An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the postponement of the $1 trillion National Halal Presentation Ceremony, which was originally scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2025.
The group accused the Federal Government (FG) of spoon-feeding Christian leaders and succumbing to their blackmail. It also demanded a revisit of the exercise after proper consultation.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 31, 2025, the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC, also alleged that Christian opposition to the scheme was driven by Islamophobia, parochialism and primordial sentiment.
He said it is believed that the postponement was due to the objections raised by some Christian leaders.
“We strongly condemn this sudden postponement. More importantly, we denounce the demonisation of the halal system of economy. We also deplore the manner in which the postponement came about.
“It portrays the Federal Government (FG) as an administration keen on spoon-feeding Christian leaders and succumbing to their blackmail. We aver that Christian opposition to the scheme was driven by Islamophobia, parochialism and primordial sentiment.”
Akintola pointed out that Christian leaders exhibited the same basic sentiments when the idea of Islamic banking was proposed around 2010, calling it an attempt to Islamize Nigeria.
He expressed delight that, despite threats of hell and brimstone, the government of the day remained focused, and Islamic banking was eventually approved, with approximately four Islamic banks offering non-interest services today.
“The question we need to ask these Christian leaders who are afraid of their own shadows is ‘Has Nigeria been Islamised since the introduction of Islamic banking? Has a single Christian converted to Islam on account of coming in contact with an Islamic bank?
“Of all the infrastructural windows in Nigeria today, the Sukuk remains the most effective. Yet the hullabaloo that erupted over sukuk was enough to bring the sky down at the time. Christian leaders swore it would happen over their dead bodies. But today, sukuk is performing wonders, and those Christian leaders are still alive.
“Westo-Christian economy, which is based on arbitrary interest rates, is retarding Nigeria’s economic growth. Nigerian banks, with their Shylock mentality, are asking for 30 per cent interest, while halal economy is based on interest-free business transactions. The difference is clear. FG should boldly assert its position and protect Nigerian businesses from neo-imperialist hawks.
“We are miffed that a government that boldly confronted the subsidy cabal suddenly developed cold feet at the launch of an economic policy capable of taking the country to El Dorado just because two Muslim-haters cried wolf where there is none.
“We have a situation here: FG just caught pneumonia because two Christian clergies coughed. This is not good enough. It is clear that Nigerian Muslims have become scapegoats in the present Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he said.
The MURIC Director lamented the clash of civilisations, saying it is unfortunate that the FG is pampering one over the other. He said the action is going to compel Nigerian Muslims to go back to the drawing board and restrategise. According to him, from all indications, it is clear that this interfaith thing is not yielding any positive results.
“All this talk about religious tolerance is not working because it is tilted towards a Christian domination agenda. Whereas the colonialists bequeathed a Christian-oriented administrative system, which should have been adjusted for balance after independence, Christian leaders always see Islamisation whenever an attempt is made towards inclusion. This is at the core of the controversy.
“Muslims will continue to demand the reflection of both cultures in every aspect of Nigerian life, be it political, economic, educational or otherwise. With the constant Islamophobia manifested by Christian leaders, even the blind can see the monopolistic propensity of our neighbours.
“Nonetheless, FG must not abdicate its fatherly role. It is the duty of a father to ensure equity in his treatment of all his children. This must be done in such a way that no child feels marginalised or abandoned.
“To this end, we call on FG to revisit the postponed halal policy. More robust enlightenment and consultation sessions will clear the fog,” Akintola said.
