Press Release: DECLARE 1st MUHARRAM PUBLIC HOLIDAY 5th January, 2008
The Nigerian nation has lost count of the number of religious crisis that has engulfed the country. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost while properties worth billions of naira have been destroyed. Probes instituted in the aftermath of such crisis have failed to get to the root of the causes of religious riots in Nigeria. Most probe panels have reported political motivation and stopped at that.
We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) agree that politicians may sometimes instigate the youth but something had rendered the youth vulnerable to instigation. We believe that unaddressed grievances particularly those emanating from the Muslims are the main motivation and the earlier the Nigerian nation started addressing those grievances the better for all of us. We note with dismay that genuine demands and grievances are often opposed even by those who are supposed to know better. Objectivity is often thrown to the wind while sentiments ride high. This allows the authorities to sweep such issues under the carpet.
One of such demands consistently made by the Muslims is the need to declare 1st Muharram (the first day of the Islamic calendar) an holiday. Nigeria has since colonial days observed 1st January of every year as public holiday even though Islam predated Christianity in Nigeria by more than eight hundred years. Several petitions have been written and submitted to successive Nigerian regimes to no avail.
MURIC hereby demands parity. We assert that the failure of government to give the Muslims an holiday on the first day of the Islamic calendar while the Christians enjoy same violates the law of natural justice and runs counter to the spirit of democracy which is equal opportunity for all. It also constitutes a threat to peaceful coexistence in a multi-religious Nigeria.
We call attention to the Federal Government’s involvement of various religious groups in interfaith dialogue for the purpose of creating an atmosphere conducive for peace. We remind the Federal Government that this effort will be an exercise in futility if it continues to ignore fundamental demands of Nigerian Muslims. The implication is that government has failed to give Muslims a true sense of belonging to the corporate project called Nigeria. Patriotism, peaceful co-existence, good neighbourliness, mutual love and understanding may therefore become empty propaganda.
Sound democracy is built on the golden principle of equal opportunity. We assert clearly, unambiguously and unequivocally that Nigerian Muslims have been robbed of equal opportunity if the Christians have access to a facility, a priviledge or a right which Muslims cannot use. What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. Future religious crises are avoidable if the authorities show genuine concern and address burning issues. Grievances have the propensity to grow into pent-up anger which eventually burst into violent reactions. Nigerians often look at the immediate causes of riots. We always forget stored up grievances which were pushed under the carpet.
One of the steps that must be taken by the Federal Government to ensure lasting peace in the country is to declare the Muslims’ first day of the year as a public holiday. According to a popular and authoritative Islamic website www.moonsighting.com, the first day of the Islamic lunar calendar for 2008 (1st Muharram 1429) will be Wednesday 9th January, 2008. MURIC implores the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a public holiday on that day as a mark of recognition for Islam in the country in the same way that Christianity is recognized by declaring 1st January of every year as a public holiday.
MURIC does not issue threats, neither do we talk tough. Our motto is ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’. In view of this and in view of the fact that the authorities have ignored this demand for so long, MURIC is mapping out plans to mobilize Nigerian Muslims for peaceful and legitimate action in next year (2009) should government ignore our legitimate demand this year. All Muslim children in public schools will stay at home on 1st Muharram 1430. All Muslim employees will equally stay at home while Muslim artisans, traders and market women will be equally involved. It will be an extension of dialogue. The boycott of schools and work by Muslims on 1st Muharram will continue annually until Government deems it wise to treat Christians and Muslims equally in all things.
Dr. Is-haq Akintola Mallam Abdul Yakeen Williams
DIRECTOR PRO |
