The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized the scheduling of a Lassa fever lecture by the Department of Pharmacy at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), describing the timing as provocative and a violation of the religious rights of Muslim staff and students.
According to the group, an internal memo allegedly issued by the Department of Pharmacy slated the lecture for Friday, June 26, 2026, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., a period that coincides with the weekly Jumu’ah congregational prayer observed by Muslims.
In a statement issued on Monday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, urged the authorities of JUTH and the University of Jos to immediately review the programme and ensure that activities are not scheduled during the Jumu’ah prayer period.
Akintola argued that organizing official programmes during the Friday prayer period amounts to an infringement on the constitutional rights of Muslims and could undermine peaceful coexistence among religious groups.
He suggested that the development could either be the result of a communication gap between JUTH management and the Department of Pharmacy or an indication of a broader pattern of disregard for the religious rights of Muslim staff and students.
The MURIC leader stressed that universities, as centres of learning and excellence, are expected to uphold justice, fairness, and respect for fundamental human rights, including freedom of religion.
He further accused some public institutions of routinely scheduling important assignments, examinations, seminars, workshops, and meetings during Jumu’ah hours, thereby making it difficult for Muslims to attend Friday prayers without missing official obligations.
Extending the appeal beyond JUTH and the University of Jos, Akintola called on government ministries, agencies, parastatals, and other public institutions across Nigeria to desist from fixing official programmes during the Jumu’ah period.
He compared the practice to scheduling official activities during church services on Sunday mornings, arguing that such actions would be widely considered inappropriate and unacceptable.
Citing Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, Akintola warned that MURIC may resort to legal action against any institution or official found to be persistently violating the religious rights of Muslims.
The group also cautioned against actions capable of fueling religious tensions, emphasizing that mutual respect for religious freedoms remains essential for national peace and harmony.
MURIC specifically appealed to the Provost of Jos University Teaching Hospital to intervene and direct the Department of Pharmacy to either change the time or date of the lecture scheduled to hold at the university auditorium in Lamingo.
While acknowledging the importance of the proposed lecture on Lassa fever, the organization maintained that its timing was inappropriate and had overshadowed what would otherwise have been a commendable initiative.
