LAGOS, Nigeria – The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the people of South West Nigeria to stop infringing on the religious rights of Yoruba Muslim traditional rulers. The group emphasized that every ruler has the constitutional freedom to live, practice, and be buried according to their Islamic faith.
The appeal was made on Monday by the organization’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who reiterated MURIC’s commitment to protecting the civil and religious liberties of Muslim leaders across the region.
According to Professor Akintola, Muslim traditional rulers have recently faced criticism for adhering to Islamic practices in personal matters such as worship, death, and burial. Critics, he said, argue that traditional rulers should strictly follow customary rituals. However, MURIC rejected this notion, affirming that such expectations amount to religious discrimination.
“We affirm the right of Muslim traditional rulers to practice their faith freely,” Akintola stated. “A Muslim king is often crowned while already being a devout Muslim. His faith does not change simply because he becomes a traditional ruler.”
He further noted that a Muslim monarch’s commitment to Islam does not affect his ability to lead fairly. “A king must serve everyone — Muslims, Christians, and traditionalists alike — with justice and balance. However, compelling him to renounce his faith or participate in non-Islamic rites is crossing the line,” he added.
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MURIC condemned what it described as attempts to force Muslim rulers to partake in traditional rituals or to be buried under non-Islamic rites, labeling such actions as religious coercion. The group also decried reports of forced conversions at traditional shrines, where families of deceased leaders are allegedly compelled to accept traditional worship.
“Such practices contradict Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of religion,” Akintola explained. “Yorubaland remains an integral part of Nigeria, and the Constitution is supreme.”
The group therefore called for an immediate end to any form of coercion, intimidation, or threats against Muslim traditional rulers. MURIC emphasized that while any ruler who wishes to embrace traditional religion has the right to do so, Muslim kings who choose to live and die as Muslims must be allowed to follow their faith without interference.
“Freedom of worship is a constitutional right — not a privilege,” Akintola concluded.
