MURIC to Peter Obi: Address Muslims ‘popular demands’, not Sallah ceremonies

By KEMI KASUMU

Reacting to the pledge, MURIC said while it welcomed Obi’s willingness to identify with Muslim leaders, the gesture would amount to “sheer window dressing” if it was not accompanied by concrete measures to address what the group described as longstanding concerns affecting Nigerian Muslims.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to address what it described as the “popular demands” of Nigerian Muslims rather than focusing on ceremonial gestures such as spending Sallah with the Sultan of Sokoto.

Obi had pledged to spend the Sallah holidays with the Sultan of Sokoto if elected president in the 2027 presidential election.

Reacting to the pledge, MURIC said while it welcomed Obi’s willingness to identify with Muslim leaders, the gesture would amount to “sheer window dressing” if it was not accompanied by concrete measures to address what the group described as longstanding concerns affecting Nigerian Muslims.

The position was contained in a statement signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, and circulated to journalists on Saturday.

MURIC said: “We welcome Mr. Peter Obi’s offer as it reflects his willingness to identify with Muslim leaders, particularly our respected and beloved leader, the Sultan of Sokoto. But that is poles apart from a readiness to involve Muslims in governance. We covet the latter and reject the former. It is sheer window dressing.”

The group argued that Nigerian Muslims had moved beyond what it described as the era when political gestures such as Hajj slots, Sallah cows and Ramadan gifts were considered sufficient.

According to MURIC, “We have seen the light. We have compared and contrasted our condition socially, economically and politically with other religious groups. We are far, far behind.”

The organisation listed several issues it wants addressed, including the recognition of Friday as a day of religious significance for Muslims, the treatment of Islamic education and the legal system, the recognition of the Islamic New Year, and the accommodation of hijab for Muslim women seeking employment in the military.

On public holidays, MURIC questioned why January 1 is recognised as a public holiday while the first day of Muharram, the beginning of the Islamic calendar year, is not similarly recognised.

It also argued that the inability of Muslim women to wear hijab with military uniforms could limit their employment opportunities in the armed forces.

“These are issues of civil liberties for Nigerian Muslims for which we have been clamouring for years but successive governments have refused to listen,” MURIC said.

The group further called for what it described as comprehensive restructuring that would ensure a “balanced playing field” for Nigerians of different religious backgrounds.

MURIC said Obi’s proposed Sallah visit to Sokoto would have little impact on the welfare and fundamental rights of Muslims unless accompanied by concrete policy commitments.

“Your Excellency, we welcome your pledge to mark Sallah in Sokoto. It reflects goodwill. But marking Sallah in Sokoto adds no value to the welfare and the fundamental human rights of Nigerian Muslims. It is ceremonial,” the group said.

MURIC also rejected government sponsorship of pilgrimages, arguing that Muslims were capable of organising their pilgrimage while governments should limit their involvement to protocol matters.

“Away with the old ways. We don’t want pilgrimage sponsorship. Muslims know the road to Makkah,” the organisation said, alleging that pilgrimage sponsorship had often been abused for political purposes.

While acknowledging Obi’s second presidential bid ahead of the 2027 election, MURIC said it appreciated what it described as his effort not to be perceived as an “exclusive Christian candidate.”

It, however, challenged the NDC candidate to explain what his administration would do for Nigerian Muslims if elected.

“For the records, MURIC acknowledges Peter Obi’s second attempt at the presidency as we move towards 2027. He is trying very hard not to be seen as an exclusive Christian candidate. We appreciate him,” the statement said.

“But what is his plan for Nigerian Muslims: to continue to enslave us or to set us free? We are ready to vote for you if you promise to address the above issues. The ball is in Peter Obi’s court.”