The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised the forced conversion of a mosque into a market in Mangu, Plateau State, calling the action a threat to peace and a grave violation of Muslims’ fundamental human rights in the volatile state.
According to the organization’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Bungha Dawo Jumu’ah Mosque in Mangu Local Government was forcefully transformed into a market place following its destruction by Mwaghavul Christian militia.
According to the statement, the Dawo District officials were responsible for the despicable deed.
MURIC strongly denounces this behaviour. It is aggressive, extreme, and provocative. It’s the same as saying goodbye to tranquilly.
“By converting an existing mosque to a market place, the district authorities have declared to Muslims in the zone in particular and the rest of Nigeria in general, that they do not want any cordial relationship with Muslims at all.
“The destruction and forceful conversion of this mosque brings to mind the five evils that Chamberlain spoke about: brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution.
“MURIC calls the attention of the Nigerian government and the general public to this brutish act of aggression, particularly those who have been blaming Muslims of Plateau State for the endless violence going on in the state.
“We urge the state governor, political leaders and elders in the zone to intervene. Already, a Muslim group in the zone has demanded that the mosque should be rebuilt and handed back to the Muslims. We support this position. The desecration of a mosque anywhere in the world should not be trivialized.
“The destruction and conversion of the mosque to a market constitutes a blatant encroachment on the fundamental human rights of Muslims and a threat to freedom of worship in the area. It is also a dangerous precedent which must not be allowed to become a point of reference ”it said.
