Religion

By Uzair Adam Imam

Investigations by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) revealed that there had been massive purchases and hoarding of paddy rice across the country by the suspected members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). 

A statement by the MURIC chairman, Kano State Chapter, Mallam Hassan Sani Indabawa, disclosed on Friday, calling on the Nigerian authorities to look into what it described as the ‘unwholesome attitude by the Christian association. 

The Muslim body also revealed that CAN is deliberately trying to create artificial food scarcity to discredit the Federal Government by making its efforts in the agriculture sector look like a failure. 

The statement read, “Series of investigations conducted by MURIC has revealed a disturbing trend of massive purchase of paddy rice across the rice producing belt, cutting across the three northern agricultural ecological zones of the country. Several reports from the field established that a huge number of strange people are massively buying the commodity in bulk in Kebbi, Niger, Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe states.

 “The eight northern states account for over 70% of the rice being produced in the country. Nigeria is currently the largest producer of rice in Africa with a production capacity of 5.0m metric tonnes per annum.

“With the onset of the current harvest season, the unusual high demand for the commodity has already spiked the price upwards, aiming for the roof. While farmers may be happy with a good price, however, the rush for the mass purchase of the commodity is enough to raise some genuine concerns.

 “Farmers and other stakeholders noticed an organized and coordinated purchase of the commodity in large quantity. From Kebbi State, down to Gashua in Yobe State, the story of the influx of people, mainly Christians, is the same. They came for massive purchases of tons of rice, both milled and paddy.

CAN make the purchase in large quantity

“Our investigations further point to a high likelihood of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) being involved in this orchestrated mass purchase of rice produced for all Nigerians particularly because the buyers in large quantities are all Christians. They come with their weighing scale and tons of money. It is very suspicious.

 “Apart from the existing aggregating centers, new ones have emerged where the commodity is bought at a higher price. This has already made the price of the commodity to jump up at an alarming rate.

“While farmers and local dealers are happy with the new buyers, many are, alarmed by the disturbing trend. Many of the “new rice merchants” admitted to have been mobilized for the exercise. While it is obvious that the ordinary farmer is happy that he is getting ready buyers, the discerning mind must ask the question: Why are they all Christians?

CAN is plotting against Nigeria, Muslims

“The questions begging for answers are: What is the game plan of CAN? Why is the Christian body desperate to make the bulk purchase and hoard the commodity? And why at this crucial time, a few months to the general elections? Their action has already created unnecessary fear and anxiety, as no one is sure of CAN’s motive.

“Is CAN deliberately trying to create artificial scarcity, or is the Christian umbrella body preparing for a worst-case scenario? Or is it trying to discredit the Federal Government by making its efforts in the agriculture sector look like a failure? We all know how food is being weaponized in modern conflicts. Is CAN driving Nigerians to a stage when everyone will be forced to go to church for before they can get rice to buy?

“We call on the Nigerian authorities to look closely into this desperate move. Both the apex body of Nigerian farmers, the Apex Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) admitted to the unusual demand and the unprecedented hike in the price of the commodity at the peak of this year’s harvest season. 

“The Federal Government should do the needful by preparing adequately and timely to forestall possible hunger due to mischievous hoarding of this essential commodity by some evil forces. FG can evolve a counter-purchase plan to save Nigerians from the Shylock merchants in CAN. We warn CAN to eschew any diabolical plan it may have with the massive purchase of the commodity,” the statement added.

By Dr Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad

My brilliant friend Dr Muhsin Ibrahim, who tries to mentor and guide many followers on social media, raised a concern about how some people announce death news on social media. I found the topic interesting, especially the responses it generated. So, I contributed my points of view which I am reproducing here for the benefit of others.

1. I think we should learn the ethics of announcing death to a relative and the general public. For instance, posting the news on sick beds or even a corpse picture is unethical and unprofessional.

2. We should be aware and sensitive whether we are the ones to inform others or not. For instance, I post this kind of news when the death directly affects me, a relative, close friends etc. However, some elders represent their areas and people respect and trust them.

