The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted the Federal Government over the postponement of the $1 trillion National Halal Presentation Ceremony, described the move as “unjustified” and “a setback to inclusive economic development.”
The event, initially scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2025, was reportedly postponed following objections raised by some Christian leaders.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC accused the Federal Government of bowing to pressure from religious quarters and “succumbing to blackmail.”
“We strongly condemn this sudden postponement. More importantly, we denounce the demonization of the halal system of economy,” Akintola said. “It portrays the Federal Government as an administration keen on spoon-feeding Christian leaders and yielding to undue pressure.”
According to him, the opposition to the proposed Halal economic model is “driven by Islamophobia, parochialism, and primordial sentiment,” comparing the present situation to the controversy that surrounded the introduction of Islamic banking in 2010.
“When Islamic banking was introduced, Christian leaders called it an attempt to Islamize Nigeria, but the system has since coexisted peacefully with conventional banks. The same fear was expressed over Sukuk bonds, yet they remain one of Nigeria’s most effective financing tools,” he noted.
The MURIC Director argued that the Halal economy could offer Nigeria an alternative growth model by promoting interest-free financial transactions, which he said contrast sharply with the “high-interest, Western-style economy” that hinders business growth.
“While conventional banks demand as much as 30 percent interest, the halal economy promotes fairness and partnership-based investment,” Akintola added. “The difference is clear.”
He further cautioned against what he described as “religious bias” in national policy implementation, urging the government to act as a fair and impartial arbiter.
“The Federal Government must not abdicate its fatherly role. It should ensure that no group feels marginalized or abandoned. We therefore call on FG to revisit the postponed Halal policy after wider consultation and public enlightenment,” he said.
MURIC maintained that Nigeria must embrace both Islamic and Christian economic systems as reflections of its multi-faith society, warning that continued resistance to inclusivity could deepen mistrust between religious communities.
