NewStats: 3,263,937 , 8,181,955 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 08:35 PM 2r2222

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised the Federal Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for not providing free train rides to Muslims during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, alleging discriminatory treatment compared to similar provisions made for Christians during Christmas.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the disparity as a reflection of broader marginalisation faced by Muslims in the country, even though the current istration is led by politicians of the Islamic faith.

“A strange scenario is currently playing out in the Nigerian socio-cultural landscape,” Akintola said. “Whereas the Federal Government offered free train rides during Christmas, it has maintained a pregnant silence on whether the same handout will be offered during this Salah.”

According to MURIC, not only were train rides provided free of charge during the Christmas period, but the gesture was also extended for over two weeks into January 2025. In contrast, for the Salah period, the NRC has only announced an extension of train services—services which remain paid.

“This extension cannot even scratch the surface. Neither is it comparable to the over-pampering luxury of the Christmas period,” Akintola stated. “As part of its corporate social responsibility to Nigerians, MURIC has a duty to interrogate the performance of government in this area. We note that there is gross disparity and astounding imbalance in the manner free train rides are declared for Christmas, whereas Salah attracts no dividends of democracy.”

Akintola further questioned the motives behind the policy difference, suggesting it reflects deeper systemic inequality in how religious groups are treated.

“Is free train meant for Christians alone? Who is in control of this government? Are Muslims really being carried along? Are we on a wild goose chase?” he asked.
“FG appears to be drumming it into the ears of Nigerian Muslims that equal rights in Nigeria is an illusion, a myth, a mirage.
“It appears that all religions are equal in Nigeria, but Christianity is more equal than any other faith. We have been politically marginalised, economically shortchanged and socially ostracised. We have a Muslim president on a Muslim-Muslim ticket yet we cannot enjoy the same social infrastructural facility that Christians are given on a platter of gold.”

MURIC called for a review of Nigeria’s public policies and practices, particularly those inherited from colonial structures, which it argued continue to favour Christian customs.

“We therefore demand a total and categorical overhauling of all religious matters like our weekend system, seasonal holidays, etc, that were fixed and skewed pro-Christian by the colonial master. We should have reviewed all these immediately after independence in 1960,” the group said.

While acknowledging the government’s powers to determine public policy, Akintola warned against what he described as executive insensitivity. “If this is an oversight, we demand an apology from FG. If it is deliberate and official arrogance and an exhibition of executive impunity, we will assume that the government is merely flexing its muscles.”

MURIC called for constitutional reforms and a rational reassessment of religious equality in public services, asserting that the current imbalance is untenable in a pluralistic society.

https://guardian.ng/news/free-train-fg-favours-christians-at-xmas-neglects-muslims-at-eid-alleges-muric/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKvzM5jbGNrAq_MuWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeXGQeiBImIEJF74cMzFoX_tHRveF6oBKJvYxFqxgur6OAu851EXtum3nF0rM_aem__Miml-aJ44k1V_lyrKa1KQ

This man too like wahala. Honestly

Somebody give this man a Toy-Train from Temu.

Maybe he go stop crying

Prof Akintola should stop sounding like a terrorist

Crycry baby 😄

It's really understandable why MURIC is upset about the train rides. When you see free rides for Christmas but not for Eid, it absolutely feels like a double standard. Professor Akintola makes a strong point about fairness, and it's especially jarring when the government is led by Muslims.
This isn't just about train tickets; it's about feeling equally valued in your own country. The government really needs to explain this disparity or, better yet, fix it to show all Nigerians that they're treated with the same respect and consideration.

Mumuric don start again.

Akintola always find something to rant about…
That man doesn’t get tired at all.

Who cares to follow terrorist trap?

Whoever should just let the sleeping dog lie

Salah no dey busy like Christmas nah

That's bad . He has a point. What's good for Isaac is also good for Ismail...

SMH


Mtcheeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeee

Muslim-Muslim in the mud

keep deceiving yourselves

Mtchewwwww


Ori murife ti daru

When will the
FGN ban this MURIC of a thing?
Always whimpering religious sentiments.

MURIC is a terrorist!

You can make your own provision for your people.

After ALL na national cake

He is a content creator like Simon Ekpa

Did you notice that MURIC kept mum when Saudi threw Gumi back to Nigeria , is train ride more important than Hajj or is MURIC no longer fighting for Muslims right again
And when Saudi send this one too back to 9ja we go talk say dem no like black Muslims .
MURIC & Gunmi should be enjoying watery beans by now if Nigeria is not a terrorist state

What is good for Christians during Xmas celebration, should also be accorded to Muslims in Ileya celebration. Muslims are the most tolerance people in world.

Bestwt001:
It's really understandable why MURIC is upset about the train rides. When you see free rides for Christmas but not for Eid, it absolutely feels like a double standard. Professor Akintola makes a strong point about fairness, and it's especially jarring when the government is led by Muslims.
This isn't just about train tickets; it's about feeling equally valued in your own country. The government really needs to explain this disparity or, better yet, fix it to show all Nigerians that they're treated with the same respect and consideration.

Equally valued in your own country?
Yet we have a MUMU ticket in aso rock.

Guy please!

MURIC sha wants to chop ileya meat
Abi what is this notice me for