The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Nigerian Army to immediately reopen a mosque at Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, alleging that its closure has disrupted daily prayers for Muslim soldiers, their families and civilian staff.
The organisation said the mosque had allegedly been closed since October 12, leaving Muslim worshippers in the affected area without convenient access to a place of worship.
MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, urging the Army Headquarters to explain the reason for the closure or order the mosque’s immediate reopening.
Akintola argued that the closure raised concerns about the constitutional right to freedom of religion, citing Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
He said the mosque served Muslim personnel, their families and civilian workers who needed a nearby place to observe their five daily prayers.
According to him, worshippers have been forced to consider trekking to the cantonment’s Central Mosque, which he described as being too far from their homes and residential blocks.
MURIC also questioned the closure in view of its claim that two churches within the same cantonment remained open and operational for Christian worshippers.
The organisation maintained that Muslim personnel should enjoy convenient access to places of worship, just as their Christian counterparts do.
It said the continued closure without an explanation would raise questions about accountability and fairness within the military establishment.
“Even soldiers are still human beings, and man is body, soul and spirit,” Akintola said, stressing that military personnel also needed spiritual support alongside their physical, material and social needs.
He argued that regular religious observance could complement the personal well-being of soldiers as they carried out their responsibilities of defending the country’s territorial integrity.
The MURIC director called on the authorities of Mogadishu Cantonment to reconsider the decision and restore access to the mosque for Muslim personnel, their families and civilian staff.
READ ALSO: Senator Umeh Pays ₦101m Tuition Fees for 549 University Students in Anambra State
10,000 Lagos Island Pupils Get Back-to-School Support
The organisation warned that keeping the mosque closed without providing a convincing explanation would amount to an abuse of authority in a democratic society.
As of the time of the statement, MURIC had not provided any response from the Nigerian Army explaining the circumstances surrounding the mosque’s alleged closure.
About The Author