3. We should be mindful of the time and how we announce if we are to do it. For instance, it was reported that one of the wives of the Prophet’s companion, whose son died, prepared him and dressed well before her husband came back. When he returned, she brought him food and had a marital relationship with him. After that, she asked him if someone kept trust in him and he now comes to take it, would he mind? He said no, it belongs to the owner. She now told him that Allah, that gave us our son, had taken him back. He now took a deep breath and started asking why you appeared the way you did until they had so and so relationship. She said to calm him down and allow him to submit easily to Allah’s will. Interestingly, they got another son who excelled among the companions in that relationship.

4. We should be ready and prepared, not panic always, and accept the sad reality. Since it’s the time of information and communication technology, and we use it for almost everything in our life, why not announce the death of our beloved ones? I rarely call on some people because after the closest relatives, neighbours and friends, as you have hundreds of contacts, it will be faster to let people know, and many people would tell you; I ATTENDED THE JANAZA because I saw your post. We know the benefits of praying for a person that passes away especially attending the funeral (Janazah) and seeking Allah’s forgiveness for them. We all want that, so there is no problem if we let people know with WISDOM.

5. We should pray even if we don’t type anything on a post, as Allah accepts a believer’s prayer. By so doing, we are actually attracting rewards to ourselves.

6. Since visiting the graveyard is difficult for some of us due to the situation we are in, the environment or other reasons, this may still remind us that death is inevitable. It’s coming to us all. It also sensitizes us to get ready and pray that it comes to us when Allah is pleased with us inshaAllah.

7. We should remember, one day, it’s ours, others will post, and we pray to Allah; whoever sees that, if he knows us, he will testify we lived a good life and have a good relationship with others and try to follow the teachings of our religion on all matters. May Allah forgive us, take our lives as faithful, and grant us your Rahma – Ya ArhamarRahimin.

Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad, PhD, wrote from Bayero University, Kano.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) frowned at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) decision to block Muslims from entering its camp to make a bank transaction or any other business in the camp located along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

MURIC also claimed that RCCG thwarts Muslims from entering the camp to check their WAEC, JAMB and other examinations.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola who frowned at the development disclosed this in a statement Monday and also demanded the relocation of examination centres from the RCCG camp.

“Our office has been inundated with complaints from Nigerian Muslims who have been denied access into the Lagos-Ibadan expressway camp of the RCCG.

“Among the complainants are Muslims who registered for the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as well as other examinations.

“Attempts by the candidates to enter the RCCG camp in order to check their examination centres are always rebuffed by RCCG security men who turn them back at the gates with clear messages that Muslims are persona non grata inside the camp.

“The second group of Muslims who are not allowed to enter are those who opened bank accounts in some of the banks located inside the camp like Eco Bank, Unity, Guaranty Trust Bank, FCMB, United Bank for Africa, Zenith and Access Bank. This ugly trend has been on for quite some time but the complaints have increased in number recently.

“It is even more interesting to note that those behind this obnoxious practice are Yoruba Christians while the victims are Yoruba Muslims. Those who talk about religious tolerance being rampant in Yorubaland have therefore missed the point.

“But the difference is the case in matters concerning religion where they operate as Christian or Muslim groups or as corporate entities. The same Christian teacher who lives in the same house with many Muslims without any problem is the same teacher who will snatch the hijab from the head of a female Muslim student in the school.

“Simply put, there is no religious tolerance in Yorubaland. That is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

“The RCCG camp saga cited above is one good example. RCCG has used opportunities at its disposal to build a big camp on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. It has also equipped the camp with necessary infrastructural facilities including a university, schools, clinics, banks, residential houses.

“MURIC acknowledges the right of RCCG to do all these but at the same time members of the public should be given access to them. Failure to allow that access robs RCCG of an important quality and role in social relations, namely, neighbourliness and service to the people. Afterall many other entities have such facilities and keep them open to the public.

“As a way forward, we demand, first and foremost, the relocation of all public examination centres from the RCCG camp. This camp should be delisted by WAEC, JAMB, NECO and other examination bodies for practising religious apartheid.

“Any individual or institution that applies to examination bodies to host examinations must give access to the public, particularly the candidates. Anything to the contrary is arbitrary and alien to the culture of education. A situation whereby candidates of a particular religion are shut out of the premises of the examination venue is unfair, unjust and unacceptable by any standard.

