EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE BANNING MUSLIM PRAYERS IN THE SECRETARIAT.

His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola on 15th of February, 2012
issued an Executive Order (No. EO/BRF/003 of 2012) titled:

“IMPROVEMENT ON SECURITY MEASURES WITHIN AND AROUND THE LAGOS STATE SECRETARIAT”banning Muslim prayers within the Secretariat. The Order
in paragraph 4 reads thus;

“All religious activities within the Secretariat are hereby prohibited, including the conduct of Muslim prayers behind the Ministry of Justice and behind the Ministry of Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations. All devotees are now to use the Central Mosque and the Chapel of Christ the Light respectively, which have been provided for these purposes.”

While we appreciate the proactive measure of His Excellency in protecting lives and property of Lagosians, thereby making life safer for everyone particularly with regards to the increasing and disturbing bomb attacks in the country by the BOKO HARAM terrorists (not Islamic Sect), we are deeply worried that the primary victim of the Executive Order are the Muslims.

We worry that while  the Governor has rightly and accurately identified the major cause for lack of security in and around the Secretariat as contained in the first paragraph of the Order, that:

“I HAVE OBSERVED WITH GRAVE CONCERN, THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE TO CHECK MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF THE SECRETARIAT, RESULTING IN A HIGH LEVEL OF HUMAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WITHIN AND AROUND THE SECRETARIAT”

Meanwhile, the appropriate solution has been identified by the Governor himself which is to beef up security to check movements in and around the Secretariat and not to deny the peace loving Muslim population opportunity to serve their Creator.

The Governor should appreciate and understand that the issue of the Muslim faithful working with the government going to the Secretariat mosque to observe their obligatory prayer  at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock is not really feasible or practicable as it may lead to a series of probable and unforeseen problems such as victimization of Civil Servants and cases of dereliction of duties amongst other problems. One of the tragic resultant effect of this Order is that many Muslim Civil Servants would cease from going for their prayers.

This Order would be a tragedy for Muslims in Government, for the Islamic faith and the Muslim Civil Servants.

MORE DISTURBING AND GRIEVOUSLY DISHEARTENING is the DEMOLITION ORDER dated 24th February, 2012 issued by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for the immediate demolition of the mosque within the Ministry!

Here in Lagos State the Muslims are peace loving people and the Civil Servants are responsible. The mosques are places to preach the fear of Allah, obedience, honesty, loyalty, etc, not a training camp for terrorists.

Tell Governor Fashola to please STOP THE BOMBS AND NOT THE MOSQUES, TO STOP BOKO HARAM AND NOT THE MUSLIMS.

Secondly is the purported plan on the ban on use of the Hijab in Government Schools. We are awaiting the official Order. Tell Governor Fashola, this cannot be his contribution for the development and progress of Islam and the Muslims.

THE ISLAM CENTRE

Tags: boko haram, fashola, islam, lagos, Nigeria