Sukuk: MURIC condemns CAN’s accusation on Islamisation of Nigeria

-MURIC says Sukuk Eurobond is constitutional

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has condemned the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, over the group’s remark on the release of Sukuk Eurobond by the federal government.

Ishaq Akintola, President of MURIC, in a statement, on Thursday, said CAN’s position is “not only infantile, petty and overbearing but also spiteful and egocentric”.

CAN had on Tuesday claimed that the Sukuk was an effort to “Islamise” Nigeria unlawfully.

The statement, signed by CAN’s General Secretary, Musa Asake, also demanded that the laws and framework behind the bond be abrogated and threatened to seek legal redress if that was not done.

The group alleged that the Federal Government was attempting to sell the nation to Arab countries through the Sukuk Bond, insisting that the government had an agenda to islamise Nigeria.

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However, Mr. Akintola, a professor, noted in his statement that the government had released “Christian-oriented bonds for decades and the Muslims did not complain for once”.

He cautioned that the body should stop spreading misleading statements and inciting Christians against their Muslim brethren..

MURIC also emphasized that Sukuk is merely business deal and has no undertone of “Islamisation”.

“Let us eschew primordial sentiments. Sukuk is purely business. We advise Christians to take their destiny in their own hands instead of allowing warlike leaders to lead them into an unnecessary confrontation with Muslims every time,” the statement read.

“Our position is based on the fact that CAN has all it needs in Nigeria today because the whole system is Christo-Western: education, the judicial system, the economy, everything. There is nothing the Muslims are demanding now that the Christians don’t have already on a platter of gold. It must also be stated that the Christians do not need the things that the Muslims are asking for.

“Have they ever seen Muslims opposing a benefit going to Christians? We did not protest when you started going to Jerusalem even though we know that it is not mandatory for Christians. Why is it that CAN always cry foul each time we seek parity?

“We must now ask CAN why it is playing dog in the manger. Shari‘ah is not for them but CAN screamed until the roofs nearly came down. OIC does not hurt any Christian but CAN shouted to high heavens. Hijab is for female Muslims alone but violent envy pushed CAN to shout itself hoarse. Islamic bank is for Muslims alone but CAN labeled it Islamisation of Nigeria. Can CAN give us a list of those who have been Islamised since Islamic banking started in the country?”

MURIC declared false CAN’s claims of Sukuk as being unconstitutional, adding that it could be verified in court.

“How can laws made by the federal government be ultra vires? CAN is misleading Nigerian Christians. CAN should know what to do if it is unconstitutional. We challenge CAN to go to court today. It should not wait till tomorrow.

“If it is true that Sukuk implies Islamisation, then the stock exchange is imperialistic Christianisation. But almost the whole of Europe has embraced the Sukuk industry. This includes France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxemburg and Britain. Paris EUROPLACE established Sukuk as far back as 2007 and France has since established the Islamic Finance Commission. Germany issued its first Sukuk in 2004,” Mr. Akintola said.