The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind the proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) by a Federal High Court in Abuja on the request of the Federal Government.
In a statement released by its director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC says the government’s decision to proscribe Shi’ites was imperative and decisive owing to the group’s violent disposition and disrespect to constituted authority since the arrest and detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
“MURIC recognises the right of Shiites to practice their faith but strictly within recognized rules of engagement. Shiites must respect the Allah-given fundamental rights of their neighbors. They must genuinely renounce violence and pledge to stop the harassment of other citizens, review their revolutionary tenets particularly that which refuses to recognize federal and state governments.
It is treasonable to vehemently persist that they will only recognize an Islamic government based on Shiite ideology alone. MURIC considers the proscription of IMN as a decisive and necessary action.
Nigerians who sincerely want to see peace and stability must, therefore, give FG a free hand on this. Boko Haram would not have festered so badly had former President Goodluck Jonathan taken action when he should.”
