Islamic Group, MURIC Asks Lagos State Government To Stop Luring Muslim Students
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic group, has accused the Lagos State Government of luring Muslim students into an annual Christian programme of the founder of the Christ Embassy Church, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, under the guise of humanitarian aid.
In a press statement released on Thursday, 30th November, 2023 by the Chairman of MURIC in Lagos State, Dr Busari Ademola, the Islamic human rights group bemoaned the attitude of the officers of the ministry of education in luring students to the programme through official invitation.
The statement reads: “We are deeply worried by the incessant luring of innocent muslim students to church programmes, particularly that of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. The programme as reliably investigated is sponsored by the cleric who, in conjunction with the officials of the Lagos State ministry of education, arranged the transportation of students to the venue. The students irrespective of their faiths are ferried to Christian programmes and deceived with gifts.
“This deceitful event has been on for more than five years. This year’s programme which is slated for December 3, 2023 is coined as ‘Invitation to Host Students in Commemoration of Birthday of their Principal, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’ through a school named Teens Voice Academy Lagos.
“This is unbelievable and unspeakable of ministry officials directing principals of public schools in the six districts to arrange students for such an event. Where is the correlation? On whose directives is this happening?
“Exempli gratia, a memo signed and distributed by one Mrs Oyegbile, K.O on behalf of TG/PS of District I, Agege, was circulated this week to school principals. According to the memo, four venues (Sango Senior, Keke Senior, Oba Sanni Komolafe Youth center and Palmtime Resorts) have been designated as meeting points for students to converge en route the venue. The circular also announced Mr Oladiti Oladele Olaitan as the programme coordinator whose contact (telephone number included) could be reached for any assistance.
“It is then crystal clear that the organisers and certain elements in the ministry, via educational districts are behind this programme to adulterate the faith of innocent Muslim children with Christian ideologies.
The statement continued: “However, even if we overlook the involvement of Christian children, taking Muslim children to a private function of a Christian pastor contravenes Section 38, Sub- section 2 of Nigeria 1999 Nigeria Constitution as amended which states that ‘No person attending any place of education shall be required to receive religious instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or observance if such instruction, ceremony or observance relates to a religion other than his own, or religion not approved by his parent or guardian’.
“We advise the concerned authorities to desist from this unconstitutional act, and stop luring Muslim children to Christian programmes. The Muslim teachers also are not to be coerced by school principals and assigned as supervisors to accompany students to church programmes.
“Lastly, we remind our leaders that religion is not by cohesion, our children must be spared of this neo-colonial practice. We are all Nigerians, live peacefully and let live.”
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