Ramadan: We i’ll Do Anything to Stop Army, NYSC From Camping – Muslim Group
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
A Muslim group, the Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN), an umbrella body in Nigeria for National Council of Muslims and other affiliate Islamic organization, has threatened to do anything legal to stop the Nigerian Army and the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), from camping during Ramadan.
Responding to questions from journalists, at a press conference on Monday, National President of the group, Muhammad Lawal Maidoki, warned that should the army and NYSC, authorities defiles their request, they will do anything legal to stop them.
They equally vowed to call on Muslims to boycott the NYSC Camps and any other National activities of this nature that involve Muslims in Nigeria in Ramadan.
The group in their statement co-signed by its National President, Muhammad Lawal Maidoki and Engr. Ahmad M.Y. Jumba, National Secretary General, called on the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to immediately prevail on the matter.
“Wishes to remind Nigeria Government and its Parastatals such as the Nigeria Army and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that Muslims are part of Nigeria and indeed constitute majority of its population.
“The Council finds it imperative to issue this statement due to insensitivity of the Government and its Agencies on National Programmes and activities that concern all Nigerians; a typical example is the 76th Nigeria Army Regular Recruits Intake, Zonal Screening Exercise from 27th May-9th June 2017 in Ramadan 1438 On which successful candidates Will continue throughout Ramadan.
“Similarly, the NYSC is holding another Orientation Camp from 27th May – 17th June, 2017. This action will subject the Muslim Candidates and Corps members to unnecessary hardship and divert their attention from the required attention of every Muslim in Ramadan of spiritual attention/dedication.
“Participants may have to stop fasting or break it or fail to qualify in the Camp activities. We cannot understand why only Muslim sensitivities will be treated with lack of consideration.
“Therefore, we call on the Acting President His Excellency Professor Yemi Osinbajo to immediately prevail on the Nigerian Army and the NYSC to stop the Camps and shift the dates till after Ramadan.
“Failure to do so, may lead to advising Muslim leadership in Nigeria to call on Muslims to boycott the Camps and any other National activities of this nature that involve Muslims in Nigeria in Ramadan.
“We equally call on the leadership of the National Assembly to halt the Camp and call to order the leadership of the Nigeria Army and the NYSC.
“Further more; we are using this medium to call on all Paramilitary outfits and MDAS of the country to respect Muslim rights and values in the interest of peace and harmony. Even in the western countries where Muslims are Minorities their rights are respected and protected.” They added.
