Islamic group reacts as NYSC suspends Christian corpers – TheNigerialawyer

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights
organization, has reacted to the expulsion of two female Christian
youth corpers from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp in
Ebonyi State.

MURIC declared support for the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN).

MURIC leader, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a statement on
Tuesday, said those expelled have the right to satisfy their
conscience regarding what to wear and what not to wear in
public.

“There is freedom of religion in the Nigerian Constitution and
NYSC is flagrantly violating Section 38 (i) and (ii) of the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. NYSC is behaving
like the notorious Gestapo. It is time to liberalise”, it said.

“It is not just a religious matter. Morality is involved here.
NYSC seeks to destroy our norms and values. Our sons and daughters
who were trained in good Christian and Muslim homes are stripped
nude when they go for NYSC. This is unacceptable. Something must be
done urgently if this is the mission of NYSC.

“It is absolutely wrong to force our daughters to appear in
short knickers in public. It is against strict Christian and
Islamic teachings. It is also an assault on the dignity of their
human persons. They feel humiliated. It is a big shame. NYSC is
flagrantly infringing the Nigerian constitution.

“NYSC was introduced to instill patriotism and discipline in
Nigerian youth. But what kind of discipline can NYSC instill in
corpers if the female members are instructed to wear atrociously
short knickers that expose sensitive parts of their anatomy to
prying eyes? This is a direct way of encouraging immorality and
corruption.

“We invite CAN to join us in the fight against corruption and
immorality. We can stop moral debauchery in Nigeria if we can all
come together. Greed, avarice, massive accumulation of wealth and
criminality will reduce drastically if Christian and Muslim leaders
speak with one voice against all vices. This is better for Nigeria
than being at logger-heads all the time.”

“We commend CAN leadership for speaking out in support of the
two Christian girls who wish to dress decently. Nonetheless, we
call CAN’s attention to the plight of Muslim female students who
are facing persecution in South Western schools on account of
hijab. It is a tale of two girls.

“The Muslim girl and the Christian girl from good homes. Both of
them wish to dress decently. They feel assaulted if they are
disallowed from doing so and they are both prepared to face the
repercussion for challenging the status quo.

“This is why we find it curious that CAN has joined issues with
Muslim parents who have gone to court to challenge tyrannical
school authorities in Ibadan, Abeokuta, etc who lock out female
Muslim students for using hijab.

“While the girls’ parents have gone to court to challenge the
schools’ illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional decisions, CAN
(which was not sued in the case) has approached the courts asking
to be joined in the suit as interested parties on the schools’
side.

“We find it paradoxical that the same CAN has asked the
Christian girls expelled in Ebonyi to sue NYSC. Now, how would CAN
feel if an Islamic organization should also approach the same court
stating reasons why the case should be thrown out?

“It is obvious that Muslims have nothing to do with the Ebonyi
case in the first place, so why join issues over it? But why did
CAN join schools sued by Muslim parents whose daughters are being
persecuted? Is it for Jacob or Esau?

“We call on the new director general of the NYSC to intervene in
the issue of the two Christian girls expelled in Ebonyi. Those two
girls should be recalled. We also advise the new NYSC leadership to
set the machinery in motion for a review of the NYSC dress code in
line with the issues raised by religious groups.”

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