Don’t fix programmes during Jummah prayer period – MURIC tells UNIJOS

Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has advised the management of University of Jos to stop fixing programmes during the period of Jummah prayer on Fridays.

MURIC made the suggestion in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday.

Akintola noted that the Department of Pharmacy, Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, allegedly slated a lecture on Lassa fever for Friday, 26th June, 2026 between 12 – 2 pm.

He declared the timing of the lecture as provocative and illegal, adding that it is a stumbling block in the path to peaceful coexistence.

Akintola maintained that the institution should review the programme to ensure that the Jumu’ah period is neither encroached upon nor sandwiched.

Akintola said, “An internal memo allegedly emanating from the Department of Pharmacy, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), has reportedly slated a lecture on Lassa fever for Friday, 26th June, 2026 by 12 – 2 pm. The memo was signed by Sitlong Goodness on behalf of the chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC).
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“We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) regard the timing of the proposed lecture as an over-reach. Holding a programme in official capacity during Jumu’ah prayer anywhere in Nigeria is an exercise in illegality. The idea is not only provocative but a stumbling block in the path to peaceful coexistence.
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‎”The worst case scenario is more indicting because it presupposes that either the Department of Pharmacy, JUTH or the University of Jos itself (or all the above) are enmeshed in the serial encroachment on Allah-given fundamental human rights of their Muslim staff and students.
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‎”We advise the Department of Pharmacy, JUTH and, by extension the University of Jos to embrace the principles of religious tolerance and respect for the rule of law. Reckless manifestation of impunity regarding the rights of other religious groups is the fastest road to anarchy.”