January 1 is Christian holiday, declare Muharram 1st holiday for Muslims - MURIC tells govt - Newstrends
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January 1 is Christian holiday, declare Muharram 1st holiday for Muslims – MURIC tells govt

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MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola
MURIC Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic rights advocacy group, has urged the Nigerian government to declare the first day of Muharram as a public holiday, as it does every January 1.

This is contained in a New Year Message released by Professor Ishaq Akintola, the director of the group on Sunday.

According to the group, January 1 (New Year’s Day) holiday is a creation of a “Christian colonial government designed to dignify and cushion the pomp and pageantry of Christmas”. As a result, it contends that only the recognition of the first day of the Islamic new year can restore equilibrium and ensure parity, justice, and fairness.

The statement reads, “As usual, the Federal Government (FG) declared today, 1st January, 2023, a public holiday in recognition of the first day of the Christian Gregorian calendar. But because the day fell on a Sunday, FG created an alternative by declaring the following Monday (the day after tomorrow) a public holiday. It must be noted that the same thing happened in 2022 when the date fell on a Saturday.

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“MURIC issued a statement on this gross imbalance on 7th January, 2022. Today’s press release is a slight modification and a follow-up to our statement of 2022. A nation that gives full recognition to the first day of the calendar of one religion but ignores the first day of the other cannot be described as one in which there is equal right and justice.

“Christians are being pampered by the Nigerian government. Christian culture has been imposed on Nigerian Muslims. Christianity is being glamourised and idolised while Islam is being disfigured and demonised.

“The imposition of 1st January holiday without an equal declaration of 1st Muharram as a holiday is an aberration, a misnomer and a gross injustice because Nigerian Muslims have been demanding for the declaration of the first day of the Islamic calendar as a holiday for more than forty-three (43) years to no avail.

“It simply means that FG has been so badly blackmailed by Christian leaders that it has no option but to support the continued Christianisation of Nigeria. The Federal Government (FG) still considers the first day of the Christian calendar sacred while the first day of the Islamic calendar is regarded as unimportant. This is a spillover from colonial days when Muslims were forced to go to work and school even on Salah days. We say never again.

“Never again shall we go back to slavery. Never again shall we accept the religious apartheid slogan of ‘No holidays for Muslim festivals’. MURIC frowns on this lopsided arrangement. It is unfair, unjust and undemocratic. We demand an immediate review of FG’s holiday policy. We demand the declaration of the first day of the Islamic calendar as a holiday before this annual 1st January holiday can be justifiable. The declaration of today as a holiday is an act of injustice.

“Going down the dark lanes of history, it is important to note that the Christian calendar was established by Pope Gregory XIII (1502 – 1585), a Christian emperor, while the Islamic calendar was kicked off on 16th July, 622 C. E. (Christian Era) to mark the historical migration (hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah, where the Muslims faced persecution, to Madinah, where they found religious freedom.

“The decree which declared Anno Hijrae was promulgated in 639 C.E. during the reign of Umar bin Khattab, the second orthodox Khalifah (634 – 644). The Islamic calendar also finds divine expression in the Glorious Qur’an 9:36; 2:189; 10:5 and 17:12. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, therefore, the Islamic hijrah calendar is not a product of human machination and manipulation.

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“Being a product of a people hitherto repressed by the pagans of Makkah, the Islamic calendar is both a symbol and an instrument of freedom and liberation. Seen from this angle, all past and present efforts made by Nigerian Muslims for the actualisation of the hijrah holiday is, therefore, part of the struggle for the emancipation of Nigerian Muslims from the clutches of Christian neo-imperialism, oppression and persecution.”

The group said, “To strike a balance, we demand the declaration of 1st Muharram as a holiday for the Muslim Hijrah calendar. In the alternative or if the government thinks this demand is unreasonable, FG should stop declaring 1st January as a holiday. That is when we will know who has been benefitting from it and who has been losing and hurting.

“It is only when those who argue that the 1st January holiday is not a Christian holiday and that it is for all of us to accept the idea of cancelling the holiday that we will know that they are sincere. So let us start getting at the truth by dropping the 1st January holiday.

