DON’T ALLOW EXAMS TO CLASH WITH SALAH – MURIC

27^th May, 2025

DON’T ALLOW EXAMS TO CLASH WITH SALAH – MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised authorities of educational institutions all over the country to avoid slating their examinations for the Salah period. The group alleged that some tertiary institutions are in the habit of ignoring public holidays and scheduling examinations during Muslim festivals. MURIC described such practice as insensitive, repressive and provocative.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, 27^th May, 2025 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said:

“It has come to our knowledge that some tertiary institutions are in the habit of ignoring public holidays and scheduling examinations to coincide with Muslim festivals. This is aimed at causing Muslim staff and students as much discomfort as possible. This, without doubt, is insensitive, repressive and provocative.

“Such developments are capable of igniting tension in tertiary institutions at a time when the country needs peace for its various development programs.

“For instance, reports reaching MURIC says that in the last two weeks, the management of some Federal tertiary institutions caused uproars when they fixed their examinations on Salah day or a day before. Fortunately some of them have reviewed their timetables by postponing examinations till after the Salah. This is commendable.

“Internationally recognized festivals for which the Federal Government always declares holidays should be respected at all times. Anything to the contrary is not only insensitive, repressive and provocative, it is also illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional.

As Salah is expected to fall on Friday 7^th or Saturday 8^th June, 2025, tertiary institutions are implored to avoid clashes between their examinations and the Salah period. We advise a gap of at least two or three days between Salah and examinations in tertiary institutions.

“MURIC appeals to the authorities of all tertiary institutions in Nigeria for cooperation in the interest of peace and harmony, not only on the campuses but in the country as a whole.  Anything to the contrary will be deemed confrontational and it is not in the best interest of the institution. Dialogue, consultation and inclusiveness are an integral part of academic culture.

“Any examination fixed against Salah day will be seen as a calculated attempt to oppress Muslim students and staff on campus. By the way, can such institutions slate their semester examinations for 24^th, 25^th and 26^th December when Christmas bells are ringing and its carols rent the air?

“Any likely clash between examinations and Salah period can be easily detected and adjusted if global best practice is followed. Examination timetables are usually tabled before the Committee of Deans and the University Senate for consideration. Apart from these two respected academic bodies, the various unions on campus may be consulted before decisions are taken on sensitive issues like this in order to satisfy all righteousness.

“In future, we will have no option than to report the authorities of any tertiary institution, whether federal or state, that refused to respect public holidays, (particularly those declared for Islamic festivals) to the relevant ministry of education and the National Universities Commission (NUC). To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

#AvoidExamClashWithSalah

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).