₦airaland Forum

The Muslim Rights Concern has issued a rebuttal to the Christian Association of Nigeria’s condemnation of the decision by four Northern states—Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi—to extend school closures for the Ramadan period.

MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, accused CAN of overstepping its bounds and exhibiting double standards in matters concerning the Muslim community.

CAN earlier expressed grave concern over the impact of the school closures on Christian students, labelling the action as discriminatory and a violation of their rights, PUNCH Online reported on Sunday.

The association warned that it might pursue legal action if the directives were not rescinded.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated,

“Education is a fundamental right and the bedrock of progress. The closure of schools across these states, ranging from nursery to tertiary levels, for an extended period disrupts academic schedules and threatens the educational advancement of millions of students.”

Responding to these allegations, MURIC’s statement, issued on Monday, March 3, 2025, called CAN a meddlesome interloper in the issue on the ground.

The statement read, “MURIC is bewildered by the insistence of CAN on playing the role of a meddlesome interloper in the affairs of Nigerian Muslims.

“Firstly, Ramadan is a completely Muslim issue. It involves no other faith. CAN should stay out of it.”

The statement further emphasised the demographic context of the affected states.

It further read, “Secondly, Muslims are the overwhelming majority in those four states and the state governments in a democratic country like Nigeria should not deny the majority Muslims what they wish.

“Furthermore, those four states have given the Muslim majority what they desire most based on the principle of ‘the greatest happiness for the greatest number’.”

MURIC also accused CAN of exhibiting double standards, pointing out that while CAN is quick to defend the rights of Christian minorities in the North, it allegedly overlooks the rights of Muslim majorities in other regions.

“CAN’s middle name is ‘double standard’. It encourages breach of the rights of Muslims who are in the majority in South Western Nigeria while it pretends to protect Christian children who are an infinitesimal minority in the North,” MURIC faulted.

The organisation questioned the basis of CAN’s grievances, asking, “How have the rights of Christian students been infringed upon in this situation?

“Did those state governments threaten not to allow them to resume after Ramadan?

“Were the Christian students asked to come to school every day during Ramadan to sweep and clean the classrooms?

“What exactly does CAN want? The apex Christian body should stop playing God in the affairs of Muslims.”

PUNCH Online reports that as the situation unfolds, stakeholders from various sectors continue to weigh in, reflecting the nation’s complex interplay of religion, education, and regional autonomy.

“Firstly, Ramadan is a completely Muslim issue. It involves no other faith. CAN should stay out of it.”

“Secondly, Muslims are the overwhelming majority in those four states and the state governments in a democratic country like Nigeria should not deny the majority Muslims what they wish.

“Did those state governments threaten not to allow them to resume after Ramadan?

“Were the Christian students asked to come to school every day during Ramadan to sweep and clean the classrooms?

“What exactly does CAN want? The apex Christian body should stop playing God in the affairs of Muslims.”

Did those state governments threaten not to allow them to resume after Ramadan?

“What exactly does CAN want? The apex Christian body should stop playing God in the affairs of Muslims.”

O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you1—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺.

˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days.1 But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty,2 compensation can be made by feeding a needy person ˹for every day not fasted˺. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.

Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.

mrvitalis:
Divide Nigeria let those with similar value system form countries in their own terms you said no

Restructure along ethnic lines so we can all rule ourselves how we see fit and grow at a pace we like you said no

You know very well the system is not working... There is no country like Nigeria that ever existed that grew and lasted... U want to tempt nature

The civil War that is coming would consume millions of lives and the sad thing is it can be avoided... It can be prevented