The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised alarm over what it perceives as a surge in Islamophobia in the Southeast region of Nigeria.
Expressing deep concern, MURIC criticized the alleged discrimination against Muslims, particularly in the handling of public holidays.
In a recent statement, the organization pointed out two universities in Enugu, the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) and the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, for conducting examinations despite the Federal Government’s declaration of public holidays for Sallah.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, condemned the actions, labeling them as manifestations of Islamophobia. He further accused the vice-chancellors of both institutions of insubordination.
The statement partly read, “These are acts of insubordination and outright disobedience on the part of the vice chancellors of both institutions.
“We expect the minister of education to take up the matter with them. Failure to call them to order will only egg them further to act arrogantly against the policies and decisions of FG in future.
“It has never been heard that a university based in the Muslim-dominated North conducted an examination or test during a Christmas or Easter holiday. Some authorities in the Southeast are out-Heroding Herod in their quest to persecute Muslims by all means
“Islamophobia is becoming rampant in that zone, but what is surprising is that, this time, it is coming from higher institutions where people are expected to be more liberal.
“Meanwhile, we are constrained to declare both the examination and the tests taken in both universities illegal, illegitimate, unlawful, and unconstitutional. They are ultra vires, null and void,” The statement added.
