As Ogun State marks 50 years of its historic journey, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Ogun State Chapter, calls on all citizens across the state, to reflect deeply on the path of inclusion, fairness, and justice in our collective development.
*While we celebrate the progress recorded in infrastructure, governance, and social advancement, we must also courageously confront the persistent and often unspoken marginalization of Muslims in government representation, public institutions, and educational spaces.*
*A striking example remains that Senator Ibikunle Amosun stands as the only Muslim Governor Ogun State has produced since the return of democratic governance,* raising serious concerns about balanced political inclusion in a state richly populated by people of diverse faiths.
This long-standing imbalance has continued to affect employment opportunities for qualified Muslims in some government establishments, fair access to political appointments and leadership positions, and the freedom of Muslim civil servants and students who face subtle and open persecution for identifying with their faith.
If Ogun State truly desires progress, unity, and sustainable peace, fairness must be extended to all irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or background.
*This awareness message was issued by the State Chairman of MURIC, Ustaadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao AAN AMC, and made public by the State Secretary, Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare.*
*It reads:*
*Ogun State at 50 is not merely about declaring a public holiday.* It is about celebrating purposeful leadership, guaranteeing the safety of every citizen, and creating a true sense of home and belonging for all who live and work within the state.
*MURIC Ogun State sincerely congratulates His Excellency, Governor Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, MFR, for the visible strides in development across various sectors of the state.*
However, as partners in the democratic process and stakeholders in the future of Ogun State, we respectfully draw attention to pressing concerns that demand urgent and sincere action, including the increasing number of abandoned and deteriorating roads across urban and rural communities, the growing crisis of unemployment among youths, which fuels frustration, poverty, and social instability, unfair political appointments and limited representation of Muslims in key decision-making positions, the continuous harassment of hijab-wearing Muslim students, and the intimidation of pupils in public schools by some teachers simply for expressing their religious identity. Yet some agents of neocolonialism are accusing Muslims of persecuting Christians. What an irony!
*We are deeply troubled that across most public schools in Ogun State, Christian Religious Knowledge teachers are readily available, while Islamic Studies teachers remain few and insufficient, creating an imbalance in religious education and denying Muslim students equal access to structured learning in their faith.*
*This raises a fundamental question:*
*Can a democracy thrive where equality of religion exists in theory but not in practice?*
MURIC Ogun State firmly believes that marginalisation weakens unity, while inclusion strengthens peace and development. A state that belongs to everyone must be governed with fairness to all.
We therefore call for balanced representation of all faiths in political appointments, boards, and state institutions, the establishment of a clear complaint and redress system for cases of religious discrimination, a state Interfaith Council or Religious Harmony Desk to promote dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence, equal employment opportunities in public service based strictly on merit, qualification, and competence, protection of students’ constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression in all public schools.
*We remind all stakeholders that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and these rights must not only be written in law but felt in daily life.*
MURIC Ogun State does not seek the dominance of one faith over another. Our call is for justice, dignity, and mutual respect. We remain committed to peaceful engagement, lawful advocacy, and constructive dialogue in the pursuit of a fair society.
*As Ogun State marks this golden jubilee, let it be remembered not only for ceremonies and celebrations, but for the courage to correct imbalances, heal divisions, and build a future where every child, worker, and citizen is judged not by faith, but by character, contribution, and citizenship.
Signed
Ustaadh Jimoh Tajudeen Alao, AAN, AMC,
Chairman, MURIC Ogun State Chapter
Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare
Secretary, MURIC, Ogun State Chapter.
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