BOKO HARAM: TIME TO LAY DOWN ARMS

14th July, 2011 PRESS RELEASE: BOKO HARAM: TIME TO LAY DOWN ARMS   The Federal Government of Nigeria yesterday showed signs of readiness to dialogue with the leadership of Boko Haram. This was indicated in a statement by the immediate past Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory who is the current Minister for Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Omoniyi Olubolade (rtd). He spoke of government's readiness to dialogue with all aggrieved parties in order to ensure enduring peace and security.   The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) welcomes this development. We commend the Federal Government for adopting a holistic, mature and well-informed approach to the Boko Haram saga. True to our avowed commitment to nonviolence, we reaffirm our condemnation of violent attacks carried out by any group, including Boko Haram, to express grievances.   In the same vein, we welcome the statement made by former Senate president and current Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, urging the security agencies and the Nigerian Army to embrace dialogue as a tool for enhancing national security. This statement is pregnant with far-reaching vision, constructive mission and unparalleled patriotism.   MURIC charges the Federal Government to discountenance inciting statements reportedly coming from Western countries in which they ask the Nigerian government to reject dialogue with Boko Haram. Nigeria must not allow itself to be deceived by those whose targets are the destabilization of African states. Aso Rock must ignore remote buttons being pressed from the White House and No. 10, Downing Street. We warn Western countries not to interrupt in Nigeria's internal affairs.          Finally, we call on the leadership of the Jama'at Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamma'at (Boko Haram) to order their foot soldiers to lay down their arms and embrace the government's latest peace moves. The goals of the group are better realized in an environment of peace, law and order. The Glorious Qur'an enjoins Muslims to eschew vengeance (Qur'an 41:34) and to forgive those who offend them (3:134).   Dr. Is-haq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 234-818-211-9714 234-803-346-4974 Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered