The Islamic human rights group, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has called on muslims across the country to observe a three-day special prayer for Nigeria’s political stability.
The prayer, the group said, should be observed by muslims from Tuesday, February 26 to Thursday, February 28, 2019.
Christians, MURIC urged, should observe a special prayer for the same purpose on Sunday, March 3, 2019.
The call was made on Tuesday by the group in a statement issued by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
“We appeal to all men of goodwill particularly opinion leaders, traditional rulers, etc, to rise to the occasion. We request for special prayers for peace and tranquility in churches and mosques throughout the federation. In particular, we urge church clerics to pray for Nigeria on Sunday 3rd March, 2019. We request Imams and their congregation to observe sujud ash-shukr between Maghrib and Ishai prayers from Tuesday 26th February to Thursday 28th February 2019 and to pray for political stability during those three days,” MURIC said.
Also, the group appealed to Nigerians, particularly, key political actors to show some restraint during and after the declaration of results of the presidential election held on Saturday.
The appeal, it said, came against the background of the altercations between the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the results of the general election held on Saturday were being announced.
MURIC warned that altercations among stakeholders were capable of increasing tension in the country.
It said stakeholders should understand that in any contest, there would always be a winner and a loser.
It said however, true democrats and men of courage and nobility would always be identified by their liberal disposition.
The group said only political fanatics would stand on the extreme edge and refuse to bend.
“In any case, INEC’s declaration of a winner is not the end of hope. Relief can still be sought in the courts of law up to the highest level. This is what we should do in order to prove that our democracy has not been stagnant afterall,” MURIC advised.
The group added: “MURIC invites winners to manifest humility and magnanimity in victory. For the sake of our dear country, Nigeria, we charge whoever loses in this election to display uncommon equanimity and unparalleled sportsmanship. This is necessary in order to inject a large dose of patriotism in young Nigerians. They are the politicians of the future. We must not leave a legacy of bitterness, intolerance and desperation in politics. The whole world is watching you.
“Islamic political thought identifies Almighty Allah alone as the sole giver of power. He gives whom He wishes and He takes power from whom He so desires (Qur’an 3:26). It is interesting that the two main contenders in this 2019 general elections are Muslims and they know the implications of this popular verse. Here is a chance to demonstrate the depth of our leaders’ faith. Is it vertically strong or horizontally inclined?
“We must consider the safety of lives and properties. Is our victory worth the blood of hundreds of innocent Nigerians? Is it worth the pandemonium that is bound to follow a crisis? Should Nigeria go the way of Rwanda or Liberia because we want to lead? We must ruminate over the humanitarian crisis which is likely to follow a violent eruption.
“We call on all stakeholders to eschew hate speech, incitement and all forms of provocation. We call on the youth to distance themselves from all acts of thuggery and hooliganism. The children of politicians are in London, Paris and New York. Why must we be used to kill and maim ourselves over simple political differences? Another four years will be here by 2023.”
