Press Release: MURIC Condemns Religious Riot In Bauchi State 12th December 2007

About five people allegedly lost their lives while mosques and churches were torched in a new wave of religious violence which erupted in Bauchi State yesterday (Tuesday 11th December 2007). Properties worth millions of naira were also destroyed in the crisis.

The genesis was a mosque allegedly built by Muslim students in Baba Tanko Government Secondary School, Yelwa, Bauchi State which the Christian community opposed.

We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) denounce this wanton destruction of lives and properties in the name of religion. There must be freedom of worship as stipulated in the statute books but there must also be better understanding of the tenets of faith. Our young ones must have access to the religion of their parents in other to enshrine in them the fear of God and good moral behavior. Both Muslims and Christians in this country must make efforts to learn about one another’s faith in order to reduce the level of inter-religious rivalry, hatred and intolerance.

We call on law-enforcing agencies to act quickly and stop all forms of violence in Yelwa before it spreads to other states. Security agencies in other parts of the North must also be put on red alert to thwart the possibility of reprisal attacks in other volatile areas. We charge the state government to institute a probe into the crisis and find lasting solution to it.

Finally, we appeal to Muslims in Yelwa town, those in Bauchi State as well as Muslims in the whole country to sheath their swords. Good Muslims must model their lives after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who taught virtuous lessons of forgiveness and forbearance.

Dr. Is-haq Akintola                                        Abdul Yakeen Williams
DIRECTOR                                     PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER