10th July, 2019
UI HIJAB CRISIS: MURIC DECLARES DAY OF SOLIDARITY
The
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has declared Friday, 12th July, 2019
as a Day of Solidarity with female Muslim girls who are facing persecution in South West
Nigeria for wearing hijab. This is coming on
the heels of a video clip showing the molestation of female Muslim students at
the International School of the University of Ibadan (ISI).
MURIC
declared the Day of Solidarity in a press statement circulated by its Founder
and Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 10th July,
2019.
According
to the statement, “Muslims are one nation throughout the world. The Glorious
Qur’an specifically affirmed this in chapter 23 verse 52 where it says, ‘Verily
indeed this nation of yours is one nation.’
“The
hadith goes on to corroborate this when the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) said, ‘Muslims are like one building whose walls firmly support
one another’. He also said, ‘The example of a community of Muslims is like the
example of a man’s body, all parts of the body feel the pain whenever he is
hurt.’
“It is in this respect and in response to
several telephone calls and text messages sent to MURIC’s headquarters by
concerned Muslims that we are declaring Friday 12th July, 2019 the Day
of Solidarity in support of all those innocent female Muslim girls that are
being persecuted in secondary schools in the South West, particularly the most
recent, appalling, disgraceful and barbaric treatment of underaged Muslim girls
at the ISI, Ibadan.
“MURIC
and all other Islamic organisations and individual Muslims in Nigeria are in
solidarity with these innocent girls. Our message to them is this: We are your
parents. We are your fathers and mothers. We love you and we will never abandon
you. We feel your pain. We assure you that you are not alone. Our hearts are
with you. Continue to persevere with patience because the days of your
oppressors are numbered.
“To
the oppressors we say, ‘Oppress one, oppress all: that is the stand of Nigerian Muslims.
Your tyranny will catch up with you very soon.
You are restless and running around in circles. You can run but you cannot hide
because divine truth will always overwhelm social truth. Truth is constant. It
does not waver. You are looking for ways to perpetuate your wickedness but it
cannot last forever.
“Remember
that when
a hen perches on a rope, neither the rope nor the hen will enjoy stability.
Justice is the soul of peace. Those who deny one can never have the other. Therefore,
you will never have peace until you leave our daughters alone. Let our
daughters go! The law permits them to use hijab. We advise you to allow the
rule of law to prevail.’
“To the Muslims of Ibadan, we ask, are
you with these innocent Muslim girls or are you against them? They have been
horribly treated under your noses. What
kind of parents will leave their daughters to face persecution in silence? Even
hens protect their young ones from roving hawks. Hijab sisters in UI, are you
with us or against us?
“We hereby declare Friday, 12th
July, 2019 as the Day of Solidarity with these poor, innocent girls who have
fallen victims of Nigeria’s maradonic religiousity. MURIC has mapped out certain
actions to be taken by Muslims who attend Jumu‘ah service on that day. Firstly,
we urge Imams throughout Nigeria and elsewhere to pray for victory for Muslim
girls who are facing persecution for wearing hijab. Pray that Allah will give
our daughters the strength of character to withstand their oppressors, downpressors
and repressors.
“Secondly,
Muslims all over Nigeria are to stage a one-hour solidarity rally in a peaceful
manner outside their mosques carrying placards with messages of sympathy with
the girls immediately after the Jumu‘ah service. Decorum should be observed
during the rallies. Nobody should use provocative or abusive language and
nobody should block the smooth flow of traffic or molest passers-by. Neither
should participants go beyond the front of their mosques.
“Thirdly, we appeal to all Muslims to wear
white dresses on that day as a manifestation of peaceful intention and in order
to display uniformity in solidarity.
“As we wind up, we reiterate our
commitment to peaceful conduct. We affirm that the declaration of a Day of Solidarity
is just Stage One of our extension of dialogue. MURIC will make more
announcements for the next stages as events unfold, particularly if the
authorities still do nothing about our grievances. We remind the Muslim Ummah
to remain resolute and to continue the struggle if MURIC’s leaders are
arrested. Solidarity forever!”.
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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