The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has declared its support for traditional religion adherents calling on the Federal Government to recognize August 21st and 22nd as national public holidays to mark Isese Day.
This follows an appeal by the International Council for Ifa Religion, which urged President Bola Tinubu to grant equal recognition to traditionalists, similar to the public holidays observed by Christians and Muslims.
MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, in a statement on Thursday, described the demand as “just, legitimate and constitutional,” stressing that Islam supports freedom of worship.
Quoting the Qur’an, Akintola noted, “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion,” reiterating that traditionalists also deserve official recognition.
However, he warned that such recognition must come with accountability. According to him, Isese adherents must respect the rights of others and end practices such as unlawful curfews, restrictions on women during Oro festivals, public flogging, and ritual killings.
Akintola accused South West state governments of hastily recognizing Isese Day without addressing complaints of human rights violations, warning that granting the holiday without firm commitments could trigger religious conflict.
“We advise the Federal Government not to grant their demand for Isese Day until they provide a written commitment to stop all excesses. The ball is in Isese’s court,” he said.
