Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned criticisms from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over closure of schools during Ramadan period in some Northern states of Nigeria.
The Muric’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola issued a statement on Monday, accusing CAN of interfering in the Muslim affairs and hiding under the protection of Christian Children who are limited in population in the North.
The President of CAN, Arcbishop Daniel Okoh has said on Sunday that the School closure decision disrupts academic activities and negates education as a fundamental right which should be protected, urging Governors in affected states to reconsider the policy.
In response, Akintola said CAN is playing the role of a meddlesome interloper in the Nigeria Muslim’s affairs, adding that RAMADAN is a complete Muslim issue which involves no other faith.
In his statement, “Four Northern states (Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi) have extended the closure of schools in their states to give Muslim students a stress-free Ramadan period. But the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticized the action.
“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”.
Futhermore, Akintola argued that Nigeria as a democratic country supports majority wishes and the decision is in favour of the Muslim masses in the affected states who desired happiness, adding that CAN needs to learn majority principle.
Read: https://afrocover.com/can-rejects-school-closures-for-ramadan-threatens-legal-action/
“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 of 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’.
“CAN may want to learn more about allowing the majority to have its way from Jeremy Bentham’s ‘A Fragment on Government’ (1776) and his ‘Introduction to Morals and Legislation’ (1789). Those two books expatiated upon the principle of the greatest happiness for the greatest number. CAN may want to note that Muslim students are ‘the greatest number’ in those four states in this case,” He said.
Moreso, Akinltola claimed that the Christian rights have not been infringed upon as claimed by CAN, citing instances to back up the claims.
“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,” Akintola said.
However, the Bauchi State Ministry of Education have also clarified that the changes in the academic schedule are part of a structured approach to balancing education with religious and cultural observances.
