his failure to comment on it is an admission of guilt.

‎‎"He tried to deflect the whole gamut of allegations by accusing Akintola of working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) but he failed. That is personalisation. We have no connection with either APC or any political party. Records has shown that we always support eminently qualified Muslim candidates regardless of their political affiliation even when they stand against APC candidates. Islamdom is our constituency

‎‎"Three serious allegations were leveled against the governor, namely, lopsidedness in political appointments, double religious identity and financial impropriety. The commissioner defended only one (political appointments) and very feebly too, because he could not tell us the real number of commissioners on each side. Or should we invoke the Access to Information Act 2016?

‎‎"What happened to the remaining two allegations leveled by MURIC (double religious identity and financial impropriety)? Guilty or not guilty? Silence means acquiescence.

‎‎Religion is a sensitive thing and it is an open secret that Muslims take their religion seriously. Unfortunately Governor Adeleke has done the exact opposite. Muslims all over the country are livid with rage.

‎‎"Adeleke should have learnt from reactions of Muslims to ordinary satires by artists and authors around the world which made references to Islam. How did the Muslims react? Can the governor show us one governor like him who is brandishing the flags of 2 faiths even in the South West?

‎‎"It was absolutely unnecessary yet carelessly provocative. We know Adeleke is a pleasant man, yet he ends up being a complex personality. He amuses everybody and manifests harmlessness. The tragedy here lies in the switch of roles: the crown must not wear the garb of the court jester.

‎‎"Governor Adeleke is in the people's court and the day of reckoning is fast approaching. This case between Adeleke and the People of Osun has been adjourned to 15th August, 2026. The people's court is not covered by immunity. Adeleke must appear in person."

‎‎#GovernorAdeleke

‎#DayOfReckoning

#MockOneMockAll

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

KIDNAPPERS DEMAND FOR SHARI'AH: IT IS A LIE - MURIC

 

‎‎ MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎8^th June, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

KIDNAPPERS DEMAND FOR SHARI'AH: IT IS A LIE - MURIC

Kidnappers of Esiele school children have allegedly demanded the implementation of Shari'ah among other things as conditions for releasing the children. But an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has debunked the so-called demand, labeling it as 'a lie from the pit of Jahannam'.

MURIC argued that the so-called demand was inserted by enemies of Islam in the negotiation team to tarnish the image of Islam. 

In a statement signed on Monday 8th June, 2026 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group insisted that Nigerian Muslims have nothing in common with bloodthirsty groups like kidnappers, bandits, Boko Haram and other terrorists.

The group shed more light on the issue:

"The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has received with grave concern reports alleging that the kidnappers of school children and teachers in Oyo State demanded the implementation of Shariah in the South-West as part of their conditions.

“We reject this report. It is a smokescreen. That so called demand for Shari'ah was inserted by Muslim-haters among the negotiators and the so-called demand was calculated to tarnish the image of Islam. It is a scheme to paint Islam black and those behind it are hot gospellers and Christian leaders who are scared of the growth of Islam in Yorubaland in spite of all their diabolical machinations.

“We cannot rule out the involvement of Governor Seyi Makinde and his agents in this devilish attempt to robe Shari’ah in criminal apparels. Afterall he once swore that Shari’ah would never find a place in Oyo State. It is not impossible, therefore, that the demand was fabricated in Agodi Government House. It is a satanic blackmail designed to silence Yoruba Muslims who have been demanding Shari'ah.

“It is a lie from the pit of Jahannam!

“Nonetheless, while we disown the so called kidnappers’ demand and we dismiss it as a gimmick for distraction, MURIC wishes to state categorically that the struggle for the establishment of Shariah Courts in the South-West is a legitimate, constitutional, and peaceful demand of Muslims in the region.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right of Muslims to seek access to Shariah Courts, just as adherents of other faiths enjoy institutions that cater to their religious needs. The refusal to allow Yoruba Muslims to practice Shari’ah is a denial of religious freedom, a deprivation of access to the judicial system and the creation of a barrier to justice.

“For this reason, MURIC remains at the forefront of advocating for the establishment of Shariah Courts in the South-West through lawful, democratic, and constitutional means. Yoruba Muslims stand firmly by this demand because it is their fundamental right as citizens of Nigeria.

“However, we unequivocally condemn the kidnapping of innocent school children and teachers in Oyo State. Such an act is barbaric, criminal, and totally inconsistent with the teachings of Islam. Those responsible for this heinous crime cannot and will never be the mouthpiece of Yoruba Muslims. They are bloodthirsty criminals who have no locus standi to demand Shari’ah on behalf of patriotic and law-abiding Yoruba Muslims.

“We reiterate that the so-called demand is traceable to enemies of Islam, hot gospellers and Christian leaders who are frustrated by the continued growth of Islam in Yorubaland in spite of their evil machinations against the Muslims.
It is an attempt to blackmail Yoruba Muslims who have been demanding Shari'ah for decades. Their desire is to silence the agitation for Shari'ah.

‎"They therefore devised a means to give Shari'ah a bad name the same way that you give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. They assumed that Nigerians would reject Shari'ah particularly if its demand now comes from a criminal and notorious group like kidnappers. It is a satanic plot. But they have failed woefully.

“The wind has blown. We have seen the ruff of the hen. Nigerians have seen through this diabolical trick. Many Nigerians who have fallen victim of kidnappers have testified that they saw no signs of being practicing Muslims in them. A Nigerian who spent eleven days in captivity said the kidnappers did not observe the Muslim prayer (Salat) even once.

‎"Security agents who raided bandits' and kidnappers' camps have also confirmed that what they found in their camps belie the claim that they represent Muslims or the religion of Islam. Condoms were scattered all over the floor. They found abandoned bottles of alcohol and various types of hot drinks. There were also half empty bottles of these hurriedly abandoned alcoholic drinks.

‎"So how can such a group demand Shari'ah? It is a smokescreen concocted by those determined to permanently bury the agitation for Shari'ah. But they have picked a very wicked, conscienceless and luciferous method to achieve their objective.

“Bandits and kidnappers do not practice Islam. So how can they make demands for the implementation of Shari'ah? This is another abracadabra concocted by enemies of Islam. We refuse to be deceived. Stop selling dummies to Nigerians.

“That so called demand for Shari'ah was inserted by Muslim haters among the negotiators and the so called demand was calculated to tarnish the image of Islam. We reject it. It is a satanic blackmail designed to silence Yoruba Muslims who have been demanding Shari'ah. It is a lie from the pit of Jahannam!”

‎‎#OyoKidnappedChildren

‎#NoShariahDemand

‎#StopDeceivingNigerians

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

‎Founder/Executive Director, 

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).