4th December, 2021
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights group, has said it won’t stand akimbo while people of other religions attempt to intimidate Muslims.
MURIC made this known on Saturday while commending Governor Gboyega Oyetola for stopping the planned invasion of Iwo in Osun State by traditionalists.
The traditionalists had also planned to demand the removal of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi for what they called derogatory remarks about the deities. According to the group.
However, the plans were called off after the intervention of the state governor.
Reacting to the development, MURIC, via a statement signed by its director Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the traditionalists would have set an ugly precedent in the annals of Yoruba history if the planned protest was not aborted.
MURIC’s statement reads inter alia:
“We commend the state governor, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, the State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS), Osun State, for nipping the planned invasion in the bud. The traditionalists would have set an ugly precedent in the annals of Yoruba history. This prompt action shows beyond any reasonable doubt that the Oyetola administration is working and it is conscious of its responsibilities.
“For the avoidance of doubts, we will like to place it on record that MURIC respects the right of others to worship what they like. As a human rights group, we have never attempted to stop Christians or traditionalists from their ways of life. Anyone who has evidence to the contrary should produce it now.
“But at the same time, we will not stand akimbo while people of other religions attempt to intimidate Muslims by encroaching on their freedom to worship and liberty to ‘manifest’. As law-abiding citizens and apostles of dialogue, we will always use every legitimate means at our disposal to check the excesses of such people.
“We call for peaceful coexistence in Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria in general. No part of Nigeria can develop in an atmosphere of intolerance, rancour and distrust. Let us learn to live and let live. But most especially, let us respect the rule of law at all times. We must desist from using threat, blackmail or outright violence to settle our differences.”