The Muslim Rights Concern and Christian Association of Nigeria have disagreed over the decision by four Northern states—Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi—to extend school closures for the Ramadan period.
While CAN expressed grave concern over the impact of the school closures on Christian students, labelling the action as discriminatory and a violation of their rights, MURIC issued a rebuttal to CAN’s condemnation of the closure, accusing the body of overstepping its bounds and exhibiting double standards in matters concerning the Muslim community.
CAN threatened to pursue legal action if the directives were not rescinded.
The association’s president, 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 Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, in a statement, called CAN a meddlesome interloper in the issue on 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.”
Stakeholders from various sectors have continue to weigh in, reflecting the nation’s complex interplay of religion, education, and regional autonomy.