“The fact that many state governments in Nigeria have been recognising 1st Muharram (Hijrah holiday) for some years now and declaring the day as a public holiday underpins its relevance, significance and the correctness of the hypothesis of its proponents. Many core Northern states declare the 1st Muharram as a holiday every year. So what stops FG from doing the same at the federal level? Is it because Nigeria is a Christian State even though it has not been officially announced?

“Apart from the recognition given to 1st Muharram every year by core Northern states, it is noteworthy that the current Minister of the Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, a Muslim, declared Hijrah holiday in Osun State when he was governor. The late Governor Isiaka Ajimobi who was equally a Muslim, also declared hijrah holiday in Oyo State.

“But his successor, Seyi Makinde who is a Christian, refused to follow suit in his first two years in office until Muslims in the state forced him to do so in his third year (2021). Makinde also declared the 1st Muharram holiday in 2022 to assuage Muslims and get their support for his second term.”

“By the way, the next hijrah holiday will fall on 19th July, 2023, ceteris paribus. That will be the 1st Muharram, 1446. The next administration can still right this wrong. This earth planet will not tumble if it declares 19th July, 2023 Hijrah holiday in recognition of the first day of the Islamic calendar,” the group added.

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Deadly Boko Haram Attack on Adamawa Military Camp Leaves Soldiers, Civilian Dead

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Nigerian Military Troops
Nigerian Military Troops

Deadly Boko Haram Attack on Adamawa Military Camp Leaves Soldiers, Civilian Dead

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have launched a deadly attack on a military camp in Garaha District, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, leaving three Nigerian soldiers and a civilian woman dead. The attackers also razed a primary school and destroyed other key infrastructure, local eyewitnesses and community leaders reported.

The assault occurred late Saturday night, February 21, when the militants stormed the area, firing sporadically and catching security personnel off guard. Eyewitness Isaiah Yerima said the soldiers fought back bravely but were ultimately overpowered after insurgents launched a rear ambush through the Lar axis, leading to the deaths of three soldiers. A civilian woman was struck by a stray bullet while attempting to flee the gunfire.

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According to residents, the insurgents looted weapons, including an armoured vehicle, and set fire to the military camp before fleeing. “As I’m speaking, no structure is left at the military base except the Living Faith Church,” Yerima said, describing the scale of the destruction. The attack also destroyed the local primary school, further compounding the tragedy for the community.

Another witness suggested the military initially repelled the attackers but was overwhelmed by the coordinated assault from behind, highlighting possible gaps in security and the need for a thorough investigation. Community leaders and residents have urged authorities to strengthen the protection of vulnerable military installations and civilian communities in Adamawa State.

The Paramount Ruler of Huba land, Tol Barr Alheri Bulus, confirmed the attack and said that further details would be provided as they became available. Neither the Nigerian Army nor the Police Force had issued official statements at the time of filing this report.

This assault is the latest in a series of Boko Haram and allied militant attacks in Adamawa and other North-East states, which have repeatedly targeted communities and military formations, resulting in civilian casualties, destruction of property, and looting of weapons. Security experts warn that the persistent attacks highlight ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East, despite military efforts under Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt insurgent logistics and arrest collaborators.

Deadly Boko Haram Attack on Adamawa Military Camp Leaves Soldiers, Civilian Dead

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FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos

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John Onuwabhagbe Abebe

FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos

The Federal Government of Nigeria has instituted criminal proceedings against an Abuja-based medical practitioner and pastor, John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, over allegations bordering on ₦19 million fraud, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the alleged sale of human embryos.

Dr Abebe, a chief consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, is also a pastor with Living Faith Church, Durumi, Abuja. He is standing trial alongside his medical facility, Joje Abebe Hospital & Fertility Centre Limited, which was named as a co-defendant in the suit.

The criminal charges were filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory under suit number CV/005/26, by the Nigeria Police Force, acting on the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to the three-count charge, prosecutors allege that Dr Abebe unlawfully released the confidential medical records of Mrs Mary Manga to members of the public without her consent. The alleged act is said to contravene provisions of the National Health Act, 2014, which mandates strict protection of patients’ medical information.

