The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
says the United States is working with the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN) to create religious tension in the country.
MURIC said this while condemning
the US’ designation of Nigeria as a country that has engaged in or tolerated
severe violations of religious freedom.
In a statement issued on Tuesday,
Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s director, described the role of the US in global
matters as “the height of double standards”.
The group said it is not bothered
by the US tag of Nigeria as religiously biased because that country does not
see anything good in Nigeria.
“We are not bothered by the US
latest ranking of Nigeria as religiously biased. Has the US ever seen anything
good about our country? Some foreign powers are always eager to discredit
developing nations. It is a game mastered by imperialists. We can see the
signs,” it said.
“America should do some
introspection. Those who claim to be the champion of democracy in the world
cannot in good conscience, beat their chests and say, ‘We have been fair to
all’.
“America complains to Nigeria
that Christians are being killed even when it is well known that Muslims are
the greatest victims of the killings. America invited former CAN president to
address congress a few years ago. But no Muslim leader has ever been invited to
the same platform. Yet America has been using the lies told before congress to
judge our country. Is this fair?
“Muslims of Southern Nigeria have
been complaining of persecution for decades but America turned its deaf ears.
America pretends nothing is happening to Nigerian Muslims even when the Muslim
girl child is locked out of school over an ordinary headscarf which is even
allowed in US schools.”
MURIC also said CAN has swallowed
the bait of “religious persecution” which the US uses in international
politics.
“CAN has only manifested its
naivety in modern international politics. The US has thrown religious
persecution as a bait. Unfortunately CAN has swallowed it, hook, line and
sinker,” it said.
“Our message to CAN is this,
allow America to set fire to your country and we can assure you that it is not
the Muslims alone who will face turmoil. Whether to avoid foreign interference
in your country and live in peace with your Muslim neighbours while you watch
your children and grandchildren play peacefully in the garden or to open the
doors wide for an army of occupation which will bring general pandemonium, the
choice is yours.
“CAN should remember that
religion or no religion, America’s national interest is America’s priority.
America has no permanent friends. Neither should anyone blame Americans for
loving their own country. The blame goes to those who open the doors of their
country for foreign forces to support them in eliminating or, at least, in
undermining their perceived rivals or oppressors.”
It likened CAN to a “mischievous
housewife who beats up the husband but screams for help”.
MURIC appealed to Christians “not
to allow CAN to set them against their own brothers”.
“We charge compatriots to verify
claims being made by either the US or CAN. We invite all Nigerians to manifest
the well known African hospitality to every American or Western citizen as
those individuals do not represent their countries’ tortuous diplomacy. We call
on Muslims to continue to exhibit love and care for their Christian compatriots,”
it said.
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