The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has praised the justice, fairness, and inclusivity demonstrated by Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Umar Radda, through the reintroduction of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) in primary and secondary schools across the state.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the NSCIA expressed that this action is worthy of commendation, as it aligns once again with the Islamic principles of equity, fairness, and justice.
“It is common knowledge that Islam condemns the persecution of minorities in its entirety. During the first century of Islamic governance in Arabia, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasised the rights of minorities concerning freedom of belief and worship, striving to ensure that they were protected and safeguarded against persecution,” the NSCIA stated.
The apex Islamic body has, however, called for reciprocity in Christian-dominated areas of the country, urging the governors of the South-Eastern, South-Southern, and some South-Western states, where the teaching of Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) is prohibited, to learn from Governor Radda’s commendable example.
“While the NSCIA unequivocally supports the teaching of Christian Religious Studies in Muslim-majority states, it calls for reciprocity in Christian-dominated areas of the federation. The Council therefore urges governors in the South-Eastern, South-Southern, and certain South-Western states, where the teaching of Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) is banned, to follow the good example set by Governor Radda. The situation at Rivers State University, where Muslim students and staff have been denied their right to assemble anywhere on campus to perform their five daily prayers, exemplifies the persecution faced by Muslims in Southern Nigeria.
“The students initiated a Fundamental Rights application at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division, under Suit No: FHC/PH/150/2012, which was subsequently ruled in their favour. However, instead of restoring the rights of the Muslim students, the university and the state government appealed the verdict. The Rivers State Ministry of Justice lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal under Appeal No: CA/PH/614/2013, which affirmed the trial court decision in 2017. Likewise, instead of engaging in self-reflection and allowing the dictates of justice to prevail, the Rivers State Government, through the law firm of E. C. Ukala & Co., proceeded to file an appeal at the Supreme Court (No: SC/055/2018), which has regrettably not yet been heard.
“There is no denying that the Nigerian nation’s advancement, development, and progress are inextricably linked to the willingness of the political class to reject injustice, partisanship, and a blatant disdain for pluralism in governance. These principles were demonstrated in Governor Radda’s recent executive order. The NSCIA strongly believes that this is the path that all stakeholders in our nation should pursue as a categorical imperative.”