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The prosecution further claims that the disclosure exposed the couple to severe emotional distress, public stigma, and psychological trauma, in breach of medical ethics and the defendant’s professional oath as a medical practitioner.

In another count, the Federal Government accuses the pastor-doctor of obtaining ₦19 million by false pretence from Mrs Manga and her husband between January and May 2025. Dr Abebe allegedly represented himself as a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), collected funds for fertility treatment, and subsequently converted the money for personal use, despite allegedly lacking the competence required to carry out the procedure.

The charge states that the alleged conduct constitutes an offence punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Most troubling among the allegations is the claim that the doctor sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients without their authorisation. Legal observers say that if proven, the allegation could make the case one of the most consequential fertility-related criminal trials in Nigeria’s recent history, raising serious questions about reproductive rights, medical oversight, and ethical enforcement in assisted reproductive technology.

The case is currently before Honourable Justice A. A. Fashola of the FCT High Court, Abuja. The defendants are expected to take their plea when proceedings resume, while prosecutors are preparing to call investigators, medical experts, and witnesses to testify.

The court is also expected to determine bail conditions in view of the gravity of the allegations and the broader public interest surrounding the matter. Legal analysts say the outcome of the trial could set a major precedent for the regulation of fertility clinics, enforcement of patient confidentiality laws, and criminal accountability of medical professionals in Nigeria.

FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos

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Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges

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Dr Sanusi Lafiagi, Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of Al-Hikmah University

Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges

Ilorin, Kwara StateDr Sanusi Lafiagi, Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of Al-Hikmah University, Kwara State, has explained why the holy month of Ramadan is spiritually unique, emphasizing its role in personal transformation, moral discipline, and societal harmony.

In an exclusive interview with PUNCH, Dr Lafiagi described Ramadan as a “month of mercy, spiritual rejuvenation, and character formation,” citing the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) who said: “Whenever Ramadan commences, all the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained.”

According to Dr Lafiagi, these divine conditions make it easier for believers to perform righteous deeds, avoid sins, and draw closer to Allah’s mercy. Beyond fasting from food and drink, he highlighted that Ramadan fosters self-discipline, effective time management, self-restraint, charity, and Qur’an recitation, which help Muslims manage their lives spiritually and morally.

“During Ramadan, believers learn patience, forgiveness, and restraint,” he said, explaining that even when insulted, a fasting person is encouraged to respond calmly, reinforcing moral discipline. He added that acts of charity, especially Zakat al-Fitr, purify the soul while assisting the needy in the community.

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Dr Lafiagi also addressed why many Muslims struggle to maintain spiritual gains after Ramadan. He explained that after the month ends, the “gates of Jannah close, gates of Hellfire reopen, and the devils are freed,” making it easier for believers to lapse into previous sinful habits.

“Returning to old habits does not necessarily indicate weak faith,” he said, “but it shows that Ramadan’s lessons were not fully internalized in the heart and soul.” He stressed the importance of carrying Ramadan’s spiritual benefits into daily life to sustain moral consistency.

The scholar highlighted Ramadan’s societal impact, noting that consistent lectures and moral reminders during the month often reduce crime, improve social cohesion, and create a safer environment. He stressed that the company one keeps, the social environment, and exposure to media play significant roles in sustaining moral conduct post-Ramadan.

Dr Lafiagi also urged Muslims to utilize key moments during Ramadan, including the last 10 nights, particularly Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power), where worship is rewarded more than in a thousand months. He emphasized the last third of every night for prayers and the giving of Zakat al-Fitr to purify the fast and help the needy.

Regarding exemptions, he clarified that sick, pregnant, nursing, and menstruating individuals may be exempt from fasting, but they should either make up missed fasts or feed the needy if unable to fast. “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity,” he reminded.

Concluding, Dr Lafiagi stressed that a successful Ramadan is measured not only by the intensity of worship during the month but also by the consistency of righteous deeds and obedience to Allah afterward.

Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges

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