Tag: MURIC

MURIC faults Sanwo-Olu over alleged ‘All-Christian’ Permanent Secretaries

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State over the alleged appointment of an “all-Christian” set of permanent secretaries, otherwise referred to as tutor generals, in the state. The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Founder and Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who accused the governor of religious imbalance, administrative exclusivity, and disregard for constitutional provisions. According to the group, the nine new tutor generals announced on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in a circular released by the Head…

MURIC urges Ooni of Ife to stop alleged extortion of muslim traders over Olojo festival levies

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to intervene in alleged harassment and extortion of Muslim traders in Ile-Ife by palace agents who reportedly imposed illegal levies for the annual Olojo Festival.   In a statement issued on Monday, September 22, 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the association received a petition from the Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN), Ile-Ife branch, accusing palace representatives of invading Oja Tuntun Otisese Weekly Market on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.…

MURIC to Kukah: Apologise over false claims on attacks targeting only Christians

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Bishop Mathew Hasan Kukah to apologise to Nigerians for what it described as repeated false allegations that only Christians are being killed by terrorists and bandits in the country.   The demand followed the abduction of 40 Muslims from a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Monday, September 15, 2025, and the kidnapping of a Catholic bishop, Rev Father Wilfred Ezemba of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Kogi State, on the same day.   In a…

Alaafin has no power to appoint Oyo Chief Imam – MURIC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has dismissed as false and baseless the claim by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, that he hold the exclusive right to appoint the Chief Imam of Oyo town.   In a statement issued on Wednesday, 17th September 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, accused the monarch of clinging to “a comatose practice” and attempting to enslave Muslims under outdated traditions.   “The Alaafin’s claim is illogical, irrational and laughable. If he has the power to appoint the Chief Imam, does he also…

MURIC cautions NUPENG, PENGASSAN against looming Oil sector strike

Emporium Reporters

By Fatima Abubakar     The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned oil workers’ unions against embarking on strike over the ongoing dispute between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Refinery.   NUPENG, in alliance with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), had threatened industrial action following disagreements on the participation of Dangote Refinery workers in their union activities.   However, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC urged the…

MURIC faults Olubadan coronation programme, says it disregards Friday prayers

Emporium Reporters

By Fatima Abubakar     The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised strong objections to the programme of events released for the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadan, ex-Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, described it as insensitive to the Muslim community.   In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group alleged that the programme failed to give consideration to the Friday Jumu’ah prayer despite fixing the main coronation ceremony for Friday, September 26, 2025, at 9 a.m.   MURIC argued that while…

Boat Mishaps: MURIC urges Govts to take responsibility, provide safer Water Transport

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on federal, state, and local governments to urgently address the rising spate of boat mishaps across Nigeria, describing the deaths as avoidable tragedies.   In a statement issued on Thursday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group decried the high death tolls resulting from accidents on waterways, stressing that government has a constitutional duty to safeguard citizens.   MURIC’s concerns followed the latest boat disaster in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where about 60…

FG declares Friday public holiday for Eid-ul-Mawlid

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has declared Friday, September 5, 2025, a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).   Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government, while extending warm felicitations to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.   He urged Muslims to reflect on the Prophet’s virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion, noted that these values are essential in building a united and progressive nation.   Dr. Tunji-Ojo also called on…

MURIC hails Reno Omokri, renews call for Work-Free Friday in Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended former Presidential Aide, Mr. Reno Omokri, for openly supporting the demand for a work-free Friday for Nigerian Muslims.   Omokri had recently stated that Muslims in the country were being unfairly treated, as they were denied work-free Fridays while Christians enjoyed Saturdays and Sundays. His comments quickly went viral, sparking wide debate.   In a statement on Tuesday, MURIC described Omokri as “one of the most intellectually active, politically detribalised, and religiously liberal Christians in Nigeria,” noting that his position vindicated the organisation’s…

MURIC condemns mob killing of woman over alleged Blasphemy in Niger State

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the killing of a woman accused of blasphemy in Kasuwan-Garba town, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.   The victim, identified as Amaye, a local food vendor, was reportedly attacked and killed by a mob on Saturday evening after being accused of making blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) while conversing with a customer in her restaurant.   In a statement issued by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC described the killing as “Bohemian, extrajudicial, barbaric and unIslamic.”…