Immigration under fire for forcFollowing reports that the premises of the Nigerian Immigration at Ikoyi has been taken over by religious zealots who compel staffers and applicants to join them in morning devotions, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cried out to immigration authorities and the Federal Government to save the department from religious crisis.

In a statement on Monday signed by its director, Ishaq Akintola, MURIC complained that its headquarters had been inundated with reports that Nigerians who visit the immigration office in Ikoyi, Lagos early in the mornings, were being made to partake in Christian prayers and evangelical devotion without any regard for their religious leaning.

According to Akintola, “The Ikoyi office of immigrations has been taken over by Christian fanatics who force everyone who arrives early to join in Christian prayers. They insist that there must be morning devotion before starting work every morning. The fact that they have Muslims among their staff and applicants means nothing to them. They invoke spirits and imaginary angels. They shout and scream at the top of their voices. It is madness in official quarters.

“Muslims need protection in this country. We cannot just stand by watching as Muslims are embarrassed and denigrated by overzealous Christian officials in immigration office. It is not only ridiculous but also unacceptable. It is hard to believe that Ikoyi immigration office is owned by the Nigerian government. It looks more like a Christian evangelical office.

“When did Nigeria descend to this level? How can a government department of such high status become a tool in the hands of gymnastic crusaders? We are demanding immediate cessation of this rubbish. It must also be investigated. All government offices are there for staffers to work and for visitors to receive quality service.

“How can we get that quality service when you force us to go down on our knees contrary to our belief? By the way, how can we allow civil servants to mess up tax payers for crying out loud? No serious nation will allow its work force to descend into the labyrinths of mythical religiousity and Treasure Island miracle mentality.”

MURIC affirmed that Nigerian Muslims were tax payers and major stakeholders who deserved quality service.

The Muslim human rights outfit decried the compulsion of applicants to join in morning devotion of any kind in Ikoyi immigration office in particular and any other government department for that matter.

“This phenomenon is now common in many ministries, parastatals, hospitals, clinics, market places, etc. Some Christian extremists just assume that they own this country. They arrogantly ask everyone to close their eyes in government offices every morning. They ask them to kneel down and pray.

“They should be told that Muslims pray in their homes every morning before going to work. So what is the essence of forcing us to pray in the office in Christian fashion? This ignoble practice is common where Christians are heads of department. It happens where Christians are directors. This bedlam must be brought under control.

“If anybody wants to pray in the office, let him or her pray silently and privately. It is an infringement on Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims to compel them to kneel down and pray in Christian manner just because the boss in that office is a Christian. This is something Muslim bosses will never do and we are demanding immediate stoppage.

“It is paradoxical that the same Christian bosses and directors who force Muslims to join them in prayer are the same people who spread the misleading propaganda that Nigeria is being Islamised. This new revelation proves that they are the ones Christianising Nigeria but accusing the Muslims in order to deceive Nigerians. Our neighbours are adept at deception, outright lies and fake news.

“It may be argued that Muslims also pray at work but while that is true they never drag non-Muslims to join their prayer. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion and that is why whoever wants to worship should do so briefly without compelling others to join him or her. MURIC will continue to expose those who tramp upon Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims”, he said.

The Muslim group lamented the Nigerian irony where there is excessive show of religious devotion without a commensurate level of transparency and accountability in public office.

“Our advice is that Nigerians should stop this hypocritical show of piety in criminality. How can we spend hours on our knees yet we are ‘fantastically corrupt’?

How can we compel people to join in morning devotion but demand bribes from the same people minutes later? Those who waste so much time kneeling down in prayer during working hours do not deserve full salary because they did not render full service to their country. They are cheating on government”, he added.ing staff, applicants to observe Christian prayers

PLEASE READ MORE>>>[urlhttp://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Nigeria-Immigration-Service.jpg][/url]

Under FIRE 4 WAT..? wen d police recruits wer meant to undertake arabic exam nko i bet to dem it was very NORMAL....GOD BLESS WHOEVA INITIATED SUCH PRAYERS...PROUDLY CHRISTIAN!!!

Hahahahahah This ishaq Akintola is truly a raving mad man.

They have not even asked them to write exam on Christianity yet (like the Nigeria police force mandates everyone including Christians to write Arabic and Islamic exams) and they are crying.

I always knew Muslims could never take half the sheet they dish out to Christians.

Besides this is fake news. Allow the staff to complain, not you.

Amberon11:
Hahahahahah This ishaq Akintola is truly a raving mad man.

They have not even asked them to write exam on Christianity yet (like the Nigeria police force mandates everyone including Christians to write Arabic and Islamic exams) and they are crying.

I always knew Muslims could never take half the sheet they dish out to Christians.

Besides this is fake news. Allow the staff to complain, not you.

Personally I think it's the other way around. CAN was in the habit of doing same always calling everything an Islamic plot or agenda. Now that everyone has join the act. Perhaps is a matter of time before both religion realize that they both need to have mutual respect for others.Also allow us have peace.We now have so called activist from both faith (Particularly CAN & MURIC) that will keep picking and pushing at each other for so called equal stake or fairness/justice. I know both faith talk about tolerance,respect for others and sacrifice for one another.

I told a friend back in the days. Alot of Schools observed the Lords prayers and many of us pray in the xtian manner regardless of being Muslim and xtian student. Parents hardly cared and students only saw it as normal.My dad as a Muslim told me to join the boys scout or boys brigade in school. No one cared because even the moral content all pointed to good moral values that speak to both Muslims and Xtians.

A year back I attended a Xtian wedding of my very good friend since child hood. All I heard was ranting about Muslims taking there women with material things and a whole lot more.That would translate to mistrust.Alot has changed over time,that people will frown at the way others go about there faith.All in the name of becoming more religiously aware.We have gradually turn extremist,fanatics,ethnocentric & bigots

It should not be Misunderstood because it happens on both sides.We are becoming religiously intolerable and religiously bias. I wonder what happened to Being your neighbor's keeper.Now a days its about worldly religious conquest and envy. They want to dominate us or we need to protect our own.

As for me is not about who brought the message but rather did you get the message!!!!

Mr Ishaq Akintola is a terrorist that's been emboldened by Buhari's presidency.

The earlier we call this terrorist to order, the better for our nation.

I understand the bast.ard is from Ile-Ife. Ile Oodua and Arole Oodua should watch him closely before he sets Ile-Ife and Yoruba land on fire.

This terrorist people again.

ChristianNorth:
This terrorist people again.

You are a disgrace to northern Christians

potoX:
You are a disgrace to northern Christians

Said by an Allahudeen.

I'd true then I condemn it. Faith can't be forced on anybody so I see no need for such if true.

All formal prayers should be banned in public institutions, the national pledge should be replaced with prayers.
We can not eschew tribalism, nepotism without dispatching with religious activities at and in public institutions

Private organisations to should dispatch with prayers and bring to play the organisations mission statement.

Religion should be left out of any sane work environment.