The Muslim Rights Concern has vowed to “ go tough ” if the Federal Government fails to recognise the Islamic calendar, stating that it would employ civil actions to press home its demands.
It lambasted the Federal Government for recognising January 1 as New Year Day while allegedly ignoring the Islamic calendar.
MURIC also ordered all Muslims to observe a sit – at – home on 1 st Muharram 1441 as the beginning of their actions to ensure that the Federal Government recognises the Islamic calendar and declare the first day of the calendar as a public holiday
MURIC Director , Prof . Ishaq Akintola , in a statement obtained by Igberetvnews, said several petitions had been written for the Islamic calendar to be recognised , yet it had been consistently turned down .
He said, “Nigerian Muslims feel marginalised. The reality of the Nigerian situation has subjected Muslims in the country to religious segregation.
“January 1 , 2019 was declared by Federal Government in recognition of the Christo – Western Gregorian calendar. This happens every year.
“In essence, the government recognises the Christian calendar but spurns the Islamic calendar despite several petitions and appeals to it dating back to the 1960 s demanding recognition for 1 st Muharram as the first day of the Islamic calendar.
“In particular, MURIC has consistently made this demand at least for the past 10 years. This is religious apartheid.
“A society which desires peace must embrace justice and fairness. Justice is the soul of peace. Nobody can deny one and enjoy the other.
“It is this socio- economic imbalance that has been responsible for the absence of genuine and enduring peace in Nigeria. ”
The Muslim activist said the Nigerian government had subjected Muslims in the country to religious segregation.
He said Muslims had suffered under colonial rule , as every policy of the colonial master was designed to eliminate all vestiges of Islam.
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