“We advise Muslims to stop going inside the RCCG camp. It is private property where Muslims are not welcome. Muslims residing in the vicinity should patronise banks and other business concerns located outside the camp.

“However, we warn that banks and other business concerns located within RCCG camp may start losing their Muslim customers if they continue within RCCG camp. Our advice to the banks id to engage RCCG authorities in dialogue on this matter,” Akintola said.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) reportedly stormed the enclaves of Boko Haram and slaughtered six of its members, whom the ISWAP described as “infidels”, on weekend.

This is not the first time, in an inter-rivalry clash, that the ISWAP carried out a successful attack against Boko Haram, causing the group huge casualty and loss of weapons.

The development is believed to have been dragging Boko Haram insurgents down to their knees as they continue to count losses from the clashes.

It was gathered that the ISWAP had stormed the enclaves of Boko Haram insurgents in Gajibo, a town situated 95km northeast of Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

The ISWAP once vowed to battle more with Boko Haram than even with the Nigerian troops, worsening the rivalry clashes with bloodshed.

A counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama, said the attackers also recovered five AK47 riffles from the Boko Haram terrorists.

Experts and analysts believe that the worsening of inter-rivalry clashes between ISWAP and Boko Haram may lead them to irreversible self-destruction.

By News Desk

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has congratulated the new governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), on his assumption of office. The group also felicitated with the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Habibat Omolara Adubiaro.

The statement, which was issued on Monday, 17^th October 2022, was signed by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

MURIC recalled that Muslims in the state had been politically marginalised in the past. It commended the new governor for deeming it fit to pick a Muslim as his SSG. The group, therefore, described the Oyebanji administration as one which prepared to herald a new dawn. It urged the governor to strengthen his position further by running an inclusive government.

The statement added that both Muslims and Christians have a lot in common as adherents of the Abrahamic faith. It, therefore, advised Governor Oyebanji to appoint more Muslims into his cabinet in order to draw Muslims in the state closer to his administration. Finally, we implore citizens of Ekiti State to cooperate with the new governor in order to take the state to new heights.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, a Muslim rights organization, has asked Polaris Bank to apologize to Muslims or face a boycott.

MURIC, in a statement released on Friday signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, issued an ultimatum demanding an unreserved apology to Muslims from the management of Polaris Bank.

The rights group said the refusal of the bank to tender an apology within seven days would make Muslim customers of the bank boycott the bank’s financial services.

Recall that The Daily Reality reported that in a leaked email to the bank’s members of staff, a supervisor at the bank, Damilola Adebara, had ordered the workers not to leave their duty post to attend Jumu’ah prayers on Friday.

Although the management had issued a statement stating that the supervisor acted in ignorance, MURIC is convinced and argued that it was a deliberate attempt to make the policies of the bank unfavourable to the Muslim staffers in the bank.

Part of MURIC statement reads: “Damilola Adebara’s mail is a flagrant contravention of Section 38 (i)&ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says, ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. The leaked mail was greeted with outrage, bewilderment and nausea among Nigerian Muslims. Unfortunately, the bank’s response to the concern of Muslims was not good enough. It was mild, vague, escapist and deceitful. Polaris Bank had said, ‘The said staff had acted in ignorance, and we have since addressed the issue internally.”

MURIC also said an unpretentious apology to Muslims and the suspension of the erring supervisor is the only thing that can remedy the situation and assuage the pains and trauma the leaked email caused Muslims.

“That apology should be tendered within seven days from today, Friday, 14th October 2022, failing which Muslim customers may start boycotting the bank. Nigerian Muslims deserve dignified treatment as homo sapiens compos mentis.

Secondly, the first offender, Damilola Adebara, must go on a few days’ suspension. There must be consequences for unprofessional behaviour. On her return from suspension, she must withdraw the memo sent to all Muslim staff,” the statement adds.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Many people were outraged by the Polaris Bank Ltd directive, Tuesday that laid a strong warning against its Muslim staff to desist going to Friday prayer.

The Daily Reality reported that there had been growing anxiety among the Muslim employees as the order did not sit well with them.

