The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed concern over what it perceives as increasing “Islamophobia” in the Southeast region of Nigeria.
In a recent statement, the organization lamented the alleged discrimination against Muslims and criticized two universities in Enugu for their actions during public holidays.
According to MURIC, the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) and the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, conducted examinations despite the declaration of public holidays by the Federal Government.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, condemned the action and said it is a manifestation of Islamophobia.
He also accused the vice-chancellors of both institutions of insubordination.
Part of the statement read: “These are acts of insubordination and outright disobedience on the part of the vice chancellors of both institutions.
“We expect the minister of education to take up the matter with them. Failure to call them to order will only egg them further to act arrogantly against the policies and decisions of FG in future.
“It has never been heard that a university based in the Muslim-dominated North conducted an examination or test during a Christmas or Easter holiday. Some authorities in the Southeast are out-Heroding Herod in their quest to persecute Muslims by all means.
“Islamophobia is becoming rampant in that zone, but what is surprising is that, this time, it is coming from higher institutions where people are expected to be more liberal.
“Meanwhile, we are constrained to declare both the examination and the tests taken in both universities illegal, illegitimate, unlawful, and unconstitutional. They are ultra vires, null and void.”
