The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
has asked the federal government to return to the negotiation table in order to
secure the release of the only Christian among the 110 abducted Dapchi
schoolgirls.
On Wednesday, 104 of the girls were
returned to Dapchi by some Boko Haram members.
While five of the girls were said
to have died in captivity, Liya Sharibu, the only Christian among them, was
detained for allegedly refusing to convert to Islam or wear the hijab.
In a statement on Thursday, Ishaq
Akintola, director of the group, said the basis for holding Sharibu back is
“faulty and unIslamic”.
Akintola said the decision of the
sect to keep Sharibu captive was a move to divide Nigeria along religious
lines.
“We reject Boko Haram as an Islamic
group. We urge the leadership and members of the group to re-examine its
ideological base,” the statement read.
“Leah Sherubu must be set free
because the basis for holding her after setting her schoolmates free is faulty
and unIslamic. We charge (FG) to go back to the negotiation table in order to
secure the release of the only Christian girl among the Dapchi girls who is
being held back by the insurgents.
“FG should note that Boko Haram
is not as daft as many people think. By withholding the Christian girl, they
seek to divide Nigerians once again along religious lines.”
The group commended Sharibu’s
courage for refusing to bow to pressure in violation of her fundamental human
right.
“Our hearts are heavy with grief
over her plight. We salute her courage. Shame on Boko Haram for oppressing a
lone, vulnerable and helpless girl. Shame on all those who suppress freedom of
worship,” the statement read.
“We appeal to Nigerians to invoke
special prayers in the mosques and churches for this Christian girl who had the
courage to stare her oppressors in the face. We should also continue to pray
for the remaining Chibok girls.”
Nata Sharibu, Liya Sharibu’s
father, said he was that happy his daughter did not denounce Christ.
“They gave her the option of
converting in order to be released but she said she will never become a Muslim…
I am very sad but I am also jubilating too because my daughter did not denounce
Christ,” he had said.
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