A Nigerian Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has expressed shock over what it referred to as a vitriolic attack against Islam by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Hasan Kukah.
In a statement on Monday by its Director Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC said
“We are shocked to our marrows by the vitriolic attack launched yesterday by Rev. Hasan Kukah against Islam as a religion.
“+The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese referred to Islam as a violent religion. He also surreptitiously called for a coup against a democratically elected government of President Muhammadu Buhari whom he falsely accused of nepotism.
“According to him, ‘…There is no way any non-Northern Muslim President could have done a fraction of what President Buhari has done by his nepotism and gotten away with it. There would have been a military coup…’ In other words there could have been a coup if a non-Northerner had practised nepotism like Buhari.
“This is a most irresponsible pronouncement and we will not allow it to go unchallenged. Kukah’s statement is reckless, inflammatory and unguarded. It is the most egregious, luciferous, serpentine and diabolical statement of the year 2020. Hasan Mathew Kukah is ululating from the wrong side of the pulpit.
“Kukah is in the habit of demonizing and demarketing any president who happens to be a Muslim. In particular, we are most disappointed that such a heavily prejudiced and explosive statement is coming from the secretary of Nigeria’s Peace Committee. His behavior is consistently inconsistent with his status.
“Kukah referred to Islam as violent but…is fully aware of the creed of those who waylay travellers in the Plateau region, killing all Muslims among them and dumping them in the numerous ponds and wells of the Plateau landscape, never to be seen again. We would never have known but for the General Alkali affair. How can those who train and arm cold-blooded killers turn around to call Islam a violent religion?
“Kukah calls for a coup because blackmail is not working with Buhari. But is Kukah aware that it will be a Christian-inspired forceful change of government? What was the result of the first of such in the country? Even Nzeogwu will turn in his grave at the very thought of a church-motivated coup.
“It is unimaginable that such venom is being emited during Christmas when all are expected to give love. Nigerians can see what is happening. We send messages of love to Bishop Kukah at Christmas. He responds with pent-up anger, contempt and hate-filled emotion. Is this proper?
“Kukah’s reference to a coup is a Satanic innuendo. We are aware that civilians have always been involved in coups in the past. Kukah’s interest is therefore not something new. But why is Kukah just inciting it? He should be man enough to spearehead it. Go ahead, Kukah, plan a coup. Who knows? You can be vice president. Dare to struggle. Dare to win.”
