Oct. 13, 2013
As Muslims observe Id al-Kabir, the Muslim Rights Council has called on the Federal Government to establish, as a way of taking care of Nigeria’s army of unemployed youth, a social security system that ensures that every jobless Nigerian receives a token amount capable of feeding him.
In the alternative, MURIC said in a press statement issued today by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, feeding centers should be established in all local governments where unemployed people can eat at least twice daily.
“The youth are angry because they are hungry,” it said. “These youths now vent their spleen on fellow Nigerians through kidnapping, armed robbery and bokoharamism. Government must act now to reduce hunger in the land. The Nigerian police and army are already overwhelmed by the growing number of criminals in the country. Government should complement their efforts by tackling hunger.
The group pointed out that the crux of the lessons of the Salah lies in readiness to make sacrifices in the interest of others, willingness to fulfill promises and to implement agreements. It recalled the case of Prophet Ibrahim who, still childless at old age, pledged to Allah that he would sacrifice his son if Allah gave him one, and took concrete steps to actualize it.
“Herein lies a big lesson for Nigerian leaders and politicians who have formed the habit of reneging on their promises. Nigerian politicians take the electorate to mountain tops where they show them El Dorado which is often denied the people once politicians get what they want. Strategically relevant to this is the current shutdown of the nation’s universities occasioned by the Federal Government’s refusal to honour agreements reached with university teachers since 2009. This failure on the part of the Federal Government has resulted in unbearable pain for both students and their parents. It has also been a major cause of juvenile delinquency since the leaders have failed to lead by example.”
MURIC called on fellow Muslims and politicians to live in accordance with God’s wishes.
“This is a day that reminds that we need to be upright, moral and honest,” the statement said, adding that Muslims are meant to live a higher level of obedience to the creator and to the community.
“They should also understand that our purpose in life here is to live in obedience to the Creator’s will. MURIC calls on Muslims all over the country to use the Id al-kabir period to pray for the return of peace in the country. The prayer points should also include Allah’s guidance for Nigeria’s leaders and an end to disasters like aeroplane crashes, flood and the collapse of buidings.”
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Sahara
