3rd
June, 2024
PRESS
RELEASE:
NO
TO NLC STRIKE IN SALAH – MURIC
As
the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) begins its industrial action today, Monday,
3rd June, 2024, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim
Rights Concern (MURIC), has told the labour union that the strike will make
life unbearable for Muslims preparing for Id al-kabiir (Salah) which is
just a few days away. The group therefore advised NLC to postpone its strike
until after the Muslim festival.
The
message from MURIC came in form of a press statement issued in the early hours
of Monday, 3rd June 2024. The statement was signed by the group's
Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The
full statement reads:
"The
Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is set to begin its industrial action today
Monday, 3rd June, 2024. But there is no scintilla of doubt
that the strike will make life unbearable for Muslims preparing for Id
al-kabiir (Salah) which is just a few days away.
"As
expected, the workers unions of other service providing sectors like petroleum
and electricity have offered to join
(https://www.thecable.ng/oil-electricity-workers-to-join-planned-labour-strike/).
This means the lives of Nigerians are likely to be thrown into a state of higgledy-piggledy
in the next few days.
"But
what does NLC think will happen to Muslims whose festival of Id al-kabiir
is already knocking on the door? Transport fare to and fro their various
destinations will skyrocket. Movements will be so adversely affected that the
whole Salah period will become a horrendous experience. Is that what NLC wants?
"The
notice of strike was too short. It was given from the negotiation table and it
was 48 hours or less. The approach of the current crop of NLC leaders is
aggressive, arrogant, fascist and partisan. The body language is unmistakable.
It is directed at bringing government down. This NLC has no respect for the
rule of law, not even an iota of decorum for democratic practices.
"If
we cannot speak for government, what about Nigerian Muslims whose lives your
strike could turn into sheer nightmare? Is this a deliberate attempt to make
life uncomfortable for Muslims? Will NLC declare strike one week to Christmas?
Or is this about bringing down our Muslim-Muslim ticket? Is this part of the
'religious war' of 'Yes Daddy'?
"Are
Muslim workers not part of your union? If we are, shouldn't NLC consider our
interest, particularly our fast-approaching festival before embarking on a
strike? What happened to strategic planning? What happened to timing and
logistics? What happened to psychological preparation of people's minds?
“By
the way, every civilized group checks the calendar when planning an event and
every calendar shows festivals of the year, is there no calendar on the walls
of NLC office or was it deliberately ignored because NLC leadership is more
interested in inflicting pains on Nigerian Muslims?
"Who
did NLC leadership consult before declaring strike and what did they advice?
Are there no Muslims among members of NLC executive? Are there no Muslims among
NLC’s advisers or are they all 'Yes Daddy'? If there are, are they conscious
Muslims or just Muslims by name? Are they not aware that Salah is next week?
"This
strike is ill-timed. It is a recipe for a topsy-turvy Salah. We advise NLC to
postpone it till after the Salah. If NLC rejects our advice and goes ahead with
its satanic strike, we will ask all Muslim workers who know that they will meet
Allah yaom al-Qiyaamah (The Last Day) not to cooperate with NLC. They should
reject the strike because it is an assault on the religion of Islam.
We
call on all Muslim leaders and Islamic organisations in Nigeria to speak up now
before it is too late. We must reject the tyranny of Muslim-haters thinly
veiled in unionism. We say ‘No To Strike in Salah.’”
#NLC
#NoToStrikeInSalah
Professor
Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive
Director,
Muslim
Rights Concern (MURIC).
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