The management of the bank, in an email to its Muslim employees, said going to the mosque for Friday prayer contradicts the policy of the bank.

However, a statement issued and signed by the Group Head, Strategic Brand Management, Nduneche Ezurike, said the incident involved one staff and her supervisor and has already been addressed.

Customers’ rage

The management of the bank was under fire as the concerned citizens, who couldn’t make sense of the directive, threatened to stop using the bank.

Abdallah Aliyu Uba said, “We’re doing all the needful to successfully withdraw all our money from the bank.”

Idrees Omar stated, “Polaris bank beats the drum and definitely, our Muslim brothers, will teach them lessons. This carries strong messages to the bank that Islam in Nigeria is beyond intimidation.”

Shehu Bello said, “Polaris bank will receive our strong messages that, Islam in Nigeria is beyond intimidation by any means.”

Ayuba Musa Garba stated, “By God’s grace as of now I decided to stop using this bank”

Mas’udu Musa said, ‘By God’s grace as of now I decided to stop using this bank.”

I resigned from my work over the ban on prayer

One of the employees of the Dimond Bank, Yusuf Shehu, has recounted how he resigned from his job over a ban on prayers by the bank.

Shehu said, “This applies to all banks in Nigeria except Zenith and Union Bank.

“This happened to me during my days in Diamond Bank. I had to beg, kneeling for my supervisor before She could allow me to go and pray.

“One of my colleagues was issued a Memo like this too. In the Banking industry, you have to worship your Supervisor like a god. God forbid. It’s my reason I left too,” he said.

By Uzair Adam Imam

There was a growing anxiety in Polaris Bank LTD as Muslim employees were cautioned against attending Friday prayer.

The strong warning by the bank management was via an email sent by one Damilola I. Adebara to the Muslim employees on Tuesday, saying going to the mosque contradicts the policy of the bank.

The development, putting in mind that any citizen is entitled to a right to religion, does not sit well with many of the Muslim employees whose eyes gloated through the email in dismay.

One of the employees who spoke to The Daily Reality through a phone call said the same issue happened just recently with one female employee who was warned against going for the prayer by her Christian supervisor.

The email that goes viral reads: “It has been observed that on Friday, you leave your work desks to attend Juma’at service bearing in mind the impact of your absence on workflow and productivity of Yes Center.

“Kindly note that there is no provision made anywhere in the bank policy for employees to attend any religious activity during work hours.

“Going forward such permissions would not be granted on the Yes Center platform and any infrastructure of this directive would be dealt with accordingly,” the bank instructed.

A legal practitioner in Kano, Barrister Abubakar Saleh, told our reporter that the bank’s directive is against the constitutional provision of the right to religion.

He said, “The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has entitled any citizen the right to religion. For that, it is wrong for the bank to rob the employees of their rights and freedom of religion.”

Also, Sheikh Abubakar Ayuba Tangimi, lambasted the bank’s directive, saying Jumu’ah prayer is obligatory to any male Muslim.

He quoted, “Ibn Qayyum in his book Zadul Ma’ad said Juma’at prayer is compulsory to any Muslim adult. He was of the opinion that if anyone misses a single Juma’a prayer has wronged his creator.”

By Abubakar Suleiman

Many topics that have been generating rancour or heated arguments on Facebook or any other platform today have been discussed or debated exhaustively in the past. Lately, even if I have an opinion about a topic today, I do tarry a while before I write because I have this strong feeling that someone must have written virtually all the things I have in mind. This gives me the pleasure of saving myself the stress of writing; hence I mainly read opinions and sometimes laugh.

One such controversial topic raising dust today is the celebration of Mauludun Nabiyy (S.A.W). Some respected writers, ‘elders’ and creative minds took exceptions in discussing maulud and all it entails, particularly on social media. Maybe they find it counter-productive or think it won’t change anything because people will keep celebrating maulud and embracing anything that comes with it while others won’t celebrate it. Some would say regurgitating this topic or argument year in and year out is needless. I beg to disagree.

