Ramadan school closure: MURIC accuses CAN of double standards

Ramadan school closure: MURIC accuses CAN of double standards

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for opposing the decision by Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states to extend school closures for the Ramadan period.

In a statement issued on Monday, March 3, 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, accused CAN of meddling in Muslim affairs and exhibiting double standards when addressing religious issues.

CAN had earlier condemned the school closures, arguing that the move discriminates against Christian students and disrupts academic activities. CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, warned that the association might take legal action if the policy was not reversed, emphasizing that education is a fundamental right and should not be compromised for religious reasons.

However, MURIC dismissed CAN’s concerns, stating that Ramadan is strictly a Muslim affair and that the majority-Muslim population in the affected states had the right to make decisions in their best interest.

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“Ramadan is a purely Islamic obligation and has nothing to do with any other faith. CAN should stay out of it,” the statement read.

MURIC further argued that democracy supports the wishes of the majority and that governments in the affected states were simply acting in line with the preferences of their Muslim populations.

The group also accused CAN of hypocrisy, claiming that while it speaks out against policies in Muslim-majority states, it ignores the plight of Muslims in other regions.

“CAN’s middle name is double standard. It remains silent when the rights of Muslims in the South West are violated but is quick to complain when Muslims in the North exercise their rights,” MURIC asserted.

Questioning the validity of CAN’s objections, MURIC asked, “In what way have Christian students been denied their rights? Have they been barred from resuming after Ramadan? Have they been forced to perform menial tasks during the fasting period? What exactly does CAN want?”

The group urged CAN to respect the religious practices of Muslims and stop interfering in Islamic affairs.

 

Ramadan school closure: MURIC accuses CAN of double standards