Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has cautioned the Federal Government over attempt to Islamize the country, pointing out that Christians will resist any attempt to force the curriculum of islamic studies on students of tertiary institutions in the country.
The State CAN Chairman, Reverend Joseph John Hayap said who condemned the alleged Islamisation plot by the President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration said that “Government Institutions Must Stop Acts that can Trigger Religious Tension Among Students in the Nation”.
Hayab who raised an alarm on recent introduction of Islamic studies to be made compulsory for Christian students in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria cautioned that “Government institutions must be seen to be neutral in the way they handle their admission processes and in the content of their admission letters.”
He said: “CAN Kaduna State frowns at a situation where Christians students are asked to pay dues that are for religious organisations that are not their faiths? Such an abnormality has led to the messages received, which has gone viral. Islamization or not, come to ABU Zaria and verify.”
According to the CAN chairman, “It began when the university allegedly made Islamic Law a compulsory course for Christian diploma students”, stressing that “newly admitted 2019/2020 Post Graduate admission captured Muslim Students Society dues in its break dawn (MSS dues N1000) compulsory payment for all Christians.”
Hayab argued that “even though the attention of the management of ABU was brought to the above misnomer and correction has since been made, but the mistake should not have occurred in the first place.”
Besides, the Christian clergy explained further that “although the error was observed and corrected the refund to Christian students who had earlier paid the dues was still a clouded matter.”
“It is in light of the above that CAN Kaduna is calling on all institutions of Government to respect religious sensitivity and be neutral in accordance with the nation’s constitutional provision of religious freedom”.
“We must not repeat mistakes or act in a way that breeds suspicion and doubt in the minds of citizens. The agencies of Government that are responsible for checking, correcting and enforcing sanctions on those guilty of these breaches must be seen acting appropriately, ” Hayab said.
