The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has slammed the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for criticizing the closure of schools by four northern states for the observation of Ramadan.

The four states that gave the directive for school closure include Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi, where a sizeable amount of non-muslims also reside and operate schools.

Their decision was criticized by CAN which reminded the states that even in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), schools don't close for Ramadan.

However, MURIC Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, in a push back, said, “Four Northern states (Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi) have extended the closure of schools in their states to give Muslim students a stress-free Ramadan period. But the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticized the action.

“MURIC is bewildered by the insistence of CAN on playing the role of a meddlesome interloper in the affairs of Nigerian Muslims. Firstly, Ramadan is a completely Muslim issue. It involves no other faith. CAN should stay out of it.

“Secondly, Muslims are the overwhelming majority in those four states and the state governments in a democratic country like Nigeria should not deny the majority of Muslims what they wish. Furthermore, those four states have given the Muslim majority what they desire most based on the principle of ‘the greatest happiness for the greatest number’.

“CAN may want to learn more about allowing the majority to have its way from Jeremy Bentham’s ‘A Fragment on Government’ (1776) and his ‘Introduction to Morals and Legislation’ (1789). Those two books expatiated upon the principle of the greatest happiness for the greatest number. CAN may want to note that Muslim students are ‘the greatest number’ in those four states in this case,” Akintola said.

“How have the rights of Christian students been infringed upon in this situation? Did those state governments threaten not to allow them to resume after Ramadan? Were the Christian students asked to come to school every day during Ramadan to sweep and clean the classrooms? What exactly does CAN want? The apex Christian body should stop playing God in the affairs of Muslims,” Akintola said.

ASA