The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has applauded Governor Dikko Umar Radda for reintroducing Christian Religious Studies (CRS) subject in primary and secondary schools across of Katsina State.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the NSCIA said, “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni commends the acts of justice, fairness and inclusivity-all of which mirror the eternal precepts of Islam- exhibited by His Excellency, Dr Dikko Umar Radda, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, through the reintroduction of Christian Religious Studies in primary and secondary schools across the state.
“This development is worthy of commendation, especially as it conforms, once again, to the Islamic principles of equity, fairness, and justice,” it continued.
The Council praised the governor’s decision, noting that it mirrors “the eternal precepts of Islam.”
“The acts of justice, fairness, and inclusivity, all of which mirror the eternal precepts of Islam exhibited by His Excellency, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, through the reintroduction of Christian Religious Studies in primary and secondary schools across the state, are worthy of commendation, especially as they conform to the Islamic principles of equity, fairness, and justice,” the statement read.
The Council stressed that Islam does not condone persecution of minorities, recalling that during the early days of Islamic rule, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasised the rights of minorities and safeguarded them against oppression.
“It is common knowledge that the religion of Islam condemns the persecution of the minority in its totality. During the first century of Islamic suzerainty over Arabia, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasised the rights of the minority regarding freedom of belief and worship and strove to ensure that they were not only protected, but also safeguarded against persecution.”
While backing the teaching of CRS in Muslim-majority states, the NSCIA urged reciprocity in Christian-dominated States in Southern Nigeria. It specifically called on governors in the South-East, South-South, and parts of the South-West where Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) was reportedly prohibited, to emulate Governor Radda’s example.
Citing a long-standing case involving Muslim students at Rivers State University, the NSCIA accused authorities in the South of denying Muslims their religious rights. According to the Council, Muslim students and staff were barred from observing daily prayers on campus, prompting a Fundamental Rights suit at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division, in 2012.
The court ruled in favour of the students, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2017. However, the Council said the Rivers State Government, through its Ministry of Justice, appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court in 2018, where the matter has since remained pending.
“The case of Rivers State University, where the Muslim students and staff have been denied their right to assembly anywhere on campus to observe their five daily prayers, sums up the persecution of Muslims in Southern Nigeria,” the Council stated.
The NSCIA argued that Nigeria’s development is closely tied to the ability of political leaders to uphold justice and embrace pluralism. It urged stakeholders across the country to take a cue from Governor Radda.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the progress, development and advancement of the Nigerian nation are, and shall continue to be, ineluctably linked to the preparedness of the political class to eschew injustice, partisanship and abhorrence for pluralism in state governance,” the statement concluded.
