Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has accusing the Christian
Rights Agenda, CRA of seeking relevance and meddling in the affairs of Muslims.
This is after the CRA yesterday challenged MURIC and the
Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) to emulate Christian organizations in donating cash
and materials towards the fight against the spread of COVID-19.
MURIC’s reaction was contained in a press statement signed
by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola on
Saturday.
It said, “The Christian Rights Agenda (CRA) has overstepped
its bounds. It has no business prying into what Islamic organisations are doing
about COVID-19. Cook your own soup. Let us cook whatever we have capacity for.
“Why peep into your neighbour’s kitchen or asking what he is
cooking? Peeping Toms hardly have good intentions. CRA’s reference to what
Islamic organisations are doing on COVID-19 smirks of self-righteousness.
“It is clear from all indications that CRA is seeking
relevance. Ordinarily, we would not have dignified it with a response because
Proverbs 26:4 says, ‘Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you
yourself will be just like him’. But again Proverbs 26:5 avers, ‘Answer a fool
according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.’
“How dare CRA ask Islamic organisations to emulate Christian
groups? There is nothing for us to emulate in Christian organisations. Don’t
insult us. Our ways are different. Islamic organisations do not make noise with
their gestures of kindness. Neither are we in the tithe league, the prosperity
gospel camp or the fake miracles confederation.
“Every Islamic group has been on its toes helping the
government as well as individuals since the outbreak of the pandemic. The
Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) has mobilized wealthy Muslims in the country and
many of them have responded to government’s request for support from the
private sector.
“They have also donated various sums of money to Islamic
groups to share among the underprivileged. We are aware of similar activities
being embarked upon by other Islamic groups like the Companion, the Muslim
Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), etc.
“On our part and unknown to many, MURIC has mobilized its
members and encouraged them to donate generously in order to assist vulnerable
members of the society in particular and those affected by the lockdown in
general. We tagged the operation MURIC COVID-19 Relief Fund.
“There has been good response and the proceeds have been
shared to various states in the country through the chairmen of MURIC branches
in those states (Kaduna, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, etc).
“Amounts donated are being announced on a daily basis and
those chairmen have also been reporting back to the groups for transparency and
accountability.
“The exercise is a continuous one and the campaign is being
pursued on MURIC’s social media platforms (23 whatshap groups, facebook,
linkedin, etc). The press has not been brought in because it is not necessary
to make noise about our humanitarian pursuits.
“It is meant for the needy in society in general. It is not
a jamboree. The world is facing a huge humanitarian calamity, and we are
expressing solidarity by giving out to victims. How does that call for a circus
show?
“CRA’s unsolicited inquiry is therefore audacious,
loquacious and repugnant. Paddle your own canoe, let us paddle our own boat. This
interference is aimed at scoring a cheap evangelical point but it has failed.
“These are people who look down on Muslims. There is no
cause for comparison between you and us. We do not preach prosperity. We fly no
jets. MURIC is not a business concern. We are a human rights ‘concern’ group.
Leave us out of your comparison parameter.
“CRA’s statement asking what Islamic organisations are
contributing to the fight against the spread of coronavirus came at the wrong
time. We call the attention of Nigerians to our neighbour’s attitude. We want
Nigerians to compare the statement of CRA to the one issued by MURIC last week,
dated 27th March, 2020 and entitled ‘Coronavirus: Time To Come Together’
“In that statement, we called for unity among the various
religious leaders in the country. We said it was time for all of us to come
together. We spoke about the need for us to think first of humanity and not
about Islam or Christianity. We laid emphasis on the fact that Coronavirus does
not discriminate between a Muslim and a Christian, a black man or a white.
“Anybody can see now who is being combatant. Let the records
speak for themselves. CRA’s statement is tainted with pride and arrogance. It
must be made clear that no Islamic organization is responsible to CRA or any
Christian group for that matter. So why are you issuing us a quarry? Who made
you Coronavirus police? You cannot teach us what to do. Mind your own
business.”
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