The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has slated its protest over the hijab crisis at the International School, University of Ibadan, for Friday, July 12, 2019. The protest tagged: “Day of Solidarity”, is aimed at defending Muslim Girls who are facing persecution in South West Nigeria for wearing hijab. This protest was triggered by a video clip of the public harassment of some female Muslim students at the International School of the University of Ibadan (ISI).
MURIC declared the Day of Solidarity in a press statement signed and circulated by its Founder and Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. According to the statement, “Muslims are one nation throughout the world. The Glorious Qur’an specifically affirmed this in chapter 23 verse 52 where it says, ‘Verily indeed this nation of yours is one nation.’
“The hadith goes on to corroborate this when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘Muslims are like one building whose walls firmly support one another’. He also said, ‘The example of a community of Muslims is like the example of a man’s body, all parts of the body feel the pain whenever he is hurt.’ “It is in this respect and in response to several telephone calls and text messages sent to MURIC’s headquarters by concerned Muslims that we are declaring Friday 12th July, 2019 the Day of Solidarity in support of all those innocent female Muslim girls that are being persecuted in secondary schools in the South West, particularly the most recent, appalling, disgraceful and barbaric treatment of underage Muslim girls at the ISI, Ibadan.
“Firstly, we urge Imams throughout Nigeria and elsewhere to pray for victory for Muslim girls who are facing persecution for wearing hijab. Pray that Allah will give our daughters the strength of character to withstand their oppressors, downpressors, and repressors.”
“Secondly, Muslims all over Nigeria are to stage a one-hour solidarity rally in a peaceful manner outside their mosques carrying placards with messages of sympathy with the girls immediately after the Jumu‘ah service. Decorum should be observed during the rallies. Nobody should use provocative or abusive language and nobody should block the smooth flow of traffic or molest passers-by. Neither should participants go beyond the front of their mosques.”
“Thirdly, we appeal to all Muslims to wear white dresses on that day as a manifestation of peaceful intention and in order to display uniformity in solidarity. “As we wind up, we reiterate our commitment to peaceful conduct. We affirm that the declaration of a Day of Solidarity is just Stage One of our extension of dialogue. MURIC will make more announcements for the next stages as events unfold, particularly if the authorities still do nothing about our grievances. We remind the Muslim Ummah to remain resolute and to continue the struggle if MURIC’s leaders are arrested. Solidarity forever!”.
