The 19 northern states chapter, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has implored the state governors, who ordered the closure of schools during the Ramadan fast to reverse the decision.
   
The Northern CAN said it had deliberated with Islamic religious leaders on the closure, and discovered that such a decision was not supported by Islamic injunction.
   
In a statement yesterday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Reverend Joseph Hayab, submitted: “From a global perspective, CAN in the 19 northern states and the FCT observe that in places such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where Islam is the principal faith, even as we speak, schools remain open during Ramadan, matching education with spiritual practice.”
   
Consequently, he added: “CAN in the 19 northern states and the FCT call on the states that have announced closures to copy from the Arab nations and do what is necessary to protect our kids from losing parity with their peers in other parts of Nigeria and beyond.
 
“What is more, the governments did not appear to have engaged in open and inclusive dialogue with educators, parents, religious leaders, and school owners, therefore violating the rights of others who may hold a different opinion on closing schools in the façade of observing the Ramadan fast.”
  
Hayab stated: “The attention of CAN 19 Northern States and the FCT has been drawn to the directives to close public and private schools in Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi states for five weeks for the Ramadan fast. Indisputably, CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT respect our region’s religious diversity and support the observance of the fast; however, we call for a deep reflection.

ALSO, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states, demanding an immediate reversal of their decision to shut schools for five weeks in respect of the spiritual exercise.
  
In a statement yesterday, the body’s National Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, described the policy as a “blatant violation of students’ rights to uninterrupted education.” According to Adeyemi, the decision would severely disrupt academic progress and unfairly discriminate against students of other faiths.

“We demand the immediate reversal of this directive, or we will be left with no option but to mobilise students nationwide for mass protests,” he warned. The spokesperson stated that NANS would explore legal avenues if the state governments failed to comply.
  
Adeyemi called on parents, educators, and civil society organisations to join in resisting the decision, emphasising that prolonged school closure would negatively impact students’ academic performance.

MEANWHILE, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a rebuttal to CAN’s condemnation of the decision by the four northern states of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi to extend school closures for the Ramadan period.
  
Its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, accused CAN of overstepping its bounds and exhibiting double standards in matters concerning the Muslim community.
  
MURIC’s statement, issued yesterday, called CAN a meddlesome interloper in the issue on the ground. The statement reads in part: “MURIC is bewildered by the insistence of CAN on playing the role of a meddlesome interloper in the affairs of Nigerian Muslims.
  
“Firstly, Ramadan is a completely Muslim issue. It involves no other faith. CAN should stay out of it.” The statement further emphasised the demographic context of the affected states.