This logic or take, in my opinion, is flawed. The fact that some people will keep celebrating Maulud while others won’t should not make us shy away from discussing its legality, Islamically or otherwise, whenever the need arises. A replica of this kind of skewed opinion is Christians should not call Muslims to Christianity and vice-versa hence let’s just concentrate on politics and economy. Impliedly, da’wah is needless.

For sure, people will keep being Christians, Muslims, Atheists etc., and divisions in the understanding of religious diktats will continue till the end of time, but that shouldn’t hinder a sincere call or an honest critique of a creed, ideology or religion. It should also not stop us from enjoining people to do what we believe is good or the truth and forbid what we believe is bad or falsehood based on our understanding. I think discussions on religious matters, and even other matters, should be done with the utmost wisdom, refined words, and sincerity of purpose, and they should also be devoid of ad hominem.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was reported to have said: “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hands; and if he is not able to do so then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.” Yes, one should choose his audience wisely so as to avoid unnecessary ruckus, and one should know when, where and how to say the truth and even who to tell the truth. Thus, one must not force his/her ideology or creed down someone’s throat.

In his book, “Think Again,” Adam Grant espoused that “our opinions can become so sacred that we grow hostile to the mere thought of being wrong, and the totalitarian ego leaps in to silence counterarguments, squash contrary evidence, and close the door on learning.” In another place in the book, he informed us that, “wisdom is also recognizing that we are wrong more often than we’d like to admit, and the more we deny it, the deeper the hole we dig for ourselves.”

Therefore, we should be open to discussions around some ideologies we hold so dear and be willing to stomach an honest critique of these ideologies, especially when these discussions are premised on mutual respect, wisdom and verifiable evidence or facts. Overall, we learn more from these kinds of discussions and/or dispositions. But insulting or talking down on people with a contrary understanding of our ‘cherished ideology’ will only yield a fertile ground for extreme tendencies, and this will further push us away from objective truth.

Unlike political or economic views, you don’t just seek religious knowledge; you practise it and call people to it while you embrace patience in doing so. Consequently, it is not an effort in futility to engage people in such discussions. And what does one gain after discussing all the political or economic issues on earth and ending up in hell for going against a religious teaching rooted in Islamic primary sources of knowledge.

We seem to underestimate the power of information put out on social media platforms and the influence it carries. We have gullible people who join these platforms, and they could be lured into any kind of creed or sect. In fact, these days, more people get radicalised or lured into a sect through social media than the masjids. On these platforms, many people have had discussions with some people, and such has led those people to denounce or accept their religion, maulud etc. However, we can peacefully stay away from toxic discussions after putting out our understanding.

Therefore, it is not about proving to be more intelligent than anyone who holds a contrary religious view or trying to be the gatekeepers of heaven or hell. It goes beyond that. It is about discussing our differences for a good understanding of our religion. Let us simply embrace sincerity and decorum in our discussions while we stay away from toxic people who aren’t ready for honest and open discussions.

Interestingly, opinions or ideas could change due to contexts or circumstances. Over time, people learn from exposure, old age or new knowledge. We may find ourselves opposing some views or ideas we hold so dear today. Conversely, we may be less hostile to contrary views when we continue to seek knowledge or begin to rethink our stands on many issues in the future.

May Allah show us the truth and give us the conviction to embrace it, and may He also show falsehood and give us the courage to turn away from it.

Abubakar Suleiman writes from Kaduna and be reached via abusuleiman06@yahoo.com.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A Nigerian lady, Aisha Abubakar Hassan, has emerged as the second-position winner in the just concluded sixth edition of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Holy Qur’an Competition for women in Dubai. 

Fifty countries participated in the competition that was held from the 1st to the 7th of October at the Dubai Culture and Science Society.

Aindati Sisi from Senegal came first, while Aisha Abubakar Hassan from Nigeria and Shima Anfal Tabani from Algeria took the second and third places, respectively.

According to the organisers, the participants were women Quran memorisers with mastery of tajweed. They also have to be under 25 years old. 

The first position-winner received 250,000 dirhams; the second got 200,000 dirhams, and the third 150000 dirhams. Other participants who performed brilliantly in the competition were also handsomely rewarded.  

The Dubai International Holy Qur’an Award, DIHQA, hosts and organises the event for women worldwide annually.